Like a song that has different meanings at different times
in life, this movie struck me with its simplicity and rather poignant
message. Particularly when you apply it
to business. In a three part harmony or
play it makes for some actionable advice as you think of 2015 and how you are
going to grow your practice.
Think of what your craziest goal is and what a year to end
all other years in your career would look like.
Feel that anxiety and doubt creep in.
How will I ever get from here to there? I have always generated this
much business. How will I ever get than
many new clients, grow my practice, find time for that certification, stick to
a workout plan, unplug for a vacation with my family.. Sounds great, wont ever
happen.
Bbbbb baby step your
way to a seminar…Bbbb baby step your way to a networking event, Bbbb baby step
your way away from your laptop and phone to a weekend getaway.
The anxiety is simply too much! I’m doing the steps, working the system..I
need I need!
Time to take a
vacation from your problems. What if
all of the reasons why you couldn’t do something didn’t exist? Chances are,
they really don’t. The fear, uncertainty, and doubt is but a terror barrier that
you have put up that prevents you from doing what you can do. Forget them, take a vacation from them. If they are real, they will always be
there. Close the place up, have a
neighbor watch them, pay a few months in advance for lawn service and get away
from them.
The top rainmaker that I know gets out of town for a weekend
a year to a hotel 50 miles away. Leaves
his phone and laptop behind. Hikes,
reads, reflects. He comes back with hand
written goals for his next year and throws out what didn’t work that year. He gets away from the noise and comes back
with a plan.
Death therapy
In the last part of the film, Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard
Dreyfuss) reaches his breaking point
with Bob (Bill Murray). Bob has been
taking Dr. Leo’s advice so literally that it creates a breakthrough, but not
until Bob looks inward at what all of this has meant. He is chained to a tree with bags of dynamite
and comes up with the metaphor. The
clock is ticking, he is chained, about to die. Rather than panic he realizes
that all that he has been must die to REALLY live.
To control your destiny in a law firm, the service partner
must die to give way to a rainmaker.
Just like the associate or law student had to die to become a
partner. All of the things that have
held you back to this point have to go to give life to what you can be. Even the best practices need pruning.
With fall leaves and cool weather upon us, use that metaphor
for what you need to start planning for when the cool thaws and you have baby
stepped your way into next year.
