Monica Parker

It's Time to Ditch Your Lawyer Friends

2008-10-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Heard enough bad news in the past few weeks? Let's talk about some good news! I'm hosting a FREE call Thursday, October 2...

"Ditch Your Lawyer Friends...the Secret to Propelling Yourself Out of the Law"

Who are you spending your time with these days?

Is it that same tired old group of lawyer friends who hang out at Happy Hour griping? I guarantee you that discussing the state of the economy and competing as to who has had the worst work day are NOT going to help you move forward.

It's time to kick your friends to the curb.

Alright, alright, you don't have to give them up completely. But a lot of you have told me while you can rely on these folks (some of them at least) for support, they're not so good at giving you creative ideas for making a change. In fact, their idea of creativity is changing practice groups and/or firms.

What if I told you that developing a new set of friends will not only help you build a bridge to your new career but also help you walk over that bridge to the other side--IF you follow my model.

I'm going to be revealing all on my one-time-only FREE teleseminar Thursday, October 2...

"Ditch Your Lawyer Friends...the Secret to Propelling Yourself Out of the Law"

And I promise these strategies are fun and easy (I know the time-honored third-grade technique of walking up to someone and saying, "Let's be friends" isn't so practical anymore).

Ditching your lawyer friends won't be the only thing we'll be talking about tomorrow though. I know a lot of you are dying to get out of the law but feeling like lots of stuff is getting in your way:

-Financial constraints. "Who would be crazy enough to leave the law at a time like this?" You'd be surprised. But even if you're not ready to leave just yet, wouldn't it make sense to start plotting your financial escape plan in advance? Just applying this one strategy can give you hope and excitement that will sustain you until you're ready to leave.

-Bone-crushing inertia. "How the heck am I supposed to get motivated about this when I can barely get out of bed as is and I'm overloaded at work?" Let me give you some relief on this one.

-Big stinking fear. "I'm too scared (of failing, making a mistake, getting it wrong, etc.) to make a change." I've got something on this call tonight for you too.

Let's get all the stuff that's getting in the way on the table and I'll show you some strategies for how to get around it.

You definitely want to get in on this, so reserve your spot now.

Can You Really Do Anything with a Law Degree?

2008-09-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate that oft-quoted saying, "You can do anything with your law degree," boy, did I see it in action at my alma mater, Harvard Law, this past weekend at Celebration 55: The Women's Leadership Institute.

Just take a look at the panelists on the panel on non-traditional careers that I moderated: an entrepreneur who creates legal portal sites, an author with a conflict resolution firm, a woman who owns a literary agency, another who has an executive recruiting firm, as well as a psychotherapist.

My panelists offered lots of inspirational words, and I'd like to share some with you:

1) Being bored "out of your skull" practicing law is a sign. A sign that it's time to consider leaving.

2) It's ok if your first job outside of the law isn't the right one. Where you ultimately end up is often a winding, weaving path you could never have expected.

3) Yes, changing careers is scary. And if you can just keep going in spite of the fear you'll find yourself in the place you were meant to be.

The Complete Lawyer Reviews The Unhappy Lawyer!

2008-09-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

The Complete Lawyer, the online legal mag that's distributed to several bars across the country, has a fun multi-media review of my book, The Unhappy Lawyer, in this month's issue.

There's an audio component at the beginning of the article (an interview with me), as well as a written review.

Here's the link:

http://www.thecompletelawyer.com/volume4/issue5/article.php?ppaid=10891

Enjoy!

Missed My Teleseminar Last Night? Hear the Recording

2008-08-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

I hope you were able to make it on the line last night for my teleseminar, “The Secret Behind Getting out of the Law and into a Life You Love.”

If you missed out, you can access the audio recording now at:

http://www.leavingthelaw.com/secrets-recording.htm

IMPORTANT:

To be fair, I need to let you know about the "exclusive invitation" I extended on the call.

I'm teaching a one-time-only, 5-part telecourse this September called "The 7 Secrets to Getting the Heck Out of the Law and into an Amazing Life."

It's completely different from anything I've ever done before, and it's going to crack the code behind my book The Unhappy Lawyer and reveal to you how to design the work and life of your dreams.

Take a look at what I'm offering at http://www.theunhappylawyer.com/7secrets.html. You need to reserve your spot now.

I hope to hear you on the first call on September 9th!

The Unhappy Lawyer has arrived!

2008-08-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce my book The Unhappy Lawyer: A Roadmap for Finding Meaningful Work Outside of the Law (Sourcebooks) is in print! My publisher sent me a big, fat box of books a few days ago. That means you can pick up your copy at your local bookstore or at Amazon.com.

