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We are excited to welcome Mike Stetz, to Legal Marketing Blog; he is the managing editor at Cypress Magazines, which publishes The National Jurist magazine, the nation’s leading publication for law school students.

Mike has written an eye-opening article that outlines the state of happiness in the legal field. His findings are not just for law students. It’s for every lawyer who is unhappy and looking for a change. I caught up with Mike to get a behind-the-curtain understanding of his research. 

For those who haven’t read your article could you give us a quick overview?

Stetz: Sure, we wanted to see what makes lawyers happy. A number of studies show that lawyers suffer from higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse than people in other professions. So we wanted to see why that might be and to hopefully bring awareness to law school students about that. Our publication, The National Jurist, is aimed at law students.

When doing your research, what was most surprising to you?

Stetz:I was mostly surprised to find that money plays a very small role in happiness. A good number of lawyers make a good amount of money. It’s one of the reasons the field is attractive. It’s kind of funny because I’m a journalist, and one of the biggest complaints in our profession is that the pay is too low. But the experts I spoke with for the story noted how happiness and earnings aren’t highly related. Happiness comes from personal connections and a sense of worth. That’s why a number of researches have found that public interest lawyers report the most happiness. They feel they are making a difference in people’s lives. That’s not to say you can’t be happy in Big Law or private practice. The research didn’t show that. You can be happy in those jobs if you have a sense of autonomy and feel you are contributing to a greater cause. It’s these internal factors — not externals ones, including prestige — that bring a greater sense of self-worth and happiness.

What did you expect you would find?

Stetz:I did think I would find ample evidence that lawyers are unhappy. It’s a tough job. It’s combative. You’re constantly dealing with other peoples’ problems. The justice system grinds slowly. It can take years to settle one case. And then it might be appealed! In Big Law, you work a lot of demanding hours. You face a constant assault of emails, texts, phone calls — at all times of the day and night. I’ve interviewed enough lawyers over the years to know how taxing the job can be.

You interviewed Maia Aron, one of the lawyers I featured in my book: A Lawyer’s Guide to Creating a Life, Not Just a Living. What did you think of her insight?

Stetz: It was spot-on. She was a great example of how a lawyer can so easily become overwhelmed and unhappy. It’s amazing how it seems to occur. These are bright, hard-charging people who apparently lose sight of what makes them happy. Maia was such a person. She was super-successful. Indeed, you might wonder why should would be unhappy, given her accomplishments. But, as she told me, she felt empty. She needed to be a part of something bigger outside of her work. She was so focused on work that it was draining her self-worth. She wanted to give back. She wanted to be part of something bigger. So she started volunteering for a local Jewish organization and found a path back to happiness. It was inspiring to hear.

What advise would you give lawyers of all ages?

Stetz: Well, I feel kind of sheepish giving advice because happiness can be so elusive. I think the biggest thing — and it’s sometimes the toughest thing — is to reach out for help if you’re feeling unhappy or unfulfilled. I’m not talking about clinical depression or anything that severe. Rush, rush, rush to get help if you’re in that boat. I’m just talking about people who may feel that there may be more to life than what they’re currently experiencing. Don’t let it fester. You can’t be the best lawyer you can be if you’re not feeling good about your life’s work.

Mike’s findings may not be surprising to many of you, because you’re living it! I would tell you that if you are unhappy do something about it! You owe it to YOURSELF and your family.

(Here is the full article: National Jurist – Where the Happiest Lawyers Work)

Mike Stetz is managing editor at Cypress Magazines, which produces a number of titles, including The National Jurist magazine, the nation’s leading publication for law school students. Before this, he worked at the San Diego Union-Tribune, where he served in a number of high-profile writing positions, including metro columnist. Born and raised in Baltimore, he now calls San Diego home, for which he is very thankful.

Do something every single day, has been my mantra for many years. Why, because it’s much easier to commit to small tasks. And those small tasks can accumulate and become a tidal wave. As the saying goes, How do you eat an elephant…one bite at a time.

That is what business development can feel like… eating an elephant! It doesn’t have to feel that way if you do something every single day. So here is a 7-Day Action Plan to get you started.

