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Many of you are coming around to the idea of shifting your focus in voir dire from trying to figure out who your "bad" jurors are to focusing on finding your "ideal" juror instead. What you focus on, you create. If you look for ideal jurors, I firmly believe you'll find them. That said, some of you have asked the question, "Won't identifying my ideal juror cause opposing counsel to kick them off?" And the answer is: Yes, it might. But you don't need to worry about this if you've formed the group. One of our primary needs as humans is a sense of belonging. Humans crave feeling like a part of a group. When you get jurors formed around the principles in your case, you create a group dynamic. That group dynamic exerts influence on the members. In this way, then, you are looking for your ideal JURY vs. your ideal JUROR. In other words, once you figure out what principles your case centers around, and you get jurors rallying around those principles as a group, opposing counsel can kick off members of the group but it won't matter, because the group still remains. It's group formation you're after, not convincing individual jurors to vote your way. Get the group formed and ready for battle and any attempt of opposing counsel to kill individual soldiers won't do much good. Give this podcast a listen to learn more.  Ok, it's January 6th, so maybe you've already planned your year, but if you haven't, I've got five essential questions for you to answer before you do. When most people plan their year, (or New Year's Resolutions or what have you) they start by what they want to do or accomplish. I suggest you start with a different question. Question #1: How do I want to be this year? All doing flows from being. Meaning, however you "are" is what you will produce. Frantic, frazzled and panicked? You'll produce frantic, frazzled results. Start your planning by asking yourself, "how do I want to be this year?" For me, I want to be calm, at peace and have lots of space. That informed how I put my schedule together.  Question #2: What's my theme for the year?
Once I decided I wanted to be calm, at peace and have lots of space, I asked...why? And the answer was because I had had a pretty frantic year of getting my book done and edited and to print and it was time to settle in for some development; of myself, of my business and of the From Hostage to Hero brand. So that became my theme for the year: DEVELOPMENT. All of my scheduling choices now flow from that question. Is this something that will develop me or my business or From Hostage to Hero? If the answer is no, I don't make time for it. Question #3: How can I schedule this? It's one thing to decide how you want to be and what your theme is, but now you need to bring it into reality. For me, I need space to develop. So, I created a schedule where I have lots of down time so I can study and work on my business. Whatever you decide, carve out time for you FIRST, and then add in all of your other obligations. Question #4: What are my routines? As you're scheduling, don't forget about routines that help you attune to yourself. What do I mean "attune?" Routines that help you feel your best and center you for the work you have ahead of you. For me I have a morning routine that includes morning pages, (see Julia Cameron's Artist Way) journaling, exercise and meditation. I also have an evening routine that includes online courses, a quiet time ritual, reading and stretching. These don't have much, if anything to do with "development" they’re just for me. I suggest you decide on some routines you can count on as you move through your year as well. Question #5: What are your boundaries? Once you've scheduled out your life to reflect how you want to be, you need to decide on your boundaries. What will you say yes to? What will you say no to? Creating a litmus test can help. For me, before accepting any gig or client I ask myself four questions: 1. Do I want to do this? 2. Does it fit my schedule? 3. Does it advance my goals? 4. Does the money make sense? If I can't answer at least three questions affirmatively, I don't even consider it. I have other boundaries too; I only ever work one weekend a month. I only see a certain amount of clients each day, etc. What are YOUR boundaries? 2020 vision is seeing clearly. Let 2020 be your year to get focused and living a life YOU'VE designed instead of merely reacting to all of life's challenges and waking up 20 years from now in a life you don't enjoy or recognize. Happy New Year! Give this podcast episode a listen to learn more. |
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