A Simple Plan For YOUR Best Year Ever

We get calls and emails every day that point out common challenges better than we ever could. Consider the following:

“At the end of the day it’s Max’s firm and he is going to do what he wants to do.”  

“I wanted to thank you for your support on yesterday’s call regarding my time template. And I also wanted to apologize for not providing more push-back, however, given Liz’s body language, that you could not see, it was not the right time to offer push-back. It has been my experience with this job that I must pick my battles thoughtfully. But it is a prime example of what I perceive to be certain ambivalence on Liz’s part regarding the LWP system. Don’t get me wrong though – I am completely committed to her, and if tomorrow she decides we are not doing the LWP process anymore then that’s what I have to do, even though I know the direct impact of ‘winging it’ day in and day out. However, since I believe our current firm objective is to implement this system, that is my objective as well.”

“Joe saw that my ‘To do’ list has a standing reminder for the weekly Team Forum and he asked me what was it about.  I told him it is a weekly forum to support team members on how to be leaders in their role. He said since this isn’t directly showing me how to implementing the LWP tools then it is worthless to attend it and a waste of my time. I tried to explain that it is not about legal technical ‘stuff’, just a way for us associates to come together and relate to each other about ideas and any questions we have. But he still said no. It’s just him and me in the office, no one else. The firm is very small but it would be nice to get a little appreciation sometime, that’s all. Is that too much to ask? I didn’t even get a Christmas card when Christmas came around. And I haven’t had a raise in 2 years and now I am being told I can’t attend something that is going to help me grow and directly impact the firm.”

This is about the time that we find most firms start to feel like they are running through quicksand – and they are not sure why. There are three constants with any business: Payroll is ALWAYS the biggest expense, employee management the biggest area of wasted time, and employee “issues” the biggest reason people quit or leave – and the most common way people lose confidence and energy.

The attorney not only wants – but depends on an entrapreneur, and gives all the signs, by body language and by not meeting deadlines, that they really want someone to lead. The team members just want everyone to do what they say and feel appreciated.

What they all want, in other words, is teamwork. Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. And in my experience there is no better book than “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by consultant and speaker Patrick Lencioni for describing the many pitfalls that teams face as they seek to “row together.” This phenomenal book explores the fundamental causes of organizational politics and team failure. Over the next five blog posts I will be taking you through an extensive summary of the book, almost an x-ray for the true meaning of working as a team and the human element that exists. Among other areas, we will redefine the meaning of “dysfunction” and how it’s not a “bad” word but rather a vessel to identify places on your team to produce results and avoid “minor” issues that can become landmines if unaddressed and tolerated. Ultimately, you will come away with A Simple Plan for YOUR Best Year Ever.

If you would like to know more about Lawyers With Purpose and how we can support you with building an elder law practice focused on asset protection, Medicaid and VA planning click here for more information on our legal technical summit September 12-13 in Phoenix, AZ. Seats are filling fast and we have limited space so register now if your even considering this opportunity!

Molly L. Hall, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, and author of Don’t Be a Yes Chick: How to Stop Babysitting Your Boss, Transform Your Job and Work with a Dream Team Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Spirit in the Process.

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Our 2013 LWP Member Annual Practice Enhancement Retreat

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Giving the Process your Purpose and Personality – from Paper to Practice

We took the program, we've implemented, now bring this all together and make it our own!

It's hard to believe there are only 5 months remaining in the "New Year." With the 4th of July past us, many people start their summer decompression. And once Labor Day turns the corner we are fast and furious into the holidays and then into the year-end wrap up. Where does the time GO??! We were going to do X, Y and possibly Z but…

Unfortunately, sometimes we talk…but we just don't plan. Sometimes we plan but we don't pick the path. If every business owner were to achieve everything they've declared they're going to do, we would have a bazillion fulfilled entrepreneurs, team and clients.

Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League once said, "Plan your work and work your plan."

Victor Hugo, the author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame said:

"He who every morning plans the transaction of the day and follows out that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the maze of the most busy life. But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incidence, chaos will soon reign."

