Crunch Time

Opportunity knocks today just like it does every day.

If your practice needed a boost two months ago, it still needs one today. And it will two years from now. Why?

Because success isn’t built on good intentions. You know this.

There are no quick fixes. Every day is a chance to seize opportunities.

But those opportunities stay hidden if you don’t look or if you settle into complacency.

I speak from experience.

Fifteen years ago, I hated my law practice. I had grown complacent.

That was when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, destroying lives and dreams.

It woke me up.

I realized it was crunch time.

I wanted to act boldly, but I was scared. I can admit that now.

I was afraid to leave my firm as a full partner, making good money. I had steady work, plenty of resources, and a big office overlooking the Mississippi River.

But none of it made me happy. I wanted to leave, but fear held me back.

Technology gave me the confidence to move forward. Strange, but true.

Technology excited me. It opened new doors. I could practice law more efficiently and eliminate tedious tasks. I could ditch bulky paper files and find information in seconds.

But could technology sustain a solo practice? Could it bring good clients?

I knew I wouldn’t find out by overthinking. So I told my partners I was leaving.

They thought I was crazy.

“Ernie, why leave now? Why not wait until things return to normal?”

They were scared for me too.

Fear has its own twisted logic. Why be bold in a crisis? Why start a solo practice when courts were barely functioning and legal work was scarce?

Now I know the answer. Back then, I wasn’t sure.

But now I can tell you…

It was crunch time.

Spoiler alert…

You probably know what happened. I went out on my own and found happiness again. I made good money doing work I enjoyed for people who appreciated it.

And once that happened, I forgot I’d ever been afraid. The right decision had become obvious.

I should have acted sooner.

But sometimes it takes a crisis to force action.

Maybe you’re feeling afraid now. I get it. Fear is normal.

Everyone’s scared these days, even those who don’t show it. These are tough times.

But opportunities still exist. If you look, you’ll find them.

Technology is still a powerful tool. It can turbocharge your practice, just like it did mine.

And today, there are far more tech opportunities than there were 15 years ago.

The trick is learning how to harness them.

That’s where the challenge lies. You can’t just buy tech, plug it in, and expect a miracle. That’s delusional.

You need to leverage technology strategically. You have to be thoughtful. Make smart decisions about which tech is critical to your long-term success. Then, commit to getting the most out of it.

Maybe making those tech decisions isn’t your strength. That’s okay. It’s not your job.

Your job isn’t to tinker with tech. So don’t feel bad if you find it frustrating.

But don’t be complacent either. Be bold.

Find people who can help you, especially those who focus on helping lawyers. Ideally, people who understand that small firm lawyers aren’t swimming in cash. We can’t afford to waste money.

Unfortunately, many tech experts assume we’re wealthy and eager to spend. Too often, we fall for the wrong solutions and waste money on tech that doesn’t move the needle.

That’s the sad truth.

I’ve been in the trenches, and I still talk to lawyers who are there now.

Here’s what I know: technology remains a huge opportunity—if you learn to use it properly.

I know this because I’ve helped hundreds of lawyers figure it out. Almost ten years ago, I started a live conference called Small Firm Bootcamp to do just that.

I wasn’t sure how much it would help until I heard Patrick Slaughter talk about how transformative it was for him. That’s when I knew I was on the right track.

If you want to use technology to improve your practice, I can help you like I helped Patrick. And now, it’s even easier with virtual conferences.

General Resources

• Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend)
• Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you’re using in your practice
• Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers
• Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle newsletter (it’s free)