The fundamental difference between a young lawyer who is thriving and satisfied, and another who is dissatisfied and struggling, is not culture or environment—you’ll find both types of people at every firm. The difference between the two is mindset.

One has learned to enjoy the process, embrace the challenges of the day-to-day, and put the work in to get better. The other focuses only on the destination—the next rung on the career ladder. One feels in control of his or her circumstances, while the other feels controlled by them. One concentrates on creating value for others through his or her work, while the other concentrates on what value can be extracted from the job.