In just 3 days walk away with:

  • A firm-created and defined autonomous plan for 2014. When you walk back in your office door, you'll know exactly what needs to occur each and every day.
  • A deeper understanding of your firm personal story and purpose. Your community will want to work with you – and your team will be striving to make it happen.
  • Make the LWP process your own. Everyone understands the purpose, how our firm story ties into each step, and how to make it sovereign.
  • A specific step-by-step to lead Your Organization in the Right Direction. There was a time when strategic planning was done only by the largest companies.

Now it is simply a requirement for all business to survive. Business leaders must be constantly looking ahead, anticipating change, and developing a strategy to proactively and successfully navigate through today's marketplace. Without strategic planning, businesses simply drift, and are always reacting to the pressure of the day.

Invest in Yourself by Friday July 19th and Receive these Additional Benefits:

  • A $500 Firm Discount for EARLY BIRD Registration and an option to pay over 6 months (Ends July 19th)
  • Entry into a drawing to win a DocuBank subscription.
  • Entry for a drawing to win a personalized crafted attorney/staff bio (a $250 value).

Register now, block out your calendars, and make your plane reservations.

LWP Members Only – Click Here Now to Reserve Your Space!

Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center
Room Rate: $132.00/Single – $142.00/Double – $152.00/Triple & Quad
Group Rate Cut Off Date: 5:00 pm October 7, 2013
Reservations: (315) 475-3000

The event Hotel WILL sell out, it has every year so don't "wait and see" and take a chance. "But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incidence, chaos will soon reign."

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Inside Marketing To Veterans – Keep It Simple!

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Veterans are humble of their actions, yet proud of their accomplishments. When marketing to veterans, it is important to remember the personality of the target market. For estate planning and elder care attorneys, our target market is WWII and Korean War veterans. Noble men and women who do not like to brag, yet will have a picture of themselves in uniform or a certificate of discharge hanging on a wall.

Do you plan your marketing strategy and budget in advance? How much do you spend to acquire one new client? Are you over spending or under spending? Is there a simpler way?

One simple strategy that I have discovered when marketing to veterans is to do it from the inside. What does that mean? Take really good care of the current client and they will then take care of you. While most law firms focus on outside marketing through media, seminars and personal meetings with professionals (all important), many do not take any action to continue to market once the client is inside the office.

How do we do this for veterans? For each veteran who signs an estate plan or receives an award for Improved Pension with Aid and Attendance, we provide to the veteran a Certificate of Recognition for the accomplishment they just achieved. Signing a solid estate plan taking care of themselves and their loved ones for years to come is an accomplishment. Going through the process of applying for VA benefits, and getting them in a timely manner, is an accomplishment. Thus, we recognize the effort and achievement of doing so.

How is this considered marketing? First, you have exceeded the expectation of the current client. You did not only provide and complete an estate plan or VA benefits plan, as expected, you recognized and honored your client for their part in the plan as well. You made them feel individualized and special. Second, that client who is now very pleased with the service received will go brag about you to all of his buddies at the VFW or the assisted living facility. A veteran will not brag about himself, but he will brag about others. You can and should be that “other” that he brags about. What is the value of one new client that heard about you from a satisfied customer?

How much was the framed certificate? $1.50. How much time did it take you to do? One minute to print and five minutes to present. Much cheaper and a lot less time than lunch with another colleague who may or may not brag about your services when the meal is done.

Recommendations for the certificate:

  1. Type or beautifully print the veterans name and rank on the certificate.
  2. Use language of true honor and accomplishment.
  3. Put “Presented by YOUR FIRM NAME”
  4. Put the Lawyers with Purpose logo with name that connects you to a larger, meaningful organization.
  5. Print in color or have a gold seal to make the certificate stand out.
  6. Keep it simple, not flashy.

Once you begin to present certificates of recognition and accomplishment to your veteran clients, you will notice a change in both your current and future clients. You will also notice a change in the attitudes of your team members, creating an environment of respect. It does not take a huge budget or hours upon hours to acquire the next perfect client. It only takes one simple act of kindness within the firm to a current client to generate a steady flow of qualified, appreciative, paying clients.

If you are considering becoming a member of Lawyers With Purpose, and want to get in a room and discover what we can offer for asset protection, Medicaid & VA click here for information on our two day summit in Phoenix, AZ. Seats are limited and the last event sold out quickly!

Victoria L. Collier, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, Veteran of the U.S.A.F. and author of 47 Secret Veterans’ Benefits for Seniors…Benefits You Have Earned but Don’t Know About and 47 Secret Marketing Strategies for Veterans Benefits Attorneys.

