The 80/20 Principle

Information overload created by digital technology causes us a lot of anxiety. But the real source of trouble is less obvious. Once you get clear about the root cause of anxiety you can better understand how to counteract it. Information Anxiety , by Richard Saul Wurman (an invaluable guidebook for dealing with data overload) General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain free...

Show Notes In the Information Age you need to understand how to more effectively process information, and how to create valuable knowledge. You need to be systematic and thoughtful. And you need a good way to capture ideas and refine them over time to create valuable knowledge. Let's talk about how to capture and refine ideas by using a solid note taking system. General Resources Learn to use tech...

Ideally, you should touch each email only once. You need a good system for processing your emails quickly and effectively, because how you make decisions about handling email says a lot about how effective you are at making higher level decisions. Hey.com ; the new email service that I'm trying out (using the email address ernieattorney@hey.com ) Jason Fried's books on Amazon Jason Fried's blog po...

If you want to survive in this world of constant change and massive disruption you need to efficiently and effectively process digital information. If you want to thrive you need to get to a higher level and find ways to leverage new opportunities that are arising from the exponentially increasing prevalence of digital technology. YouTube video re: Information Processing (this is a 5 minute video...

Show Notes Simplifying your practice is hard, but you can make it easier. First, learn to shift your mind and start seeing the power of simplicity in everyday language. The six word exercise discussed in this episode can be applied to your business in practical ways. Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure The Hemingway app (a free online editing tool) Check o...

Show Notes You want to effectively manage your law business so that you get more work done, more easily, and more reliably. Technology can definitely help, especially automation. But there are other elements besides technology that you need to leverage in a delicate combination. In this episode, you'll discover the other 5 key elements that will enable you to make dramatic improvements to how your...

Show Notes Ernie ruminates about marketing with Ramesh Reddy, a young lawyer that he mentored in his early career. Afterwards, Ramesh focused on learning the fundamentals of marketing his law practice. Both Ernie and Ramesh have found success with the same principles, which they discuss in an informal, engaging way. Ramesh's law firm website Mike Kim (an exceptional marketer/copywriter) Ray Edward...

Show Notes Growing up blind taught Richard Chen how to deal with uncertainty, solve problems creatively, and adapt reflexively to changing circumstances—skills that help him in his day-to-day law practice. Discover how technology helps him do his work, even though he can't use a mouse with his computer. Richard explains why relies heavily on systems and processes to keep his practice running smoot...

Show Notes Stacey Randall Brown is a small business owner who figured out how to generate new clients through referrals BUT without asking for those referrals. She cracked the code to overcoming the decades old advice that says to receive referrals you must ask for them. There are many ways to generate referrals but Stacey's way is the best way. The key thing to understand is that referrals come f...

Getting what you most want in life is important, but many people get derailed, discouraged, or defeated in their attempt. Michael Lewis faced adversity, and so did Ernie. Even Ernie's dad, the psychoanalyst that helped people get what they most wanted had struggles. Understanding other people's struggles helps you realize that you're normal if you struggle. After listening to this episode you'll u...

Your beliefs are the biggest factor in how much success you can achieve, and it's hard for people to adjust their beliefs without help. The people who help you overcome limiting self-beliefs will often make you feel uncomfortable. But if you can't deal with discomfort you'll never achieve your biggest dreams. Michael Lewis' podcast episode about his high school baseball coach , Billy Fitzgerald (a...

Personal development is important if you want to grow and become "your best self." But there are insidious impediments to personal growth, which are important to recognize. And it's important to learn how to get past those impediments if you want to create a law practice that's fulfilling. More importantly, it's vital for creating a LIFE that you truly enjoy. Resources Mentioned Tim Ferriss' inter...

Lawyers, of all modern "knowledge workers," should be highly adept at gathering key information. Sadly, too many of us lack the search skills we need. Mostly, it's a problem of insufficient awareness about where to search or how to search using tools that aren't law-specific. In this episode, you'll learn how to become more aware, and what exactly to focus your "search awareness" on. Tracers for L...