A step-by-step guide to helping unhappy lawyers make their transition out of law and into work they love, The Unhappy Lawyer provides exercises, checklists, and resources every step along the way. One of the parts of the book I love best is that each chapter contains an interview with a lawyer who has left the law for greener pastures. You'll hear the stories of how they chose their new careers, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and the joy of pursuing work that fits.

Once you've gotten your copy and devoured it, I'd love it if you'd write a review for Amazon (5 stars always appreciated!). Just go to Amazon.com, search for The Unhappy Lawyer, and follow the instructions at the bottom of the page regarding writing reviews.

How exciting is this?!

New Publication Date for The Unhappy Lawyer

2008-07-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time this weekend celebrating the release of my book The Unhappy Lawyer with family and friends. But there was a twist. I planned the book release party to coincide with the release date of my book which was supposed to be July 1. But then I received an email from my publisher that the release date of the book is being delayed until September.

A book release party without the books. Huh. I decided that that wasn't a good enough reason not to party so we pressed on. To my delight, my publisher magically managed to get their hands on a few copies of the book prior to the event.

So what does that mean for you? If you've already placed on order on Amazon, just sit tight. The book is coming but it won't be until September. If you're waiting until the book is on the shelf at Borders and Barnes & Noble (although I don't know why you wouldn't go ahead and take advantage of the pre-order discount at Amazon), it'll be there in September.

As soon as I have a more definitive date, you'll be the first to know!

In the meantime, if you just can't wait, check out an excerpt from The Unhappy Lawyer at The Complete Lawyer, an online legal magazine. Here's the link:

http://www.thecompletelawyer.com/volume4/issue4/article.php?ppaid=9477

Ready to Make a Quantum Leap?

2008-06-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you've done everything you can to transition out of the practice of law, and been able to make a little progress, but haven't been able to leave to create the work and life that your soul desires?

Or maybe you don't want to leave the law just yet but you're extremely dissatisfied with your career and your life (or lack thereof), so you've done everything you can to fix the problem but haven't been able to bring about your desired goal?

Find out why folks are studying with David Neagle to leap over just these kinds of hurdles and create the work and lives they want.

Let's put it this way - I'm so eager to learn more that I'm going to David's live event in Las Vegas July 28 - July 31.

So I asked David if he'd be willing to do a call for my readers so that you can find out how to blow your own obstacles out of the water, and he agreed!

Join me and David Neagle on:
Wednesday, July 2
8:30 p.m. Eastern (5:30 p.m. Pacific)

For more details and to sign up go to: http://www.leavingthelaw.com/neagle.htm

Good news about The Unhappy Lawyer

2008-06-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

I just got interviewed for The Wall Street Journal Legal Blog about LeavingTheLaw.com and my soon-to-be-published book, The Unhappy Lawyer.

Check out the post at http://blogs.wsj.com/law/

Scroll down until you get to "What Holds Unhappy Lawyers Back From Leaving"

I was also recently interviewed by Melody Kramer of the National Association of Freelance Legal Professionals. The post is entitled, "Escaping the Legal Profession Is Becoming Its Own Business."

Here's that link: www.naflp.org

Lawyer-Turned-Entrepreneur

2008-06-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

You know I love reporting to you when I find lawyers engaged in new creative ventures. I've got a fun one for you.

Check out the The Brevelle Linen Company, created by former practicing lawyer Courtney and her sister, Jennifer. It's a handcrafted linens business--baby blankets, aprons, pin cushions, tea towels. How cool is that?!

I just took at look at their site and saw some of the most adorable baby blankets. And, boy, do the pincushions make me want to take up sewing!

Your turn: http://www.brevellelinen.com/

Lawyer in Transition

2008-06-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

After I get off a call with a client, I'm always thinking, "Man, I wish I could share what my clients are going through with the folks who read my newsletter and blog. Then my readers could see that they're not alone." Alas, those client calls are confidential, so I can't do that.

A few days ago, I was re-reading my journal entries from my "transition year." That's my term for the year I made the transition from law to coaching. It struck me like a horseshoe thrown at my head that here was exactly what I wanted to share with you from my client calls: the ups, the downs, the two steps forward, the five steps back, the angst, the triumphs, the doubts--all of it.

So I put together a special FREE report, "The Chronicles of an Unhappy Lawyer: A Glimpse of the Secret Life of a Lawyer in Transition."

It's a no-holds-barred, soul-baring, bird's-eye-view of my own shift from practicing law to an alternative career. While it's only one person's journey, I think it mirrors the adventures my own clients experience as they're making their transition.

