I am not a runner.

I have an intermittent affair with running, but I am not a runner.

When I think about what it means to be a "runner" it conjures up an image of a skinny, gatorade drinking, powerbar eating athlete that I think some of my mother's homemade chocolate chip cookies might be able to benefit. No, I am more of a "big-boned," beer-drinking, lover of chocolate brownies and milk that suffers the periodic "condition" of wanting to run on a regular basis. I call it a "condition" because for me it is not a lot of fun, especially when I first get into one of these moods. In fact, the first week back in the mix I often think serious runners must have some undiagnosed psychosis. There's not only the struggle of getting out of bed early in the morning (which is my best opportunity), there are the physical aches of pains that come along with undertaking actual physical activity. These seem to be a little more prevalent with each year that passes. Notwithstanding all of this, I have recently gotten into the mood to do a little running.

I cannot claim an independent motivation this time around. Instead, a cousin said at Thanksgiving that we ought to train for a 5K when we see each each other again in February and maybe even try and do a sprint triathlon next summer. She is ambitious. It got me thinking, however, about how good I have felt in the past when training for certain events. It's hard for me to believe that I have actually managed to drag my body through two half-marathons. I even did a sprint-triathlon a few years back. Now some of you might be saying that I am a runner but you are wrong. I have not done anything in over a year, put on 15 lbs and just haven't felt quite like myself at least for a few months.

I have been guilty of using the excuse that I am too busy. In fact, I have used it many times over the years to justify "taking a little break" from exercise. What is originally intended to be a few days off turns into a few weeks, and then before you know it, a few months of inactivity has gone by. With obligations to building a law practice, spending time with family, church & community involvement, etc., time is by far my most precious commodity. I daresay the same goes for most people. For attorneys, time is our stock in trade. Although the tide seems to be changing to alternative billing structures, most attorneys still bill their clients based on the time spent on a matter so there is a direct correlation on time spent and money made. There always seems to be too much to do and not enough time and everything should have been done yesterday. With so much going on, it is easy to justify cutting a weekly exercise routine.  The interesting thing I have found which is contrary to common logic is that I gain back all the time I actually spent on the exercise (about 30 minutes) and then some in efficiency throughout any given day.

In addition to the net gain in time, there are of course the many well-known health benefits associated with exercise. For me, that is not the primary reason to run.  Instead, every time I start working out again I am quickly reminded that breaking a sweat makes me feel better. I am less stressed, more alert, and more focused. I eat better, my heartburn goes away, and I don't feel as chubby. My confidence increases, I am happier, and, as I mentioned before, I have an overall increase in that most precious asset, time. So, even if it hurts to get back into a groove, I know that when I make working out a priority I feel better, think more clearly, and am actually going to get more done than if I had hit the snooze button a few more times.


If I haven't sold you on running, well, I am not surprised. Remember, I am not a runner. Do me a favor though and figure out how you can incorporate some movement into your busy life, even a couple days a week. Then do it for 2-3 weeks. I guarantee you will feel better, and the people around you will notice.

Expanding into NY?

As I think my few readers know, I was fortunate enough to pass the New York bar exam which I took last July. I still need to submit some paperwork for the state to check-up on me but if all goes well (which I don't foresee any problems), I should be licensed in NY by early spring in 2012. Of course, I cannot give any legal advice in NY until then but it has got me thinking more about how I can expand my business once my license goes through.

Part of my reasoning for going through the entire process again in New York, including the exam, was so I could feel free to discuss simple matters with family. Both my wife and I grew up outside of Albany, NY and many of our contacts, lifelong friends, and extended families still live there. The more I think about it, the more I believe I might be able to accept clients at the very least in Columbia, Greene, & Albany Counties where we visit somewhat regularly anyway. Technology has made this much more more feasible. There are ways to set up a "virtual office" or other alternatives like renting space on an hourly basis from another firm. I heard about a couple that runs an office in Washington D.C. while living out of the country. That is crazy. If this is possible, I don't see why I couldn't figure out something for expanding my market into New York, once I am licensed to practice there.

There is a book out called "Virtual Law Practice: How to Deliver Legal Services Online" (http://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Law-Practice-Deliver-Services/dp/1604428287/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323270003&sr=1-1)  recently published by the American Bar Association that I plan to read soon. I am hoping that it will give me some great ideas on how to set things up. If you have read the book or have any other good links to sites discussing this subject please leave a comment so that others can learn from you.

Until next time...

FirmFuture Conference

Today I drove out to Boston to attend the FirmFuture conference (http://www.firmfutureconference.com/). I attended seminars on using social media marketing, work-life balance, start-up considerations, technology, etc. It was good. I am re-tooling and am going to be doing some things I should have set up in the first place. I would definitely recommend the conference to other attorneys next year.

The various seminars were good reminders on a lot of things I need to do better. Much of what I need to work on is keeping up with the times - technology, marketing, etc. I can't say I have been great at that the last few years. I'd be lying if I didn't  admit being a little intimidated by smartphones, tablets, apps, app stores, accepting credit cards, etc. As I have been seeing on a daily basis, this is the stuff I need to know and understand. I guess if I'm really coming clean, I'm a little cheap too and hate to shell out for a  better phone and the added expense of adding data to my plan. There is also the fear that being able to connect all the time will make it more difficult to find that balance that I am striving for. But, the encouraging words I heard today that I think can be tough for attorneys is that it is okay to unplug...in fact, it is necessary to keep your sanity and maintain personal relationships.

As far as marketing, in addition to some traditional techniques, LinkedIn is apparently being utilized effectively along with blogs in conjunction with Twitter. I already have a LinkedIn account but joined the ranks of Twitter today. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts and comments on how you have used these tools to build your business (not just a law firm).

Then come follow me on Twitter so I have someone to Tweet to. https://twitter.com/#!/NathanielTripp