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Learning to Adapt

The Digital Age is Here

Back in around 2001, I discovered that I could scan paper into a computer. That meant I could store hundreds of boxes of paper in my 2 lb laptop.

This blew my mind.

Until that point, managing case documents was complex, cumbersome, and expensive (think lots of paralegals). But then, the game completely changed.

Now, I could go to court by myself and easily compete with old-school lawyers surrounded by boxes of documents.

All my documents were text-searchable, so I could find whatever I needed instantly.

My opponents, on the other hand, wasted time rummaging through their boxes — infuriating impatient judges.

I felt sorry for them, but they deserved their fate because they refused to adapt to the modern world.

At least, that’s how I saw it at first.

The Root Problem

Actually, the root problem is not so much that lawyers refuse to adopt technology. Rather, it’s an inability to do so.

I discovered this when I started trying to help other lawyers do what I’d learned to do.

That’s when I realized that adopting technology is exceptionally hard for most attorneys, especially older ones like me.

You can’t just give attorneys a list of recommendations and presume that they’ll be able to implement them.

You have to help them learn new things in a new way.

This calls to mind the prediction that Alvin Toffler famously made back in the 1970s.

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

So, the question is this…

How do we unlearn old ways that are ineffective and relearn new ways of doing things that can radically transform our practices for the better?

Use Best Practices

Charlie Munger is one of the most successful lawyers and business investors of all time.

His advice is always to be looking to piggyback off of the knowledge of other people who’ve achieved massive success. And guess what?

That advice applies to figuring out the best ways to use technology.

That’s how I started getting better results more quickly. Specifically, it was going to the annual ABA Techshow and meeting other lawyers and tech consultants.

That’s what helped me most to break through all the tech logjams.

And that’s how I learned the best ways of helping other lawyers who wanted to me to help them use technology.

How I Help Lawyers

In 2009 I created  Law Firm Autopilot. And, a few years later, helping other lawyers became my full-time mission.

Many of them have said nice things about how I helped them. And the ABA even wound up giving me an award.

But enough about them or me…

What about you?

Do you want a practice that enables you to work in a better way?

Technology can help any lawyer get more of their work done, more easily, and at a lower cost.

The key is learning to use it effectively. And often, that means getting some help.

Do you want help?

If so, get my tips on how to use the 80/20 Principle.

And if you want to talk in person, schedule a free call.

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Book Publications

I’ve  written two books published by the American Bar Association:

I also wrote two other books.

Speaking

If you want me to speak at an event click here

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