Subject: How do you feel about tradeoffs?

Tradeoffs are necessary. And they don't have to be a "necessary evil", they can be neutral (or even good).

Success Without Sacrifice

NEWSLETTER

Practical, lawyer-tested strategies for sustainable success in law and life.

In my early lawyering days, I believed success was about how hard you could hustle.


Worst of all, I believed tradeoffs were for those not willing to work hard enough. Which had me saying "yes" to almost everything.


Although I kept blaming my 90+ hour weeks (and abject misery) on the legal profession, my firm, and my colleagues, the real problem was me.


Specifically, my mindset.


Here’s what I’ve learned (that I wish I’d known sooner):

LESSON #1

Boundaries propel you to success.

About 4 years into my legal career, being a “yes” girl backfired.


Work was sloppy. I was a mentally exhausted mess.


And partners noticed.


One partner told me I couldn't be everything to everyone: I needed to start making real choices. She actually gave me a lesson on how to enforce boundaries at work (so, so embarrassing).


But guess what happened when I finally enforced those boundaries?


My energy was higher, work was better.


Again, partners noticed. I started getting higher-level work. I progressed more quickly.


Appropriate boundaries are necessary for getting to the next level. They are what guard your health, your priorities, and your standards.

LESSON #2

"Later" is a lie.

Waiting to become a partner before really enjoying life? Or for a specific origination number? Or for a case to finally settle? Or maybe just for “things to calm down”?


It doesn't work that way.


There is no magical “later” when everything gets better/easier.


Your choices today determine what your life looks like in the future. It’s up to you to create the life you want, starting now.

LESSON #3

Tradeoffs are a reality.

Every yes is a no to something else. Every choice you make has a tradeoff.


Even if you refuse to choose, there's still a tradeoff. But it's worse, because it's forced upon you (not chosen).


[This lesson was the hardest for me to accept.]


And here's the thing:


When you know what you want (and why you want it), you can get behind your tradeoffs. Even feel good about them. Because you know why you're making them.


That's what being intentional is all about.


The life you want, Friend?


It happens by choosing... Intentionally.


It's not always easy. But neither is allowing life to "happen" to you. When you choose, you're at least doing it your way.


XO,

Heather


P.S. Want some concrete strategies for living life this way? Check out the Life & Law episodes below. Although the podcast is on hiatus for the rest of the month, there are plenty of older episodes to catch up on.


P.P.S. I’d love to know what you wish you’d known sooner. Hit reply to let me know (your lesson might just end up on a future podcast or in a future newsletter).

A B O U T

H E A T H E R

Former BigLaw partner. Lawyer coach. Cancer survivor. Mom x2. Recovering overachiever.


I traded in my $2.5MM+ practice to help lawyers create the kind of success that doesn’t come at the cost of their well-being.


Learn more about me here.