If you'd like a copy send me an email at Monica@LeavingTheLaw.com

Is Making a Career Change Just About Common Sense?

2008-06-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

During an interview about my book, The Unhappy Lawyer, a journalist asked me how I would respond to criticism that the process I use to help clients (brainstorm career possibilities and ways to explore them, deal with obstacles, create a plan) is just common sense.

The question made me laugh actually. Sure what I do to help lawyers is common sense. And for those lawyers who are highly motivated individuals, they probably don't need my help. They apply common sense and move on to fulfilling careers.

But that's not the majority. The majority of unhappy lawyers swear they can do it on their own and a year from now, 3 years, 5 years they're still practicing miserably.

When you're wrapped up in work and life, overwhelmed with doubts, surrounded by obstacles, common sense approaches to making a career change seem like they're in short supply. Having a coach is very much about having a guide--someone to help you navigate through the rough patches and cheer you on when you experience uncommon success.

So sure you can you do what I do on your own. The question is, will you?

Site for My Book The Unhappy Lawyer Coming Soon!

2008-05-29T11:05:00.001-07:00

I'm having fun today creating a site just for my book The Unhappy Lawyer: A Roadmap to Finding Meaningful Work Outside of the Law (Sourcebooks, July 2008). It'll have some fun freebies, as well as a couple of tantalizing new programs to help you get out of the law and into a fulfilling career that pays the bills.

Just to give you a sneak peek: one of the freebies is a teleseminar I did on 6 powerful strategies to jumpstart your career transition.

The site should be ready to launch in a few weeks. When it's ready, you'll be the first to know!

The Power of Making a Decision

2008-05-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

You want to get out of the practice of law. You're sure of that. Are you?

I talk to lots of lawyers who talk about leaving the law and finding an alternative career they love. They daydream about it, talk to friends about it, do a little searching.

But they're not committed to it.

How do I know they're not committed to it?

Because they're wishy-washy about it. They do a lot of "on the one hand, on the other hand." Because they do more talking than taking action. Because any little (or big) setback and they collapse under the pressure.

The ones who are comitted to it are busy. Busy taking baby steps. Busy setting what we call a "drop-dead deadline" ("I'm out of the law by such date or I'll drop dead"--not literally of course.) Busy climbing over, under, and around challenges (after they give themselves a little time to panic, fuss, and rant over how hard it is sometimes).

They're not so different from you. It's not that have a definite offer in place. It's not that they have each and every detail worked out. They often don't have people supporting them implicitly either.

But what they have is a decision, a decision that come hell or high water they're going to make this career change happen.

That's the first step really. Making a definitive decision that you will find and pursue work you love that pays the bills.

Need some help with this concept of making a decision and not wavering from it? Check out www.davidneagle.com and sign up for his free 4-part audio course The Art of Success.

Summer's Coming

2008-05-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

Summer's coming and you know what that means. You get more focused on planning ways to get out of the office before 5:00 on Friday than planning your career transition.

"What's wrong with that?" you demand, "don't I deserve a break?" Absolutely you deserve a break. You deserve a permanent break from the job you hate.

As you know, work tends to slow down in the summer, which makes it the perfect time to redouble your efforts at making a career change.

You know how it is when things are hectic at the office. You barely have time to register your dissatisfaction with your job, let alone take any steps to leave the law.

Once the pressure's off, the tendency is to give yourself time off because you're exhausted from your efforts at the office.

Stop seeing it as an all-or-nothing proposition. You can give yourself some time off AND work on your career transition. In fact, my clients tell me that spending their down time exploring possibilities, immersing themselves in projects, and meeting new people gives them energy and makes them happy.

Make a commitment to taking 2 or 3 action steps from your career change plan this summer. Keep us posted here at the blog about your efforts so we can cheer you on.

Me, a Missionary for J.D.s? Hmm...

2008-05-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

I just want to share with you a comment that a recent reader of my email newsletter, Lawyers on the Move, sent me. He said that I was like "a missionary rescuing the aimless and groping J.D.'s." Gotta love it.

I always appreciate words of encouragement from readers. When you write a newsletter or a blog, you're often sending your words out there into the universe wondering if they resonate with anyone.

I know from personal experience that leaving the law can feel just as isolating. Wouldn't it be nice if there was someone who'd offer you a word of encouragement every now and then out of the blue?

That's what this blog is for! It's encouragement for you from someone who's on the other side of that transition and knows what it feels like to make that leap. If you're not already a subscriber, join us!

And whether you join us or not, your comments are always welcome, whether they are praise, doubts, or you're just in need of a good vent.

