Originally published on May 24, 2010 in our free BigLaw newsletter.
Today I wield a wider brush … I'm swooping it through the sensuous goo of Cadmium Yellow, Alizarin Crimson or Ultramarine Blue to create the biggest, brightest, funniest, fiercest damn dragon that I can … you have a masterpiece inside you, too, you know. One unlike any that has ever been created, or ever will be … no one else can paint it. Only you. — Gordon MacKenzie, Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving with Grace.Your alarm clock goes off and you groan. I know. Most Americans feel the same way. Too many of my mornings started that way during this recession.
Large firm culture is tough to survive, especially in a down economy. I've heard every "chin up" phrase in the book: "Be grateful you have a job," "Hang in there," "Of course you hate your job — that's why it's called a job." These lousy aphorisms typically come from people who hate their own jobs and have no idea how to address their predicament. Please ignore them.
Even in a law firm filled with stressed out people, poor morale, and the looming threat of layoffs, you can survive and keep your sanity intact. Give these ideas a try and let me know if they help you see a a brighter future beyond the gloomy horizon. They worked for me.
1. Earn Some Beer Money, Maybe Even Vacation Money
Say goodbye to income from a single source and hello to the reality of the new economy. In February, I started a yoga teacher training class. I just graduated and am now using this experience to begin my own business. For the past two years, I've worked on my freelance writing projects, which have paid off in spades with job offers, paid writing gigs, and loads of contacts. Think about what you enjoy doing, and then find a way to use it to make a little extra on the side, and more importantly, expand your social network.
2. Talk to Entrepreneurs and Read About Them
Entrepreneurs are the economy's fountain of youth. They face tough odds, and their businesses go through more ups and downs than large firms yet they keep looking up. A wise yoga teacher once told me, "I'd rather do my own work poorly than do someone else's work well." Every other entrepreneur I've ever met feels that way too. Their energy will get you thinking in new ways about your own role in the world. They'll inspire to take your future into your own hands.
3. Ask for Work You Want
If there's a matter that interests you at your firm, ask to work on it. The worst your assigning partner will say is "no." So what? If you're going to be "stuck" at your job for a while, at least learn what you want to learn. Your firm uses you to get its work done, so why not use it to get the experience you want? Turnabout is fair play.
4. Volunteer and Get Your Firm to Help You
Through work, I got involved with pro-bono projects that enable me put my business skills to work for nonprofits that want to change the world. I teach several classes through Junior Achievement of New York, and took the United Way's nonprofit board training, all sponsored by my employer. My company matches my charitable contribution up to $8,000 a year and I've leveraged this benefit for the good of the organizations I support. The psychic benefits from volunteering help me keep stress at bay.
5. Have a Creative Outlet
No matter how bad work gets, I come home and write every day. My blog is for me, no permission required. It's one area of my life that no one else has a say in, and having a creative vehicle that's solely my own is a gratifying, empowering experience. My writing has made me a seriously happy, confident person. Change your mind, and you change everything.
Conclusion
In short, the world can't afford to have us frustrated and lost and discouraged. It needs us, the very best of us, everyday. Stop wishing for the economy to get better, for your boss to fully appreciate your contributions, or for the government to deliver a bailout that answers your needs. You are the person you've been waiting for to lead yourself out of these dark days and into a better world. Each day is not just an opportunity — it's your responsibility as a well-educated, passionate, creative person to give the best you've got, regardless of circumstances. Be fierce — better days won't just magically appear. You have to build them yourself. A masterpiece is a terrible thing to waste.
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