“What you don’t have, you don’t need it now.”
—U2, “Beautiful Day”
If you find yourself working excessively but your law firm is still struggling, you’re not alone—but chances are you’re wrong about why your firm is struggling.
Most of my new law firm clients complain that they are overworked while their business underperforms, and most believe their problem is a lack of resources. They don’t have enough staff; they don’t have enough money to pay the staff; they don’t have enough time in the day. The list goes on.
However, I can tell you confidently that your problem is not a lack of resources; it’s a lack of resourcefulness. Develop that trait, and the resources will follow.
What Is Resourcefulness?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines “resourceful” as “Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.” Put another way, it’s the ability to put your existing resources to the best possible use. Resourceful people don’t complain about what they don’t have—they make the most of what they do have. Out of that economy, they often end up generating more resources as needed.
Can you see the difference? When you focus only on resources (or lack thereof), you’re compelled to sit and wait until you have the things you think you need. When you cultivate resourcefulness, waiting becomes irrelevant. You just do as much as you can, until more resources present themselves.
Learning to Be Resourceful
How does one develop this trait, and, more specifically, how can it help you overcome your current challenges? Let’s begin with a simple two-step exercise.
- Take an inventory.What assets do you currently have that could help you solve your problem? What do you believe you lack?
- Look for ways to maximize your current assets.How can you use your current resources to bridge the gap? What are the existing assets that you have, but don't use to their utmost?
From there, remember that resourcefulness is a way of thinking that helps you solve problems more creatively.
This article from Inc. offers some great examples of how resourceful people think.
If your law firm is struggling, we can be your first resource to help turn things around. Call us today at 888-907-9958.
