Ten simple things I wish someone had told me when I started practising law. Practical career advice from my own experience as a new lawyer.
In my early years as a lawyer, I was ready to quit almost daily.
I often felt overwhelmed.
Some of that came from the pressures of the job. A fair bit came from my own unrealistic expectations and a liberal dose of imposter syndrome.
I still remember those days.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Here are 10 things I wish someone had told me sooner about becoming a professional.
In no particular order.
1. Write it down. You're nervous, trying to impress and taking in more than you realise. Don't trust your memory.
2. Do the hard stuff first. Prioritise what's urgent and important. Procrastination is not your friend. Trust me.
3. Learn to say no. Nicely, of course. Being a people pleaser won't serve you well in the long run. Boundaries matter.
4. Know what's going on. Read widely. Keep up with current affairs and developments in your profession. Clients expect you to understand the world they operate in.
5. Build your network early. Online and offline. Have coffee with interesting people. Relationships get things done.
6. Get professional advice. Mentors are valuable, but sometimes you need to pay for good advice about your career and development. You only know what you know.
7. Remember, you are a brand too. Not just the firm you work for. Build and protect your reputation. People remember good work and good people.
8. Learn something new every day. Even five minutes spent improving your professional knowledge adds up.
9. Niche up. Find something you're genuinely passionate about. Get very good at it. Become known for it.
10. Get better with technology. Start with what you already use. Spend five minutes a day learning how to use it more effectively. Particularly important now.
And a bonus one.
Enjoy the journey.
Smell the roses. Celebrate the small wins.
Those early years can feel like they'll last forever.
They don't.
Before you know it, you're the one looking back, wondering where the years went.
If you're early in your career, I hope something here helps.
