The problem with "sustainable success" advice

 

Last week, I wrote about the subtle self-sabotage of chasing the “optimal path”—even when it’s clearly not sustainable. Because burning out from chasing the "optimal path" doesn't just cost you your energy—it costs you a shot at building a path that could actually work for you.

This week, I want to build on that.

Here's where I think others get it wrong: they start by talking about WHAT you should do to make your path more sustainable.

But every path to success is unique (depending on your firm, your department, the lawyers you work for, the type of work you do, how much work you do, etc, as well as your strengths, weaknesses, etc.).

Since every path to success is unique (including yours), you have no idea whether what worked for them will work for you (e.g. your buddy Adam might swear by not checking his phone after 7pm, but he's a tax specialist and you're in M&A juggling closings. It's a different game.).

So instead of focusing on what others are doing, focus on HOW they do it—on the main levers that you can adjust to trade a little bit of likelihood of success for a lot of sustainability.

Here are a few:

  1. Who you’re working for.

  2. The type of work you’re doing.

  3. How much work you’re doing.

  4. The control you have over your schedule.

  5. Where you’re working from.

  6. The support you have.

Got others you’d add to the list?

I'm curious: what would you adjust to make your path more sustainable?

 
 

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Paul KarvanisComment