Anne Whitaker, JD

Ms. Whitaker counsels and coaches lawyers in career development, career transition, and work/life balance. She offers in-person and telephone consultations, and is a licensed provider of the Highlands Ability Battery and other career-related assessments. Ms. Whitaker received her JD cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1986, and served on the editorial board of the Georgia Law Review. She practiced real estate law for five years, and later started In-House Counsel, Inc., an Atlanta-based contract attorney placement company. Ms. Whitaker is founding member and co-chair of the Atlanta Bar Career Management Committee, a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, and is a contributing writer for The Complete Lawyer. Over the past 15 years, she has created, chaired and spoken at numerous CLE’s for lawyers on career development and transition. Contact – anne.whitaker@counseloncall.com.

Where Are You Headed? Is That Really Where You Want to Go?
By Anne Whitaker, JD

Many lawyers I coach are so busy they don’t realize they’re out of touch with their true selves and the goals that give their lives meaning and fulfillment. For example, ask yourself:

– Toward what end are your efforts directed on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis?
– Do you know where you are headed?
– If you do know, is it where you really want to go?
– Are the goals your own or someone else’s?
– What do you really want to accomplish between now and the end of your life?
– Who do you want to become and are you in the process of becoming that person?

Very often the reason we don’t get what we want is because we haven’t figured out what we really want. If you create clear goals that include the most important things about yourself, and keep those goals in mind when you consider opportunities, you can usually achieve what you seek. But first you need to be clear about how you define your short-term and long-term goals.

Think of your goals as falling into three categories or levels:

Big-picture (high level, abstract goals) – These include good health, security, love, and prosperity. They are similar to values. “Achieving financial security” is a big-picture goal.
Intermediate goals – These specific goals support or connect to the bigger goals. “Saving money,” is an intermediate goal.
Action goals – These are items on your “to-do” list that will help you achieve specific goals. “Creating a budget” is an action goal.

If you’re not already in touch with your most valued, big-picture goals, here’s an exercise that may help: imagine yourself near the end of your life. Your family comes to visit, and a grandchild asks what you’re most proud of … what you believe your life has meant … and what you have accomplished. Now, ask yourself the following questions as if you are that older person:

What has been most important to me?
What did give me the most joy?
Who have I been, what have I done, and what has meant the most to me?
What difference have I made in the lives of others?
What changed as a result of my having lived?
What compromises would cause me to be disappointed with myself?

What if you don’t take the time to set your true goals? You might be able to have a fulfilling career and life, but your path will probably be longer and more difficult. Or you might find you made unintended sacrifices that resulted in an imbalanced life. Having meaningful goals that keep you focused on what you want to create for your career and life will help keep your feet moving in the right direction and keep your life in balance.

Take some time to examine your short- and long-term goals. Setting those goals is like making promises to yourself, and that process can yield amazing results.