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DOMA & How It Relates To Veterans

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Our very own, Victoria L. Collier, will be presenting the effects of the Supreme Court’s decision on DOMA, specifically related to veterans, for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, on July 10, 2013, at 3:00 EST.

Other panelists include Cynthia L. Barrett, David Lillesand, and Rene H. Reixach, Jr. who will be discussing the impact on Medicaid, Social Security and SSI.

This webinar is free to NAELA Members and you can register using the link below: http://www.naela.org/store/SearchResults.aspx?EventType=WEB

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Congratulations Kevin Pillion & Team – July Member of The Month

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What is the greatest success you’ve had since joining LWP?

Using LWP’s software and systems has empowered us to do a better job in our initial consultations.  We have seen a rise in client satisfaction and closed business.  We are believers of the client-centered approach developed by LWP for practicing elder law.

What is your favorite LWP tool?

We are new to LWP and still learning about all of the available tools.  The “LWP Planning Options” and “LWP Funding Roadmap” flowcharts are high on our list because they’re visual tools, enabling us to more easily communicate with our clients about estate planning, asset protection and public benefits planning. 

How has being part of LWP impacted your team and your practice?

LWP has boosted our confidence and productivity, resulting in greater client satisfaction and higher revenues for our firm.  Like Neo did in the renowned film “The Matrix,” we swallowed the pill and are on our way to freeing ourselves from the traditional practice of law and providing our clients with better-quality service.

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15 Steps to Failing Forward Series – Steps #1 & #2

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"We are all failures – at least, all the best of us." ~ J.M. Barrie

What makes some people fail, while others succeed? How come everything some people touch turns to gold, while others fail time and time again? And what causes them to keep trying and not give up?

Let's look at stepping stones #1 and #2:

#1 – Realize there is one major difference between average people and achieving people.

John Maxwell explains that the difference between average and achieving people is solely in their mindset. He says in his book that the difference between average people and people who are achievers is how they respond to failure. People typically live their lives preparing for success, when they should actually be preparing themselves for failure. They should be learning what they are going to do with it and how they are going to react to it. I love the question Maxwell brings to the conversation: “If the possibility of failure were erased, what would you attempt to achieve?” Pause. Take a moment. What are you thinking?

Whatever obstacles you may be hitting in your personal and professional life don't really matter at all. What does matter is that you can absolutely handle it. And more importantly, how you handle it will be the difference between someone who gives up and someone who presses on (fails forward). It's the difference between quitting and giving up on your goals and dreams, or persevering and moving forward.

“The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake.” ~ Nelson Boswell

#2 – Get a new definition of failure and success.

This chapter starts off with one of my favorite analogies in the entire book. Maxwell talks about a baseball player who steps up to the plate and makes an out – the 5,113th out of his professional career. Earlier in the game, however, the player had reached another major milestone in his career, one that only 21 other people in the history of baseball have ever achieved. He got his 3,000 hit! Wow!

That player, Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres, was one of the best baseball players ever to play, yet he averaged an out (FAILED) two out of every three times at the plate. When you look at it that way, it puts a different twist on the definition of failure.

Maxwell defines what failure is NOT in what he calls his Rules for Being Human:

Rule #1 – You will learn a lesson.

Rule #2 – There are no mistakes – only lessons.

Rule #3 – A lesson is repeated until it is learned.

Rule #4 – If you don't learn the easy lessons, they get harder.

Rule #5 – You'll know you've learned a lesson when your actions change.

Maxwell closes the chapter by stating that what you gain by making mistakes is the benefit of thinking differently. He tells the reader – he gives them permission – to set the standard to make a mistake quota when setting out on your next project, assignment, task, etc. Mistakes are part of the journey, a price you pay along the way to success.

If you are not currently an LWP member, and have considered – or are interested in discovering what we offer for asset protection, Medicaid & VA click here for information on our two day summit in Phoenix, AZ. Seats are limited and the last event sold out in less than one week!

Continue to follow along for the remaining 13 steps from Failing Forward.