Show Notes In this episode, you'll meet Erik Pickering, whose company (Tracers) helps lawyers and investigators turn up vital information that's often indispensable to the outcome of cases. From doing social media research about jurors or witnesses to finding missing witnesses or missing heirs in probate matters, Tracers is a service that can probably help you more than you might imagine. Tracers...

Show Notes You can plan right now to improve your life and practice, and there's a great way to do that kind of planning. It's probably not a way of planning that you're used to, but it's easy to do and very effective. Especially right now, during this worldwide shutdown of economic activity and social gatherings. Yes, right now is the best time. Download  my Vision Quest Brainstorming Guide (disc...

The Coronavirus pandemic is obviously a disaster, but it's also an opportunity if you know how to capitalize on it . I faced a similar situation when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 and I seized an important opportunity (not without a lot of trepidation, mind you). General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource : https://www.the8020lawyer.c...

Conrad Saam is one of very few legal marketing experts that Ernie trusts. In this episode, Conrad explains what lawyers should and shouldn't do in this current pandemic crisis. He talks about which practice areas are seeing a boost in activity, and why. Conrad's company website: Mockingbird Marketing Ernie's LawFirm Autopilot Slack Group Signup for the (now) 100% Virtual Small Firm Bootcamp Get Er...

Show Notes Mike Whelan was a family law practitioner who realized that many old ways of practicing law don't work anymore, which makes lawyers more stressed today than they've ever been. He identifies the problem as something called "the churn" in his excellent book: Lawyer Forward . In this episode Ernie asks him about how lawyers can overcome the churn to create profitable and enjoyable practice...

Family law practitioner Elise Buie has built a paperless practice that is super streamlined and optimized for remote work. She and Ernie share thoughts about how Hurricane Katrina helped motivate lawyers to adopt technology that improved their practices. Listen in and find out why she says that learning to practice virtually not only helps your firm run smoother but also dramatically improves your...

Here are helpful lessons I learned during the massive social disruption of Hurricane Katrina that are relevant and helpful to you during the Covid-19 situation. The current pandemic is forcing many of us to work from home in isolation. We need to become adept at working remotely and collaborating virtually. Here are 3 vital things that will help you do that better. Twitter ; - sign up for an accou...

David Sparks is a solo business lawyer in Orange County, California. He's been a frequent speaker at bar association conferences around the country, including the ABA TECHSHOW, where he helps lawyers learn to better harness the power of technology to make their practices run more smoothly, with less effort. David is a well-known speaker, author, and podcaster (i.e. Mac Power Users , Automators ;,...

How would your best accountant friend recommend you streamline your law firm's management of bookkeeping, accounting, and general finances? Listen & find out... Show Notes Amanda Aguillard has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2001. She holds a Masters Degree in Taxation from the University of Denver, and loves helping small law firms (and other small businesses) improve their financial dat...

Ernie interviews Mark Homer about effective marketing for small law firms, and how he helps his lawyer clients get better noticed and found, online and offline. Show Notes Mark Homer's GNGF website (GNGF stands for "get noticed, get found") Online Law Practice Strategies: How to Turn Clicks Into Clients , by Mark Homer (the book we discussed in the episode) GNGF.tv ; - Live interviews, updates, an...

What is a "personal brand?" You are a personal brand, so you should understand what it means and how to strengthen your brand in powerful and tasteful ways. Show Notes Mike Kim's website Brand You podcast (Mike shares weekly insights about personal branding here) General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource : https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on...

Getting clients by sending a monthly email is effective and much easier than attending networking lunches. That's what business attorney Erica Pero discovered.   Show Notes Erica Pero's website Erica Pero's sample January Email Newsletter (compiled in Mailchimp) LFA Podcast #81 with John Rafferty Private Facebook group for Email Referral Marketing General Resources Learn to use technology to reduc...