In the daily life of a lawyer, events are scheduled that require varying degrees of preparation. Going to court, conducting a negotiation or mediation, interviewing a prospect, meeting with a boss or employee about performance and successfully marketing your services all require attention to detail. Every lawyer has an approach to the technical/action side of the task and focuses on effective, proficient preparation. Perhaps a checklist outlining areas to research, documents to review, or bullet points for discussion will be created in the process.
An element that is often ignored and can greatly improve outcomes is emotional preparation. We are, after all, human beings and our feelings, thoughts, intentions and expectations about how something is going to roll out affect what happens. Paying attention to your internal landscape is a habit worth cultivating. If you are doubting your value or skill, revisiting prior unsuccessful outings or telling yourself that it’s probably not going to turn out well, what part does that play in the results? How does your state of mind impact the outcome?
