I don’t know whether it is the fact that my life is no longer some robotic routine. Certainly, having the fexibility to work from home, make the kids breakfast in the morning and go to the office at 9:00 helps. Having your wife and kids visit you at the office on a regular basis is certainly a reminder of what is important.
I’ll admit it. Coming up on two years post "I quit", I am more in love with my wife and my family than ever before. I get to see them more often. The diversity of my day keeps a spring in my step. The best part about being an independent practitioner is that it breeds an appreciation for life, family and work which simply can’t be achieved at big law.
I have a busy day ahead of me. But I woke up early, cleaned the kitchen and made my wife coffee. The kids came down early. I got them fed and took a shower. I’ll be to work about 30 minutes later than usual. But there was no artificial time by which I had to be sitting in my chair. More importantly, there was no "pressure" for me to arrive at work at a certain time and make an appearance.
I was channel surfing last night and stopped on Larry King who had five guests on. I don’t know who they were but they each had a singular message. Life is what you make of it. You have the ability to see each situation either positive or negative. We have that choice at each and every moment of each and every day. Somehow, the sense of control one has when working for oneself spills over into other areas. No longer are we part of a large group. We are individuals. We do things because we decide that they need to get done. We are bound only by our own principles and motivated only by our own goals. We take charge of our lives as opposed to turning our lives over to others.
Why do we send our best law students off to the assembly line of big law? Why are greatest minds and talents wasted slaving to the will of others?
If the answer used to be because there was no other real alternative, then that answer is no longer a correct one. it is time to unshackle the lawyer slaves of the world. The age of individuals is upon us. Wake.Wake. Time is wasting. The time is now.
Oh! And don’t forget to make your wife coffee in the morning.
"Coming up on two years post "I quit", I am more in love with my wife and my family than ever before."
The key, from my perspective and work, is to live in one's life, all of it, concurrently, as opposed to living next to it while "I'm working".
Peace and thanks for your comments.
Posted by: peter vajda | 2006.11.16 at 14:23