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Blogging helps lawyers match their passion and aspiration

I do a strategy conference with each new LexBlog client – lawyer, law firm, or other professional services firm. It’s critical to their success.

Early in the call I ask the lawyer or law firm to get out the ‘magic wand.’ Waving that magic wand you now get to do the type of work you’re passionate about and you get to do the work for the type of clients you want to represent it. Now what is it? Who do you want to do that legal work for?

There’s usually a pause after I ask the question. Some folks think I’ve gone off the deep end. But in the vast of majority of cases it’s just that no one has ever asked them those questions. Maybe for the first time since they were a kid someone asked them to dream. And dream big.

Moving ahead in the strategy call, lawyers open up. I hear of their passion. In most cases their aspirations are in line with that passion. Admittedly (and unfortunately), most have not formulated a strategy nor taken concrete action to realize their aspirations.

But with the advent of social media and blogging lawyers beginning work with LexBlog have seen lawyers just like them out blogging on niche areas of law. Niches that those blogging lawyers appear passionate about. They’ve heard of lawyers experiencing business development success from their blogging. The blogging lawyers are getting to do the work they’re passionate about. And they’re doing the work for the clients they wish to do it for.

The lawyers seeking LexBlog’s help on blogging are ready to put their passion to work. Despite all the misinformation that lawyers just blog for high search results, I see good lawyers who are ready to draw a line in the sand by blogging. No more going through the motions of practicing law. No more practical and uninspired aspirations.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a Harvard Business School Professor and author, writes about the power of your passion matching your aspiration.

Leaders who create extraordinary new possibilities are passionate about their mission and tenacious in pursuit of it. Many people have good ideas, but many fewer are willing to put themselves on the line for them. Passion separates good intentions and opportunism from real accomplishments.

Kanter suggests asking yourself 12 questions to see whether your passion matches your aspirations. I’ve added a few thoughts to think about when considering moving forward with your blog and passion.

  • Do I feel strongly about the need for this? Do I feel strongly that my legal career can’t go on like it has and it’s apt to continue without any action on my part.
  • Does the idea fit my long-held beliefs, values, and convictions? Do I like getting work by engaging people? By establishing a word of mouth reputation as a trusted and reliable authority?
  • Have I dreamed about something like this for a long time? Have I been thinking about doing something different as lawyer?
  • Do I think that this is vital for the future of people I care about? Can I do more for my family by doing more of the work I’d love doing as a lawyer?
  • Do I get excited when I think about it, and convey excitement when I talk about it?
  • Am I convinced that this can be accomplished?
  • Am I willing to put my credibility on the line to promise action on it? Some folks, including your law partners, and your spouse may not be able to see what you see.
  • Am I willing to spend time to sell it to others who might not understand or support it? Blogging works for professional and business development, but most lawyers do need to persuade their firm.
  • Can I make this the major focus of my activities? Not all your life activities, but perhaps the major focus of your business development efforts.
  • Am I willing to devote personal time, above and beyond organizational time, to see that this happens?
  • Do I feel strongly enough to ignore negativity and fight for this? As a lawyers you fight for others all the time. How about being an advocate for myself?
  • Am I committed to seeing this through, over the long haul? Blogging, like a lot very worthwhile things, doesn’t bring immediate gratification

I agree with Kanter, when it comes to blogging for lawyers, “Passing the passion test doesn’t guarantee success, but without it, the journey can’t even begin.”

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