Will travel, have job…

I was talking to a firm who has laid off some of their ranks in the last year or so. The firm is keeping close tabs on the outplacement of the affected attorneys, and confirmed my hunch that New York experience will have the most cache outside of New York. The associates that are willing to consider jobs in other geographic regions seem to be having the most success landing on their feet. Something for lawyers to continue to consider in these difficult circumstances.

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Stay the Course

I received one piece of useful advice last week which is applicable (and appropriate) not only to the financial markets but also to your job: “Stay the course.” Sitting across the desk from my financial consultant last Thursday, I was reminded again and again to “stay the course,” not dump my stocks, and trust that my 2006/2007 planning would pay off and be able to ride out 2008 without too much damage. It is hard to be patient when your 401K is tanking, but it is worse to panic and make hasty changes in order to satisfy your need to “do something.”

The same can be said about your job. Many associates, partners and counsel are facing layoffs or fear of layoffs as the year comes to a close, and there is a natural need (especially amongst lawyers) to “do something.” Don’t. If you have spent the past few years working hard, networking, pitching in, taking on new work, and operating at a high level of performance, stay the course. Continue to do the same. Trust that your reputation, which you have spent the last few years building, will protect you through the rough times at your firm. When rumors of layoffs are around, people sometimes panic and otherwise high performers can freeze in fear. Some will stop attending networking dinners; others will generally stop performing at their best because they become distracted by the market. It’s very much a deer in the headlights reaction. Don’t pick this approach. Likewise, be careful not to pick an approach which makes you appear panicked Instead, do your best to take note of what is going on in the marketplace, and then continue forward with confidence. Not only will this propel you through the bad times, it will likely propel others who interact with you — peers and clients.

A large part of what is going on in the marketplace is out of your control. Thus, if you have structured your career over the years in such a way that you currently maintain a strong reputation in your group, stay the course. There is some value in continuity. Keep moving forward with the faith that your “life plan” (like your financial plan) — if well structured over the last few years — will carry you through this rough patch.

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Self Help for Troubled Lawyers

Feeling anxious? Depressed? Has the ominpresent gloom of the country’s financial woes seeped into your soul? Did you fire your therapist so you could fill up your gas tank?

Give You Tube a try: http://www.youtube.com/

In knocking around this site, I have discovered that there is an answer and help available here for nearly anything on your mind. Some of it is garbarge, but some of it is actually useful.

This site can help you find a guru, try self-hypnosis, get expert financial advice for free, practice your abundance affirmations, or get a much needed laugh.

Lost your perspective on life? You can watch Randy Pausch’s inspiring last lecture in its entirety.

There seem to be a lot of people discovering religion lately and the angels are here to pray with you. You can try a power prayer with a Rabbi or an Evangelical. Whatever floats your boat. For the broken hearted or plain broke, there are healing meditations.

Need to hit the reset button on your attitude? Watch “Where the Hell is Matt?” Ridicule me if you wish, but this silly video of a guy dancing with strangers all over the world put a smile on my face. A strange feeling I recall as hope crept in. And a little faith as well that in the big picture, what are rough times for many people will ultimately become a memory.

We all need relief from the bad news and uncertainty swirling around. I do not know anyone who has not felt stressed out in some way lately. A brief distraction, hand picked to meet your needs, whether that is a laugh or a moment of comfort and perspective could be a welcome respite. And it’s free.

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