In this 7 – Day Plan I present you with the tools to make marketing a lifelong habit. There are no lengthy sessions or hours of work…these tasks can take as little as 2 minutes (sending an e-mail) to as long as an hour (lunching with a contact).

For each day I encourage you to THINK about and ACT on a specific element of the process. I also give you a timely TIP that can put you on the right track…right away. Creating a new habit is not easy and it’s not instant, this will help you get started!

Day 1- Monday: LISTEN

THINK: In order to market yourself, you must first understand and define what makes you stand out from the crowd. As a lawyer, your name is your brand, and no one knows you better than your client. Listening to their feedback and realizing how they view your practice can help you focus on what’s really important.

ACT: Call three clients and ask them what they value most about your relationship and the work that you do for them. Take notes and try to be as open minded as possible.

TIP: Try to get detailed rather than general statements. Use follow-up questions and ask for examples. Hearing that your office is communicative is too general; hearing that your office updates clients on their cases on a weekly basis makes you stand out.

Day 2-Tuesday: ANALYZE

THINK: One of the most important first steps in marketing yourself is to identify and write down your “points of differentiation,” or the services and qualities that separate you from the crowd. Consider a unique area of expertise –or unique philosophy on business—that makes you stand out from the crowd. Figuring out what that is (or what you would like it to be) and how that benefits your clients can make all the difference.

ACT: Look closely at your client feedback from yesterday…you may be surprised. Using that information, write out three points of differentiation for your practice. Make these ideas the basis of future marketing efforts… and make sure people know about them!

TIP: Be specific and be creative. All attorneys say they return calls promptly. You may have a “2-hour” rule, in which all clients receive a response within 2 hours of a phone call or e-mail. All attorneys say they are experienced. You may have worked in your clients’ industry before you represented them.

Day 3- Wednesday: REVIEW

THINK: Your online bio could be a prospective client’s first impression of your skills and experience. By viewing it as more of a marketing tool than resume, you will be able to see places where a rewrite (or edit) could be useful. Think about what your client’s value about your background and the interesting details, memberships or cases that make you an expert in your field. Does everything in your bio have meaning to a client?

ACT: Read through your bio and ask yourself if it clearly communicates your points of differentiation… what your clients want to know. If not, make some changes. Keep it short, keep it informative and most of all write from the client’s perspective, not yours.

TIP: A bio is not a place to list every case, organization and committee you have ever been a part of; it’s a place to show clients how you can be of use to him or her. It should include your contact info, education information, a 2-3-sentence narrative, your most recent (or most important) cases and the organizations or committees that would be of interest to your clients. Show them that you have the knowledge and experience to help them with their issues.

Day 4 – Thursday: IDENTIFY

THINK: Once you understand who your client is, you can tailor your marketing to better reach them.  Is there a niche market you are filling (or can fill)? Is there a specific industry that could be drawn to your practice? Is there a demographic that you are consistently reaching? Cater to your client and new business will find you. Stay in that niche and momentum will build.

ACT: Look closely at your client roster and analyze what ties them together. Identify your client categories.

TIP: Are the majority of your clients in the construction business? If so, you now have a clear message (knowledge of the industry) to focus on and a clear audience to market to (trade associations, etc.).

Day 5 – Friday: RESEARCH

THINK: Now that you know your client, go out and find them. What organizations do they belong to? Who do they do business with? Following their lead can bring in new business and connect your practice to other decision-makers who may need your services.

ACT: Investigate the organizations that your clients are members of. Ask them what is important to them. Identify one to join and become active in over the next 6-18 months. Choose one where you can truly make a difference.

TIP: A local or national trade organization is a good place to start. That will expose you to a large group of potential clients who have the same interests (and needs) as your current clientele.

Day 6- Saturday: STRATEGIZE

THINK: It may seem impossible, but realizing the importance of making time for marketing is an important step toward success. Just as billable hours are counted and analyzed, so should your marketing efforts. Create goals, set expectations and reward performance…even if it’s simply you.

ACT: Set a tangible financial goal. Be specific and give yourself a measurable result to be accountable for. Plan out the steps you need to take to reach those goals. Do what you say you are going to do.

