It’s no debate that the legal profession is plagued with long-suffering professionals who are stressed, depressed, and living with the belief that life as a lawyer just has to be this way. Although they realize that there are other options, many feel stuck; in fact, some have accepted the notion that being a lawyer is just miserable. But not everyone feels this way! After my decade of practicing law and several years coaching lawyers, I have met hundreds of lawyers who have created careers they love. What sets them apart from the rest of unhappy lawyers is that they have learned to curate their own careers.
What is a curated career? It’s one that involves deep reflection, intentional thought, and a vastly different set of questions than we currently ask ourselves in law school about how to choose a job. It is not a happy accident or a lucky break — it’s the result of deliberate actions and choices that align with one’s personal values. A curated career is individual to you and you only. Creating such a career lies within your own power. Some may help you along the way, but no one can do the work for you. There is, however, a roadmap.
