The default settings aren’t always the settings that work for you. I’m in the country for a few weeks, and I’m using the visit to update my technology. I arrived to boxes of cool stuff here in Dallas. Christmas came early for me.
I spent Monday and Tuesday migrating, updating, downloading, and transferring stuff from one computer to another and from an older phone to a new phone. It’s kind of a hassle, but it’s my kind of hassle. I’m giddy.
Each device has default settings, and I enjoy tweaking them to get things exactly the way I like. I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time on the settings on my phone and computer this week.
But default settings are simply defaults. It’s always worth your while to examine the defaults and see whether they’re speeding you up or slowing you down. The default setting works for some, but not for all. Default settings have a powerful impact on our lives.
It’s worth examining your default setting for your life and your business. What do you do simply because everyone else does it? What settings came with your operating system and have never been reviewed?
Did you go to college because it’s the default setting? Do you own a home because it’s the default? What about having kids? Borrowing money? Using credit cards? Living where you live? Buying stuff? Owning a car? Sleeping at night? Investing in a 401(k)?
Do you own a business because your dad owned a business? Do you go to the soccer games because the other parents go? Did you read that book because everyone else read the book?
Is the default setting what came with you? Or did you adopt it at some point? Do you have an awareness of the possibility of changing the setting?
Look at our law firms and think about their default settings.
Consider the defaults:
- offices in buildings,
- lawyers in suits,
- doors on offices,
- business cards,
- voicemail,
- leather—lots of leather,
- partners and associates,
- receptionists,
- employees,
- employment benefits,
- dictation,
- folders and notebooks,
- file storage,
- billing by the hour,
- bar association membership,
- personnel policies,
- maternity/paternity leave,
- vacation,
- malpractice insurance,
- paper,
- text,
- health insurance,
- etc., etc., etc.
Are the defaults useful, helpful, and productive shortcuts to success, happiness, and profitability? Sometimes. Are they counterproductive, detrimental, and debilitating? Sometimes.
The key is not to switch every default. The key is to be aware of the settings and choose those that help you achieve your objective.
Everything comes with default settings. It’s worth investing the time to check yours and evaluate the need for a switch.
