Audi A5 Coup convertible, ibis white exterior and chestnut brown
leather interior, six-speed manual transmission with quattro
all-wheel drive . . . This is the car I want to drive. Currently I
drive a Fiat 500 Pop, with silver exterior and gray cloth interior,
sporty and fun, but still economical and reasonably practical. How
to move from simple and stylish Italian to quality precision German
engineering? Such a move may require an interim duration in a Mazda
MX-5 Miata, preferably with a stormy blue mica exterior and beige
leather interior.
This is not a review for Car and Driver magazine,
although we could certainly have that conversation at the next
section council meeting. This short illustration is about
establishing goals and objectives. Moving from where you are, with
your practice, your client base, your relationships, and your
skills, to where you would like to be at various points in the
future. Setting goals and objectives in the short, medium and long
term enables attorney's to conceptualize what they would like to
achieve in a more manageable way, whether in solo practice, with a
small firm or a surrounded by hundreds of colleagues.
Establishing a schedule for goal setting helps to set a routine
and ensure goal setting as a practice, remains a priority. In my
practice I establish quarterly goals as well as annual objectives.
Breaking down tasks and ideas on a quarterly basis allows for me to
feel less overwhelmed with larger, more overarching aspirations and
setting annual objectives lets me stretch my imagination with a
full year to figure it out. Goals and objectives, can be financial,
earn 15 percent more, charge and collect higher fees, reduce
operating costs, etc. Goals can also be task oriented, review
current office management procedures, organize law library, update
contact lists.
The thrill and confidence that result from accomplishing goals
often builds motivation to continue to grow, expand and improve.
Motivation may come in many forms, larger revenues, more clients,
broader recognition, or in my case German engineering. See you on
the road!
Cynthia E. MacCausland is the vice chair of the
Massachusetts Bar Association's Law Practice Management section.
She practices in Norwood, concentrating in the areas of child
welfare, bankruptcy, family, criminal and consumer law. She also
provides representation under the Limited Assistance Representation
model.