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[00:00:07] Scott Benton: Hey everyone, Scott Benton here. I’m the host of the Classroom 2 Courtroom podcast where we help you easily transition from a law school student into your professional career as an attorney and where we make the practice of law fun. And today we’re going to take a look at the idea of embracing challenges for professional growth, embracing challenges.
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[00:01:14] Scott Benton: This is crucial for new attorneys and law students alike because the reality is the legal profession is simply filled with challenges every single day. But rather than shying away, we need to remember to embrace these challenges. So when challenges come up, there’s a natural tendency to want to take a step back.
[00:01:33] Scott Benton: Therefore, you really need to remember to consciously lean into them, which is going to probably feel a little counterintuitive. In fact, let’s talk about why embracing challenges are so important and how it can lead you to significant personal and professional improvement.
[00:01:50] Scott Benton: For every time you choose to accept the challenge in front of you, whatever that challenge is, it’s going to circle back powerfully and even improve your ability to master and streamline the [00:02:00] use of the success cycle. The success cycle is that thing that we talk about on this podcast all the time.
[00:02:05] Scott Benton: That’s divided into three parts. That means that you’re going to be able to complete the legal work. of putting a to do list together, you’re going to then, that’s part one, you’re going to then do the second part, which is you’re going to perform those legal services. That’s part two. And then the third part is that you’re going to bill for the services that you’ve already completed.
[00:02:24] Scott Benton: And then of course, you’re going to start back over again at the to do list. on the success cycle and now you’re going to be able to move through that in a much more streamlined and confident fashion. So there’s really going to be a strong direct correlation between accepting challenges and growing your proficiency as an attorney.
[00:02:43] Scott Benton: So first, let’s consider the concept of the growth mindset. Now, in fact, there’s a really good book that you should get. It’s called Mindset by an author named Carol Dweck. And it’s all about this. It’s all about the different mindsets that you can adopt. And it’s a book I highly recommend. You [00:03:00] should definitely go pick it up and read it.
[00:03:01] Scott Benton: A growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and our intelligence can be improved upon simply through dedication and focused hard work. Now, this is exactly the opposite of a, what’s called fixed mindset, which is the belief that our abilities are unchangeable. So embracing challenges allows us to develop a growth mindset and why you want to do this as often as possible.
[00:03:27] Scott Benton: Now when you confront a challenge, you’re essentially programming yourself to grow and to improve through each challenging experience. And this is going to establish the growth mindset for you.
[00:03:38] Scott Benton: Now, when you’re starting out in a legal career, you’re going to face an endless amount of challenges and obstacles. They’re going to come up over and over and over again.
[00:03:46] Scott Benton: These could range anywhere from understanding complex legal concepts to navigating the intricacies of courtroom procedure, which is actually really easy to get overwhelmed by. But if every challenge you face is an opportunity to learn [00:04:00] from and to grow, then each and every obstacle you overcome, it’s going to simply expand your skill set.
[00:04:06] Scott Benton: Also, whenever a challenge arises, don’t hesitate to seek out advice from your colleagues. Senior attorneys, paralegals, even peers can provide valuable guidance that can help you navigate the more difficult situations that you find yourself up against.
[00:04:20] Scott Benton: Building strong relationships within your firm and even within the broader legal community becomes essential for this very reason. These people become your most valuable resources because your connections can usually offer a different perspective and they’ll come up with solutions that you just might not have even thought about. Another important component of embracing challenges is the practice of continuous learning. So as I’m sure you probably already know, the legal field is constantly evolving. There are new laws that are enacted, there are old ones that are amended, and court rulings can change the interpretation of some of the already existing laws.
[00:04:59] Scott Benton: So as [00:05:00] a lawyer, you need to keep yourself up to date, and you need to be willing to learn new things on a continuous basis. So this might mean attending CLE courses, or reading legal journals, or maybe even watching YouTube videos on specific legal procedures. But the more you learn, the better equipped you become in handling challenges that come your way.
[00:05:21] Scott Benton: Now, let’s talk about the importance of reflection. After you’ve faced a challenge, you really want to sit down and take some time to reflect on that experience.
[00:05:29] Scott Benton: What did you do well? What could you have done better? What could you have done differently? Reflection really helps you to learn all of the important lessons and prepare for any future challenges.
[00:05:39] Scott Benton: So consider keeping a journal where you document all of your experiences, both the successes and the setbacks. Doing this not only helps you learn from your experiences, but it also serves as a record of your professional growth. One of the better kept secrets to professional improvement is this idea of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.[00:06:00]
[00:06:00] Scott Benton: So in other words, the more you push yourself outside your comfort zone, the more you grow. Embrace the discomfort that comes along with new and challenging situations. And over time, you’re just going to find that what once seemed daunting becomes completely manageable and you’ll begin to develop the confidence and the ability to take on even bigger challenges.
[00:06:21] Scott Benton: So remember, the legal profession is not just about knowing the law. It’s also about problem solving, critical thinking, and effective communication. And communication is really important.
[00:06:31] Scott Benton: These skills are honed through experience, especially when you’re faced with challenges. So the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, you can see it as an opportunity to develop even more essential skills. These are the opportunities for you to take that will make you stronger and more experienced in your field.
[00:06:50] Scott Benton: So as you can see, embracing challenges is an extremely vital part of professional growth and development.
[00:06:55] Scott Benton: It helps you develop a growth mindset, it helps you build resilience, and [00:07:00] it expands your skill set. So with these goals in mind, you really want to seek out mentorship, you want to engage in continuous learning, and you want to reflect on your experiences. And even more importantly, as I already mentioned, you want to develop the ability to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
[00:07:16] Scott Benton: By doing so, you become a better lawyer while also enjoying a more fulfilling and rewarding career. So I hope this has been helpful information for you to take a look at. I’m Scott Benton. I’m the host of the Classroom 2 Courtroom podcast. Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out this episode.
[00:07:31] Scott Benton: Now if you like this podcast and you’d like to get more information about us, you can always go to our website at classroom2courtroom. com. That’s classroom2courtroom. com, where you can send us a message to keep in touch or even inquire about our seasonal associate programs we have available for law school students.
[00:07:48] Scott Benton: And as always, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay on top of all of our newest episodes. So until next time, we hope you’ll join us in making the world a better place, one client at a [00:08:00] time.
