Growing a solo law practice does not always mean more staff, clients or work. It can mean better profits, better clients, more focus and more time.
I chose not to grow my solo practice any further when it reached a certain stage.
It happened a few times over a number of years before I finally said:
Enough. We are staying this size.
I am not against growing or scaling a solo practice.
It can work successfully, and it does for many.
However, it is a question that needs to be asked, and answered, sooner rather than later in the solo lawyer journey.
Choosing Not To Grow The Size Of The Practice
Choosing not to grow the size of the practice, for me, did not mean the practice stopped growing.
It meant I became more focused on what growth actually meant to me.
I spent more time questioning what I was doing and streamlining the practice.
Why are we doing this?
Is this the right client fit?
Do I enjoy doing this work?
Am I charging enough?
Do I actually want to keep doing this type of work?
That Was All Still Growth
On occasion, I stopped doing entire practice areas so I could grow profits and create more time for myself.
In hindsight, I have no regrets doing so, even though I was more than a bit fearful at the time.
That was all still growth.
Just not growth measured by more staff, more clients or more work.
What Does That Actually Mean for You?
As I say to advisory clients when they tell me they want to grow the business:
What does that actually mean for you?
We are all different.
