Different Hats

Sometimes I wear two at once.

During law school, my professors would always preach the importance of "wearing different hats."  Did you just say ha---?  That's right.  Hats.

The different ways to think and solve problems are an important skill every lawyer should have.  But, what every SOLO attorney needs to know is that your "closet" of hats will sky rocket, much sooner than later.

Take for example, a simple website.  This past week I designed my firm's website.  I pride myself in being a bit more computer savvy than most, but jeez... that was difficult.  Ever notice how many different colors the bigger websites have?  Fonts?  Graphics?  It's dizzying.  But somehow I got through it and now I'll get the web space and domain name to host it (which I'll post later for everyone to applaud or heckle, I expect snickers mostly).

It's not that this is SO much work.  It's the sheer amount of small different roles (aka, the "hats") that makes the startup phase an uphill battle.  In the upcoming week or two, I will sign an office lease, establish an LLC, open a bank account for it, get stationary.... ohhh my neck hurts from all these darn HATS!  Where's that icepack (aka, the frozen peas)?

Solution?  Checklists, business plans, organizers... do whatever it takes to set up a list of goals.  After you jot everything down, prioritize them.  Then... get that list done.   Can it all be so simple?  Sure, after all, these hats aren't on our heads for no reason.  Put them on then get your hands dirty and do your job(s)!  Then you can take them off and finally clean up that hat hair.

2011.  Year of the hat hair.  Cheers!