2010 is coming up fast. It’ll be here in 31 days.

Are you getting ready?

For some family law practitioners 2010 will bring lots of new developments and changes. They’ll have new marketing programs, updated technology, and more progressive management.

For others, 2010 will bring a repeat of 2009 (and 2008 and 2007 and 2006) and will bring the same old problems along with the same old complaints.

Will you be whining about your revenues, receivables, time management and clients? Or will you be energized by the steps you’re taking and the results you’re seeing?

Are you planning to expand your social media presence, your web presence, and your referral source network? Are you planning to shift from a service based business to a product based business? Are you going to offer new services? Will you bring new types of professionals in to your practice? Will you discover services your clients would like and start delivering them?

What about technology? Will you move to a practice management system? Will you incorporate document assembly? Will you move your practice to the cloud? Will you adopt a modern phone system? Will you put the latest technology in the hands of all your users and train them to use it?

What about management? Will you create new positions you’ve never had before? Will you have a director of social media? Will you have someone helping clients find creative ways to pay for your services? Will you revamp your compensation system? What about benefits? Will you make your firm an amazing place to work?

Fundamentally, my question is – Are you going to have a new year in 2010 or are you going to do the same old thing?

Maybe you’re okay with a repeat of last year. But, I know if you aren’t moving forwards, you’re moving backwards.

That’s a fact. Your competition will keep moving. You can’t stand still. Especially not in the competitive environment we’re in now.

31 days until 2010. Use those days to build your plan. The clock is ticking.