Dale Carnegie said,”People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they’re doing”. Was he right? Can you be successful doing work you hate? Or work that bores you to tears?
In the short term, sure. We’ve all done it. But in the long term, if you don’t enjoy what you do, you’ll never accomplish as much as you could.
But here’s the thing. You don’t have to enjoy every part of it.
When I was practicing, I loved helping my clients–watching them smile when I told them the great result I’d obtained for them, hearing them say thank you, getting cards and gifts, and having them refer lots of friends and family.
That was fun.
I also had fun going to the bank and making deposits. That never gets old.
Everything else? Being papered to death by deep pocket defense firms, Los Angeles traffic, calendar calls, the lack of conviviality with some of my opposition, the bar’s arrogance and heavy hand, clients who tried to micromanage their case?
Not so much.
But, on balance, it was fun. Until it no longer was. That’s when I started looking for my next adventure.
How about you? Are you having fun? If not, what needs to change?
More money? Shorter hours? A better crop of clients?
A partner? No partner? More employees? No employees?
A shorter commute? Less trial work? Less paperwork?
What?
Whatever it is, you can have it. I promise. Figure out what you need and go get it. Because no matter how well you’re doing right now, you’ll do better and be happier when you’re having fun.
Referrals are fun!
