I stumbled across an article intended to help solos be less lonesome. The article talked about the lonely solo toiling away in a dark, quiet, somber office typing away on the computer. It went on to discuss solos with no one to bounce ideas off of, get feedback from, or talk to at the coffee machine.
If you’re a solo and you’re lonesome, then you’re doing it wrong.
If your office is dark, quiet, and somber and you’re missing people, then get out of it. Get out!
If you’re busy, and if revenue is pouring in, then it’s not quiet. It’s filled with clients coming and going, staff members asking you questions, and e-mails and calls flowing in from virtual assistants, clients, and others. If you’re busy, then life is noisy.
For most of us, being busy and making money requires interfacing with the world. We’re dealing with others, regardless of whether they’re clients, employees, or vendors. There are people in our lives. That’s the nature of most law practices.
If it’s too quiet, then you’re likely not all that busy. If it’s too quiet, then you probably need more work. If it’s too quiet, then it’s time for you to make things happen so the place comes alive.
Where to Find Your People
You need to get out. You need to be with people. You need to market your practice by engaging with your community. Being lonesome is usually a sign that you’re not marketing. If you’re not marketing, then you’re likely not bringing in the money you need to make things work.
Bottom line: If you’re lonesome, then your bottom line is likely suffering as well.
So get out. Be with people. That’s how you get busy, and being busy will keep you from getting lonesome.
Join clubs. Invite others to lunch. Have a party. Take people to coffee. Do the pop-in at other lawyers’ offices. Drop in with bagels. Stop by with a bottle of wine. Hang out at the courthouse. Go observe a city council meeting. Get out.
If that’s not solving your loneliness problem, then take it up a notch in your personal life. Get engaged with groups on Meetup, take an exercise class, become a coffee shop regular, or join a church. These will get you engaged with people, and they’re good for business. Get out.
How Engagement With Others Can Build Your Practice
Imagine finding a running group on Meetup. You join and start training for a race. The group travels to the race together, has the pre-race meal together, does the run, celebrates afterward, and plans for the next event. The group does a spring party, a summer party, and a holiday party, and they run together four days per week. Their Facebook group is lively.
Do those people call you about their legal needs? Of course they do. Are you lonesome anymore? You don’t have time to be lonesome. That’s the result of taking one single action: joining the running group.
If you’re lonesome, then get busy. Get some work. Engage with the world. Talk to the people you meet. Take action. There’s no reason for a solo to get lonely. There are people out there waiting to meet you.
