How is your year shaping up?
Six months into the year is a good time to pause and evaluate. Have you landed the business you thought you would in the first half of the year? Are you spotting opportunities that will help you end the year strong? Perhaps you haven’t found the time to dig into business development, and you are starting to feel the pressure? Or have you tried to re-start your efforts a few times, but have no consistency?
Whatever your situation is, it’s never too late to commit to business development.
One of the best ways to do that is to work with a business development coach. These professionals help establish short- and long-term goals, build business development strategies, identify targets and tactics, and act as accountability partners for a sustained effort.
If you are thinking you’ve missed the chance at making a commitment to business development this year, I beg to differ.
Lawyers who get the most out of working with a coach aren’t the ones who started on January 1st. They’re the ones who start when they are ready. A few considerations:
Business Development Works, Regardless of Your Start Date
Client relationships, referral sources, and reputations are built over years. A coach helps you build momentum from your personal starting block. Engage a coach to help you create visibility, build consistency in connecting with your contacts, and nurture the relationships that will help you achieve the kind of work you find most rewarding.
Starting Now Builds Future Momentum
Lawyers who wait until the new year to “start fresh” waste a lot of precious time. Commit to setting goals, building a plan, establishing a process, and tracking your progress. By starting now, you set up habits that build momentum for next year.
Waiting for the “Perfect Time” Doesn’t Make It Easier
Procrastination is not your friend, especially when it comes to building a law practice. It’s tempting to think there are better times to start a business development initiative. I think we all know there is no “perfect time” to start marketing your services. The longer you wait, the more missed opportunities for connection and visibility. Starting now, even in the middle of a busy year, is almost always better than waiting for conditions that may never feel ideal.
Six Months to Make Real Progress
In six focused months of effort, you can build real habits, have dozens of meaningful conversations, sharpen how you talk about your practice, and further relationships that may turn into work down the line. Consistency is the key to progress, so commit to spending time every week to further your business development efforts using the support of your coach.
The Best Time to Start Is When You’re Ready
If you’ve been holding off on hiring a business development coach because you think you’ve missed a window or because you just never got around to it, it’s time to refocus. The lawyers who see results are the ones who decide to commit, show up consistently, and trust the process.
Sure, it’s June. But it’s not too late. Don’t wait for more time to elapse. There’s plenty of runway left in this year to make an impact.
Do you have questions about coaching? I welcome the chance to talk about you and your practice and how I may help you build more visibility and bring in more work. Please connect with me at [email protected].