Lawyers Who Create on the Side

2008-05-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

I love supporting lawyers who have creative side businesses.

A commercial real estate lawyer, Aharon has a jewelry business called Kaleo Designs. I just comissioned Aharon to create a necklace for my mom for Mother's Day which my mom loved so much that she asked Aharon to create 2 sets of earrings to go with it.

I don't buy jewelry that often (and never rings) but when I checked out Aharon's site I saw a gorgeous ring I had to have.

Aharon also creates one-of-a-kind creations for brides and their bridal parties.

Check out her exquisite jewelry designs at www.kaleodesigns.com.

Just got an advanced copy of my book Unhappy Lawyer!

2008-05-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

My publisher Sourcebooks sent me a nice surprise in the mail today. An advanced copy of my book, Unhappy Lawyer. What makes it so exciting is that this is the first time I've actually held a copy of my book in my hand. It's an amazing feeling.

So now the advanced copies go to various magazines and newspapers in the hopes that they'll review it for their publications. Keep your fingers crossed for me please that everyone we send it to will be intrigued!

Changing Careers and How to Deal with the Fears

2008-04-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

I just interviewed Katy Piotrowski, author of The Career Coward's Guide to Changing Careers and career counselor extraordinaire. She shared specific tips and strategies just for unhappy lawyers looking to make a career transition.

Specifically I asked her:

1) What are 3 steps unhappy lawyers can take to get started making a career transition?

2) What are some of the top fears your clients experience and what strategies do you counsel them to use to get past them?

3) What makes the difference between a successful career changer and someone who stays stuck?

If you'd like to hear the interview, send me an email at Monica@LeavingTheLaw.com. I'll have a downloadable audio ready by this Thursday.

Do Lawyers Live in Fear?

2008-04-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

Fellow blogger, Stephanie West Allen, sent me the following article from Lawjobs.com CareerCenter. Would love to get your opinion.

Lawyers Live in Fear
James Dolan

"Our firm is ruled by fear," said Steve. "Hell, the whole profession is about fear. Fear of not billing hours, fear of not bringing in business, fear of losing business. Fear of not making partner. Fear of being in trouble with my wife for working too much, and, of course, fear of being in trouble with the partnership for not working enough." He stopped for a moment, letting his own words sink in.

"And it started in law school. The whole thing runs on fear. I'm sick of being afraid all the time."

Steve was talking about one of the unspoken realities of life in law.

Law practice is the military, and lawyers are the combatants. Some are pure strategists, poring in hushed offices over the contested terrain. They press their buttons at high altitudes and drop bombs on people they may never, personally, encounter.

Others are negotiators who bring differing factions together.

And others are plainly, clearly and undoubtedly foot soldiers whose job it is to do hand-to-hand combat.

Whatever level of engagement a lawyer has with The Other Side, he knows that this is win or lose, sink or swim, live or die. A lawyer's slightest misjudgment may be the beginning of the end.

Quite naturally, lawyers live in fear.

[To see the rest of this article, copy and paste the link below.]

James Dolan, M.A., is a professional coach and psychotherapist with 30 years of experience in private practice in the Dallas area. He works with lawyers and physicians in improving their business development communications, internal relations, and leadership and client-patient retention. His e-mail address isdolan.james@sbcglobal.net.

http://www.law.com/jsp/law/careercebter/lawArticleCareerCenter.jsp?id=1208861012756

What's Stopping You From Leaving the Law?

2008-04-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

What's all the stuff that's getting in the way of you getting out of the practice of law?

Richard Bolles (author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?") calls these the “Yes Buts.” “Yes but I can’t leave the law because I have too much debt.” I want you to write down every “Yes But” you can think of.

This is usually an easy question for unhappy lawyers to answer. They’ve got lots of reasons why they can’t leave the practice of law and they’re happy to tell you about them.

Why do I think it’s a good idea to talk about the “Yes Buts?” It may seem counterintuitive to list all of the reasons why you can’t change careers. But as I told an audience a few weeks ago, since all of that garbage is in your head, you might as well get it out! Otherwise, it’s going to paralyze you.

Once you get it on paper, you can see what’s real about it, what’s not real.

What are some of the common reasons people say they can’t leave the practice of law?

-Lack of money
-Lack of time
-Family responsibility
-Fear of failure, what others will say, making the wrong career choice, loss of status

See yours here? If not, add it to the list! It’s important to get them all down. Carrying all of those doubts around can be a pretty heavy load. The first step in lightening the load is to get them out of your system.

In my next post, I'll talk about what to do with them.

You Can Pre-Order My Book at Amazon.com!

2008-04-19T21:08:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share my excitement with you.