TIP: Use your new organization to help set your goal. Consider how your involvement can reap results. Figure out how to network and connect via that membership and figure out how to bring in 2 clients from those connections within the next 12 months (presentations count…they can result in referrals!).

Day 7- Sunday: JOIN

THINK:The only way to reach potential clients is to get in front of them. As we mentioned before, by becoming active in organizations that matter to your clients you learn more about their needs and can offer more specified services. What do you have to offer the organization you have chosen?

ACT: Join the organization you chose on Friday and since it’s Sunday, fill out an online application. Look around their site and figure out who you will make contact with tomorrow.

TIP: Making contact with an organization President or Board Member shows you are committed to involvement and helps you stand out among the plethora of members. The idea is to get involved and meet people who will learn to trust and respect you.

Now you have a 7-Day head start on your new business development habit. You have momentum going; don’t stop now. Keep making notes of the strategies that work, keep reaching out to contacts and keep emphasizing your points of differentiation.

Part of this article is an except from my Amazon bestseller, The little Black Book: A Lawyer’s Guide to Creating A Marketing Habit in 21 Day.

First—was 2018 what you imagined it would be? Oh, you didn’t really think about what you wanted to accomplish in 2018? You just went where the crisis-of-the-day lead you? From one overwhelmed day to another. Then when it was all over and you looked around, there was nothing in the pipeline? Panic set in and you got out there to get the work to start flowing again. Month after month it gave you a sinking feeling and you took it out on your family? Things started to pickup, after a while. Then the cycle happened all over again… From one overwhelmed day to another… over and over again.

In 2019, let’s stop the cycle. Think about what you want. Here are twelve questions to answer:

1. Is it time to make a real change? Change what you do and where you do it?
2. Is it time to find more harmony between work and family?
3. Is it time to grow your practice with intention?
4. How much revenue do you want?
5. How much time do you want to work?
6. How much time do you want to spend with your family and friends?
7. How much time do you want to take off?
8. Are you happy with the type of work you do?
9. If not what kind of work do you want to do?
10. Do you like the clients you work for?
11. If not, what kind of clients do you want to work for?
12. Is there enough happiness in your life?

Answer these questions as honestly as you can. The answers with help you identify what your big over aching goals for 2019 should be. Commit to 2 or 3 of them, and then you can start to add strategy to each of your goals in order to achieve them.  Goals without strategy are just dreams. If you have always said you would like to write a book and have never done anything to move in that direction; never put your thoughts down on paper, never attended a seminar on publishing, never researched the books in the same genre—for you to write a book is just a pipedream. On the other hand if you have done these things, you are on your way to accomplishing your goal.

Here are 3 rules to keep in mind when adding strategy and measurable benchmarks:

1. Set a timeframe: time of day, days of the week or time of month you will do something or expect something to occur. For example: Every Friday I will leave the office at 4:00 and plan activities with your family or friends. With the rigor it would take if I were catching a weekly business flight out of town.

2. Make a measurable commitment. For example: At every networking event I commit to having 3 meaningful conversations and end the conversions with a plan; get together for coffee or I will send the person something or introduce them to someone.

3. Keep a log or journal. It’s important to see the results of your commitment to your goals. When you can look back on your progress a couple of stumbles won’t be so significant.

When you create goals and strategy for your business and personal development it is important in 3 ways—it helps you to set your course, articulate your commitments and fosters a sense of accomplishment. Now tell me—who doesn’t want all that!

Everyday we look at our “To Do” list and it never seems to get smaller. It grows by the day. We try to prioritize our list. Everyone has hundreds of methods they’ve tried. And yet the problem persists. Maybe we are doing what Seth Godin points out:

Most of what we do at work all day is one of these three.

Fun: It’s engaging, it gives us satisfaction, people smile.

Urgent: Someone else (or perhaps we) decided that this paper is on fire and it has to be extinguished before anything else happens.

Fear-based: Most common of all, the things we do to protect ourselves from the fear we’d have to sit with if we didn’t do them.

Not on this list: important.

A day spent doing important work is rare indeed. Precious, too.”

Wow, important work! Think about that one. Are the things on your list impacting others, are you making a difference? As I write this I can’t help but think of the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida. The pride they must feel for doing the work they know is IMPORTANT. Mrs. Douglas would have been proud.