Roslyn Drotar, Implementation Coach, Lawyers With Purpose

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DOMA Still Prohibits VA Benefits for Majority

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The Supreme Court’s decision that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional opens the door for military members and their same-sex spouses to get all the same benefits as heterosexuals who are married, regardless of where the couple lives as long as the marriage took place in a state that recognizes gay marriage.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR VETERANS. VA regulations specify that the marriage to a veteran must be valid. To determine validity, the VA considers:

  1. The law of the state where the couple resides;
  2. Where they resided at the time of the marriage; or
  3. Where they resided when the right to VA benefits arose.

The District of Columbia and ten states that sanctify same-sex marriages include: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Washington. Delaware will allow them beginning July 1st and Minnesota will on August 1st. Because of the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear California’s Proposition 8 case, California gay residents can again get married. (We need some “warm” states to adopt same-sex marriage!).

Scenario One: I live in Georgia where gay marriage is not recognized and we have a state constitutional amendment specifically prohibiting it. Based on the three ways listed above as to how the VA determines a valid marriage, if I were to go to New York or any of the other states that permit gay marriage, my spouse and I would still not receive any additional veterans benefits due to our status as being married. It would not be recognized by the VA.

However, there is hope to get benefits under provision number three, “where they resided when the right to VA benefits arose” IF we later move to a state that recognizes gay marriage and then the right to VA benefits arose (i.e. I become elderly and in need of wartime pension with Aid and Attendance). The question is, does the VA get to choose which of the three options of validity apply or is it that if you meet any of the three the marriage is valid?

Scenario Two: A same-sex couple lives in Maine and gets married in Maine. They later move to Texas. Maine allows gay marriage. Thus, when the veteran or the surviving spouse, who now live in Texas, need VA benefits, either of them should be able to receive it in Texas, even though Texas does not recognize same-sex marriage.

The VA laws do specifically state that marriage is between a man and a woman, in accordance with DOMA. But, since this provision of DOMA has been deemed unconstitutional, it follows that this provision in the VA law must be unconstitutional and will need to be repealed.

The discriminatory disparity between current military members being able to get married, regardless of where they live, and still get all marriage equality rights; whereas, veterans are not able to do the same is an issue of equality sure to be litigated. Moreover, the fact that some veterans will get benefits just because they lived in the right state at the right time and others won’t because they lived in the wrong state at the wrong time, violates both the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution, and will certainly be litigated.

While the unconstitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA was a huge win for equality for gays, specifically for current military members, the victory and benefits of its repeal do not extend to all same sex couples equally. It is only a beginning of change and more is certain to come over the next few years. This will create the need for more and more attorneys to be aware of the changes and how they can best advise their clients with regard to benefits available to them.

If you are not currently an LWP member, and have considered – or are interested in discovering what we offer for asset protection, Medicaid & VA click here for information on our two day summit in Phoenix, AZ.

Victoria L. Collier, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, Veteran of the U.S.A.F. and author of 47 Secret Veterans’ Benefits for Seniors…Benefits You Have Earned but Don’t Know About.

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Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Found Unconstitutional By 5-4

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Over 1,000 federal laws are affected by marital or spousal status. Estate and Elder Care attorneys are regularly asked questions about a person or a couple’s rights regarding Social Security benefits, housing, taxes, health care, domestic support, bankruptcy, Medicaid, and VA benefits. The advice by counsel usually depends, and may differ, on whether the client is married or single.

On June 26, 2013, the United States Supreme Court held that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violates the guarantee of equal protection as applied to the Federal Government through the Fifth Amendment of our Constitution. Specifically, DOMA defined marriage as that between one man and one woman, and defined spouse as a marriage between people of opposite sex. However, the definition as detailed in DOMA did not restrict individual states from permitting same sex marriages or civil unions.

This, herein, lies the problem. States can permit or deny marriage to same sex couples. But, when a state decides to allow same sex marriage, DOMA then prohibited those couples from enjoying the same federal benefits as other married couples within that state. The case that led to the Supreme Court case was about a lesbian couple that had been together since 1963. They got married in Canada in 2007, which the state of New York recognized as a valid marriage. When one of them died in 2009, her estate incurred an estate tax liability of over $300,000 because she and her wife could not exercise their rights under the marital deductions afforded to other married individuals.

