Most lawyers would unanimously agree that the practice of law, especially in family law, is undeniably demanding and often incredibly challenging. No lawyer I know would ever claim that the legal profession is simple or easy. Despite acknowledging the complexity and difficulties, family lawyers still aspire to achieve success. However, when the sense of failure begins to infiltrate a lawyer’s mind, it can lead to feelings of depression, and unfortunately, some may resort to self-medicating with alcohol or drugs. Is it possible to learn from failure without internalizing it as a personal defeat?
In my view, failure can be defined as “falling short of expectations.” As practicing lawyers, we have already achieved success by excelling in school, law school, and passing the bar exams to become attorneys. Nonetheless, when we compare ourselves to others, we might feel like failures if we haven’t reached our goals or performed as well as our peers. The question then becomes, how can we transform these disappointments into stepping stones toward success?
Why Learning to Fail is Crucial to Success
Engaging in regular self-assessment and conducting a professional “inventory” of our strengths and weaknesses is one of the most productive and effective ways to achieve success. This entails examining our actions and performance, identifying what we excelled at, and reflecting on what we would do differently if given a chance to start again. It’s crucial to bear in mind that even with flawless arguments and strategies, certain variables beyond our control can lead to losing a case. Therefore, mastering the art of learning from failures without internalizing them as personal shortcomings is invaluable.
Surprisingly, many lawyers do not take the time to conduct post-mortems or examinations of their meetings, trials, relationships, projects, or overall careers. Taking a comprehensive look at what worked and what didn’t work is vital. Regularly making and reviewing a list of both successful and unsuccessful aspects, especially the latter, is essential to avoid repeating past missteps due to forgetfulness or neglecting to learn from them.
During this self-assessment, seeking input from colleagues or peers can be highly beneficial. By inviting different perspectives, we can gain insights into specific areas that require improvement to enhance our overall success. If part of a law firm, it’s worth considering having all the lawyers conduct their individual inventories, followed by a collective post-mortem discussion on the firm’s cases. This collaborative approach facilitates learning from one another’s experiences and contributes to professional growth.
As family lawyers, we often find ourselves constantly immersed in completing projects, seeking new clients, and moving on to the next pressing task. Unfortunately, we rarely take the time to reflect on the outcomes of our previous projects or cases. Creating a list of changes to implement and referring to it as a reference point can set a strong trajectory for our careers and lead to continuous improvement. Embracing this reflective practice can significantly contribute to our success as family lawyers.
Get a New Measuring Stick for Success
An alternative approach to recognizing success is to change the way we measure it. Often, we tend to gauge our performance or capabilities by comparing ourselves to others. In the competitive environment of law firms, the constant pursuit of higher positions and partner shares can lead to disappointment if this becomes the sole metric of success. Instead, consider a better way to evaluate your performance: Did you give your absolute best effort? Did you dedicate time to research, study, and prepare for every possible scenario, or did you handle situations impulsively?
It is essential to introspect and determine whether being a lawyer aligns with your true calling. Despite our profession, it’s vital to remember that we are human beings first and lawyers second. Prioritizing personal fulfillment and happiness is more important than mere professional success. Being a successful lawyer requires specific traits such as self-discipline, the right mental attitude, and a genuine passion for the field. At times, we might need to acknowledge that we are better suited for a different path.
Personal experiences also shape our journey. Some of us may have initially pursued a legal career to please others, like our parents, even if we secretly desired something different, such as an outdoor-oriented occupation. Despite achieving success as a lawyer, it’s crucial to recognize when the time has come to reassess our priorities and possibly consider alternative paths that align better with our true passions and desires.
A Family Lawyer Can Learn More from Failure Than Success
Learning from every experience is essential, and keeping inventories can be a valuable tool for growth. Embracing the mindset of “There are no mistakes, only learning opportunities” allows us to see setbacks as chances to learn and improve. Those with law degrees or licenses often possess skills that translate well into other professions, such as business, politics, or executive roles. The discipline and focus required to attain legal qualifications are qualities that few individuals possess, making lawyers versatile and capable professionals.
If practicing family law becomes a source of misery or jeopardizes one’s well-being, it’s crucial not to hesitate in exploring alternative uses for legal talents. It’s possible for lawyers to thrive in various fields beyond the traditional legal practice.
Sometimes, success in a profession might not necessarily lead to feelings of accomplishment and happiness. Reflecting on one’s career, it might become evident that a different path aligns better with personal aspirations and dreams. Despite achieving success, the desire to pursue other passions should not be suppressed due to external expectations or familial pressures.
Even if one has experienced success, a continuous failure to achieve personal fulfillment and pride in the results should serve as a signal to consider making significant changes. This could involve finding a different law firm, exploring new areas of legal practice, or even pursuing an entirely different profession. Failure, in this sense, can be both liberating and fortunate, as it prompts us to reassess our path and discover the right direction for genuine happiness and fulfillment.
Learn to See Failure as an Invitation to Change
Review your successes and failures, maintain lists of these insights for regular reference, avoid comparing yourself to others, and embrace failure as an opportunity for change. As the old saying suggests, continuing the same actions will yield the same results. If this isn’t encouraging news, it may be time for a change.
