The beauty of becoming a lawyer is that you have multiple career options. You have independence and flexibility to pursue your own goals and the path by which you decide to pursue those goals. You even have the freedom to decide for yourself how you define "success" in your legal career. 

With the bar exam done, you should be thinking about the next steps in your career and how to achieve your goals. After 35 years in the industry, I have found these seven tips help young lawyers navigate the legal industry and hope they help you succeed in your career. 

Take Personal Responsibility for Charting Your Own Path

To be successful, you should take full ownership and responsibility for your actions. Be self-disciplined and self-managing. Realize that no one is as interested in your well-being as you. Don't sit back passively and wait on others to show you the path. Be proactive and take initiative for yourself and your future. 

Learn Your Craft First

Regardless of the path you choose, you will need to demonstrate a good work ethic and professional work habits. You should strive to acquire subject matter expertise and become a thought leader. Along the way, produce high-quality legal work. These skills will propel you a long way in whatever direction you may choose.

Identify and Use Mentors 

Few successful people got there alone. Most attribute part of their success to relationships they developed along the way with role models and mentors.  As a mentee, actively seek out mentorship relationships, both within your organization and on the outside. Meet often and regularly with your mentors. Seek their advice, listen and then assimilate it in a way that fits your personality and goals. Peers can also be a source of feedback and inspiration in the same way you use mentors. Ideally, you will be blessed with a mentor and peers who become your advocates and sponsors and help you along the way.

Integrate Activities Into a Strategic Plan 

Successful people have specific goals and a plan for achieving them. Periodically review your goals and revise them. Have "stretch goals" but be flexible and opportunistic. Realize that what some people call "luck" is when "preparation meets opportunity." It is completely acceptable to adapt your goals to your experiences and as circumstances develop in your life. Without a plan, you will be rudderless and drift through your career at the mercy of others who planned better.

Constantly Look Out for Ways to Grow and Develop

The practice of law can be demanding. If you are not careful, it is easy to slip into the routine of just working on the cases or matters at hand in the short-term. But you can't lose sight your long-term goals. Take time every day to do something that helps you grow and develop, and that incrementally advances you toward your long-term goals. For example, take time out of brief-writing or research to call your mentor, read a self-help book or attend a bar or civic association meeting. 

Master the Art of Time Management

Time is a precious resource. Don't waste or squander it. Use every minute for something with a purpose. Learn how to manage multiple deadlines at a time and remember to leave time to deal with the unexpected. Take time for yourself or your family away from work, and it will help you be more productive when you return to work.

Put Organizational Metrics into Perspective

Law firms usually impose their own metrics of success or key performance indicators like billable hours. Often, those metrics or KPIs measure what is good for the organization. If you learn to think of billable hours as professional development opportunities for yourself, it will transform your outlook and approach. In the end, achieving those PDOs will lead to self-esteem, control, security and personal rewards for yourself. 

Bert Brannen is the managing partner of Fisher & Phillips' Atlanta office.