One of my brothers alerted me that my book is now listed at Amazon.com. To take a look, go to www.amazon.com. In the "Search" bar, select "Books" and type in "Unhappy Lawyer." Or you can just copy and paste this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Unhappy-Lawyer-Roadmap-Finding-Meaningful/dp/1572486708/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208664596&sr=1-1

You'll get a sneak peek of the cover, which makes me laugh. You can also pre-order the book (and save 5%). How exciting is that?!

There's something about seeing it at Amazon that makes it real. I can't wait to hold a copy in my hand.

Update about My Soon-to-be-Published Book Unhappy Lawyer

2008-04-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

I'm excited that my book Unhappy Lawyer: A Roadmap to Finding Meaningful Work Outside of the Law is coming out in July and thought you might like to hear a few details about it.

One of the things I love about the book is that it contains interviews with real lawyers who have left the practice of law and transitioned into fulfilling alternative careers. There's a lawyer-turned pastry chef who has her own delectable candy store. Lots of you are curious about what it would be like to work for a law school career services office--you'll meet a former practicing lawyer who's now an Assistant Director for J.D. Advising. How about a lawyer who's pursuing an acting career in Hollywood? And there are many more!

Inspirational and informative, the interviews show you how these lawyers made their career transitions out of the law and offer you words of wisdom as to how you can make your own.

I'll let you know as soon as I have the actual publication date in July. For now, I'm scrambling to get all of the elements taken care of, reviewing the copyedited manuscript, and dreaming up ways of promoting what I hope will be the definitive step-by-step guide to compel you to ditch your unsatisfying legal career for what the interviewees have--work with meaning, purpose, and passion!

5 Reasons Unhappy Lawyers Get Stuck in the Practice of Law

2008-04-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

I recently conducted a survey with folks who purchased my e-book, Great Escape from the Law: How to Find the Alternative Career That's Just Right For You. I asked them if they haven't made the transition, what's keeping them stuck? The results were pretty disturbing.

Turns out there are 5 major reasons unhappy lawyers feel trapped in the practice of law:

1. Maybe I need to give this law thing one more chance
2. I wish I had a trust fund but I don't
3. I can't put my finger on exactly what I want to do next
4. It's easy to get stuck in a rut
5. I know I need to do something but I just don't have the time

Want to learn more about these reasons and some strategies to get unstuck? Send me an email at Monica@LeavingTheLaw.com and I'll send you my latest free report, "Why Unhappy Lawyers Get Stuck in the Practice of Law and 5 Strategies to Get Unstuck."

Monica Gets Interviewed by The Blog Squad!

2008-04-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

While attending Adam Urbanski’s InfoProfit Intensive boot camp in Costa Mesa, CA I met two awesome women who make their living with blogs, The Blog Squad. After attending so many boring CLEs who knew training could be so much fun? Here’s the interview.

Got a Mastermind?

2008-04-03T07:42:00.001-07:00

I recently attended a conference in Costa Mesa, CA to build my business. It was wonderful. Not only learning about how to build my business but also being surrounded by enthusiastic, like-minded enterpreneurs. That's when I realized how isolated I was here in Atlanta, GA. And that I needed to do something about it--like starting a mastermind.

If you're feeling isolated in making your career transition, maybe you should consider one too.

A mastermind group is often made up of at least 6 – 8 members but you can create a mini-mastermind by buddying up with at least one other person or 2. Find someone else who wants to accomplish something (change careers, lose weight, go sledding in the Iditarod, whatever). Schedule a 2-hour call or meeting once a week. Set up at least a month’s worth of calls or just pick a day you’re going to meet each week and put it on your calendar indefinitely.

Here’ s a description of a typical meeting for a mastermind group from "Meet and Grow Rich: How to Easily Create and Operate Your Own Mastermind Group for Health, Wealth and More" by Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler:

“Open the meeting, share success stories, mastermind time, share resources, close the meeting. The largest portion of the time should be for the mastermind time, when members take turns sharing their goals and challenges and everyone asks questions and gives advice to that member. This keeps the meeting from deteriorating into a chatty social session. Should the discussion become social, steer the meeting back to its structure. Each person gets about 10 – 15 minutes. Use a timer.”

At the end of each meeting, each of you comes up with your own homework assignments. You each have to report back at the next meeting about what you did or didn’t do and that creates accountability and a sense of urgency.

Best chance for success? Pick members who are positive, creative, and supportive!

What’s powerful about a mastermind group is that somehow when you get 2 or more people together, you get exponential results—both in terms of brainstorming and accelerating your progress. Working with others gets you out of your box and into action.