The ruling of the Supreme Court mandates that when a state recognizes the marriage of two people of the same sex, the federal government must as well, affording all the same government benefits to the spouse. One of the complicating factors going forward will be the fact that some federal laws respect the state where the marriage occurred, while other federal laws respect the state where the married couple lives. For example, the Veterans Administration will consider the marriage valid if the state where the marriage occurred recognizes it as valid. Thus, if my partner and I got married in New York, where marriages are valid, and then moved to Georgia, where same sex marriages are not valid, my spouse should be able to receive Veterans Benefits. However, because Georgia does not recognize same sex marriages, my spouse would still not realize any housing, inheritance, or tax benefits due to our status as residents of Georgia.

Moreover, we must be aware that although the Supreme Court determined that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional, it did not make a ruling as to Section 2 of DOMA. Section 2 allows states to refuse to recognize same sex marriages performed under the laws of other states. Until this provision is challenged and ruled upon by the Supreme Court, one state can continue to deny marital rights even when the couple received a valid marriage in another state.

This affects so many Americans, to include me personally. My partner and I have been together for 16 years and had a commitment ceremony in Georgia 10 years ago. In Georgia, the ceremony means nothing, legally. I was ecstatic to hear the Court’s ruling. Given Jennifer and I already have plans of spending our 10 year anniversary in New York in July this year, I immediately began planning for us to get married, legally, in New York while we are there. But, then I thought, will it have any bearing whatsoever? Not in Georgia. But, since I am a veteran, Jennifer may receive VA benefits someday. Also, like the plaintiff in United States v. Windsor, Jennifer and I may be a good “facts” case to challenge the Georgia laws, when the climate is right. For three years now, Jennifer has been a stay at home mother while I work to support us and our three year old twins. For income tax purposes, it is generally better to file as married when there is a large disparity between the two household incomes. We don’t currently get to take advantage of that. I could go on and on about the current and potential disparities the law creates due to the discriminatory differences between married couples and those not permitted to get married.

Nonetheless, JUNE 26, 2013 is a day to be remembered in history for equality. As lawyers, be prepared to answer, in your state, how the repeal of Section 3 of DOMA benefits your clients, or doesn’t. Also, you can expect Lawyers with Purpose to include these topics of discussion in our future training events.

Victoria L. Collier, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, Veteran of the U.S.A.F. and author of 47 Secret Veterans’ Benefits for Seniors…Benefits You Have Earned but Don’t Know About, and co-author of Getting to Baby: Creating Your Family Faster, Easier and Less Expensive through Fertility, Adoption, or Surrogacy.

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Estate Planning Conversion to Asset Protection Planning

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I met with Roger 8 days ago. He is 89 years old, a veteran of WWII, and married to Sylvia. Roger has end stage lung cancer and a prognosis of less than two months to live. He is receiving in-home hospice. His wife, Sylvia, is 83 years old and has early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s Disease. She also lives at home. They each have 24/7 home health care, which costs approximately $13,000 per month. When Roger dies, Sylvia’s home health care expense will be reduced to $9,000 per month, but she will still have the expense of maintaining the home and other daily living expenses.

In 2001, Roger and Sylvia, engaged in sophisticated estate planning to minimize estate taxes and to take advantage of the marital deduction rules. Their plan consisted of a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT) and an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT), with basic wills and powers of attorney. Due to the rise in the estate tax exemption, these sophisticated tools are no longer necessary because their taxable estate is under the $10,000,000+ limit for a married couple, and even under the $5,000,000+ limit for a single person. However, they do have assets of about $600,000 that are not in either of the trusts, and which are not protected from long-term care costs.

Since Roger is a wartime veteran, his widowed spouse, which will be Sylvia, may be eligible for a widow’s death pension, commonly referred to as Aid and Attendance. But, their assets must be below certain limits. Moreover, should Sylvia’s physical needs exceed that which can be provided at home and she later moves to a nursing home, she may benefit from qualifying for Medicaid.

When we know with reasonable certainty that one spouse may die sooner than the other, and the death is relatively imminent, we have the perfect situation for asset protection planning for the survivor. In Roger and Sylvia’s situation, we want to protect the extra $600,000 upon Roger’s death so that Sylvia can immediately qualify for VA benefits or Medicaid benefits without unnecessary spend down or penalty from making lifetime gifts.

