“Success is adding value to yourself. Significance comes when you add value to others. You can’t have true success without significance.” – John Maxwell
I have devoted myself to becoming one of the best personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys in Dallas. This past month, I was voted onto D Magazine’s ‘D Best’ Lawyers in Dallas list for the third consecutive year, and fifth time overall.
Throughout my career, I have been blessed to work with some wonderful colleagues who have encouraged and inspired me to grow into a significant contributor to our field. I would be remiss if I did not return the favor and help encourage my colleagues to a place of greater significance.
Work Hard, But Take It Easy
I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but there are no shortcuts to success. Hard work is the only way to achieve success beyond that which you first envision. The most important lessons you will learn in life and within your career are achieved by giving yourself over to hard work.
In and out of the courtroom, thorough preparation is critical. To this day, I strive to be the most prepared lawyer on the case. I do not take shortcuts. If it means reading every line of thousands of pages of medical records, then so be it.
However, do not allow yourself to get completely out of balance along the way. You must also show restraint and take care of yourself: mind, body, and spirit. In our field, we are never “caught up.” We will never complete all the work there is to do.
It’s important to keep your eyes on the goal, but not lose grip of your health. Here are a few super simple tips to help you continue performing your best:
- Get Restful Sleep, 7-9 hours each night
- Daily Exercise
- Bask In Sunlight & Nature
- Eat a Balanced Diet
I know it sounds ridiculously simple, but just doing these few things will keep you balanced and able to go the distance.
Have A Strong ‘Why’
My ‘why’ is to make healthcare safer in America by rooting out fraud, greed, and incompetence and holding the wrongdoers accountable to those they harm. What’s yours?
Being financially rewarded for doing great work is nice, but not sustainable alone. You have to know why you are working to achieve the things you set out to do. Inspiration and end goals are not enough to keep you moving forward when situations become difficult or you falter in one way or another. You must have something that pushes you onward; your why.
A strong why is key to long-term success and significance. Having others see, understand, and believe in why you are doing what you do is the greatest factor to your true success.
Make the work you do as much for you as it is for your clients. Know what it is you offer and focus your efforts on adding significant value to your life and your clients.
Always Continue Learning
Another important factor in becoming successful (and remaining successful) is to be intellectually curious.
I consider myself a lifelong learner. I like to spend time reading, listening to podcasts, and attending conferences so that I continue to introduce myself to new topics and studies and hear solutions to problems from today’s top minds.
We live in a world rich with information. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn.
Be Willing To Fail
If you stay in the safe zone and don’t take huge risks, you cannot amplify your growth. When you face scary situations, like going to trial, think to yourself “what is the worst thing that can happen?”
Losing a trial and/or losing money are all things we can cope with if we have to. Being willing to fail means you are able to take bigger risks and therefore have the potential for greater reward.
Fear is not your friend. Be bold and fearless!
I Want To Help You
Life is short. We’re not guaranteed any amount of time or success in this life, so I implore you to spend every second you have trying to better yourself, and your life.
I love hearing from all of you and am always here to help you on your journey to significance. Feel free to reach out to me directly at kvw@vwmwlaw.com if I can help you in any way.
