For me, the dislocation from traditional notions of success in the form of working in the employ of the large firm practice and otherwise having to adapt to the trends in the market have admittedly led me along the path to solo practice and self employment. Recently, making the move to another state for the sake of economic and family stability - supporting my wife in her career and educational objectives to be more frank - thereby following the prosperity in hard economic times has molded the gamut surrounding said change and chance in my life. The necessary consequence has been ineluctable rediscovery, yet again, and coming to terms with my own principles and deliberations with respect to my career and business.
I advocate for a Zen Approach to the life and career of the solo attorney, and for practically anyone. By this I mean applying experiential learning and wisdom to attaining a solid core of enlightenment whether through Zen meditative techniques or through a series of mental exercises that not only create a consistent flow of positive thinking but also of positive energy and action. In part to attaining this end, it requires a certain level of rediscovery, introspection or "turning the eye inward." Self realization thus comes more from a dharmic practice and meditation than from intellectual reasoning.
This approach, despite misconceptions, does not invariably require a change in one's spiritual or religious beliefs. If anything, it can augment one's current faith even when fundamental beliefs require salvation and enlightenment through either strict adherence to following church dogma or a messianic path toward the same ends. As for myself, I was raised Roman Catholic and taught that enlightenment was more or less knowing God's ways and living according to how Jesus Christ lived. However, as I have found The Lord's Prayer, for instance, can be the mantra and/or meditative focus just as much as others used in Zen teachings.
What it comes down to is this, training the mind to break free from those influences that seek to oppress it. Unfortunately, and I cannot logically conclude what causes it, our world tends to drag the mind down and mire it in negativity. Adversity, change and chance, likewise constants in this earthly life, can do this. The good news is that we are not obligated to have to think this way, but when surrounded by so much negativity as of late it is easy to feel trapped into this mode of thought.
In sum, if you are an attorney, or anyone, finding yourself in this wavelength of thought and mind, there are ways that are very effective and that will empower you to emancipate yourself therefrom. We can blame the economic woes and recession and life's tribulations all we want to, but in the end only thought and action will change things. And action in the direction we desire only comes through positive and exuberant thought, which must be made a ritual in daily living and life.
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Podcast: Blogging, Branding & Marketing for Solos
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Note: if you need some guidance and help in the area of meditation try Brain Sync, Kelly Howell - The Secret Universal Mind Meditation sampling of which can be found on YouTube.