To do so, we must put all of the assets into Roger’s name. Then, Roger can create living trusts that will pass the property upon his death into special needs trusts for Sylvia, and also trusts for his child and grandchildren. Transfers upon death do not trigger a look-back penalty for Medicaid. And, assets maintained in a third party special needs trust are protected as well.

We do not intend for Roger to gain access to any government assistance programs while he is alive. Instead, the benefit of the planning is for his wife, Sylvia. The VA widow’s pension will pay Sylvia up to $1,113 per month to offset the cost of her home health care. That will allow the other assets to stretch out further. Then, if Sylvia moves to a nursing home, not only can she qualify for Medicaid, but the assets that were preserved can be used to pay the differential in price for a private room, as well as continue to pay for home health care at the nursing home so that Sylvia does not have to wait 30 minutes to answer a call button, or be sitting in front of a tray of food she no longer knows how to eat without assistance.

Estate planning, asset protection planning, and long-term care planning are all distinct planning strategies, each used for a specific purpose. As our lives and circumstances change, often our planning needs to change too. Lawyers with Purpose has the training, software, systems, and support necessary to assist lawyers who have clients that are healthy and then progress through the need for assistance from others. By using these systems, I was able to convert Roger’s outdated estate plan to an asset protection plan in seven days, fully executed. When a person is receiving hospice care, you don’t know how much time you have to execute a plan. Therefore, you must have the systems in place to act swiftly.

Victoria L. Collier, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, Veteran of the U.S.A.F. and author of 47 Secret Veterans’ Benefits for Seniors…Benefits You Have Earned but Don’t Know About.

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15 Steps To Failing Forward – Give Your Team A Safe Place To Grow

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In the 25 years I worked in the legal industry, I was never in a safe place to grow. And by “safe place” I mean I was never given room for error. I clearly remember the day I was promoted from working for an associate attorney to working for the managing partner of a large insurance defense firm. Finally promoted to working for king of the hill, and I had the corner office with windows! Finally a view!

My first day, he pulled me into his office and told me – in no uncertain terms – “If he missed ANY deadlines, appointments or court dates, it was all MY fault.” This was coming from the guy who handled most of the noteworthy federal defense cases for the county I lived in, was managing the firm, and had a huge high-profile class-action lawsuit with over 1,500 test plaintiffs alone and 3,800 total! Ahhhhh … the pressure!

I went from that to working in a small estate planning boutique firm where dropping the ball meant at times that we lost the client, couldn’t make payroll or the referral source was no longer on our side. Pressure!

Since working with LWP I’m in such a safe place to fail that it’s the polar opposite of any work environment I’ve ever been part of. And, I can clearly see the writing on the wall. Failure is a very humbling and formative experience, and you’ve got to own it. Through failure you can achieve true growth, so you need to own it like a boss!

It’s interesting the emails and conversations I have with members and their team, and how very apologetic they can be for the slightest things. When I hear certain terminology during coaching calls, I see between the lines that that particular firm isn’t in a place that believes in, as a famous book teaches, “Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success.”

If you’ve never read the book, I’d love to highlight the 15 Steps to Failing Forward for you:

  1. Realize there is one major difference between average people and achieving people.
  2. Learn a new definition of failure.
  3. Remove the “you” from failure.
  4. Take action and reduce your fear.
  5. Change your response to failure by accepting responsibility.
  6. Don’t let the failure from outside get inside you.
  7. Say good-bye to yesterday.
  8. Change yourself, and your world changes.
  9. Get over yourself and start giving yourself.
  10. Find the benefit in every bad experience.
  11. If at first you don’t succeed, try something harder.
  12. Learn from a bad experience and make it a good experience.
  13. Work on the weakness that weakens you.
  14. Understand there’s not much difference between failure and success.
  15. Get up, get over it, get going.

Over the next few months I’ll be doing a series that will review each of the 15 steps and dig a bit deeper into what each of them means (I’ll give you the SparkNotes). Hopefully through reading along, failure will become your friend. Subscribe to our blog (using that box on the right) to get these automatically delivered right to your inbox.

Or you can email me at rdrotar@lawyerswithpurpose.com. I hope you’ll join me, because this series promises to help you progress from failures that cripple to experiencing failure that empowers.

Roslyn Drotar – Implementation Coach, Lawyers With Purpose