Perspective Counts

NOTsoRandom Fact about me: I don't believe in luck or coincidences.

A week from today, several of my friends and mentees will be sitting for the July 2015 administration of their respective state bar exams. This time last year, I was in an nervous haze: I was hyped up on caffeine and listened to Kaplan lectures while I slept (hoping my subconscious would absorb what I consciously could not)

I don't claim ANY credit for last July's exam outcome. *praise break* Thankfully, the blood still works and it lead to me attending a reception for new admittees to the Maryland Bar hosted by the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, Inc. (http://bournebar.org) this past weekend.  While the food was good and the fellowship was great, there were three life lessons imparted by nearly every speaker/experienced attorney and judge:

1. Guard Your Reputation

Young professionals are unknown commodities. We MUST work to ensure that our work product and personality are assets and not liabilities. 

2. Build Relationships

While you are making sure your name is not trash on the streets, young professionals MUST go beyond basic networking and develop relationships with peers as well as more experienced professionals.  It's not enough to collect business cards or connections on LinkedIn. Young professionals should seek mentorship and solicit critiques. It's not just who you know. It's who you know who likes you, trusts your work product, and is willing to connect you to (or actively support you in your pursuit of) professional development opportunities.

3. Keep an Open Mind

Now, that you have a good reputation and developed professional relationships, young professionals MUST be flexible. Everyone I spoke to had a serendipitous moment when they deviated from their original career plans. Perhaps, they realized their dream job was actually a nightmare. Or they wanted to increase their income.  Maybe, the job they took was the only one they could find. Whatever the reason, everyone could point to an experience or relationship during that deviation that is related to their current position and ultimately enhanced them professionally.

Some people were even able to view apparent failures favorably. While it is my hope that my friends and mentees pass their respective state bar exams, if that does not happen, I want to let them know it is not the end of the world. One of my attorney mentors disclosed to me that they did not pass the bar the first time. In fact, it was during their preparation for their second attempt that they met their future business partner (and now a close personal friend). This demonstrates that "failures", NOs, slammed closed doors, "wrong turns," etc. are merely possible segues to an eventual pass/success, yes, open window (or an even better open door), and/or a realization that you are actually on the right path. I truly believe you will find yourself if you lose yourself in a worthwhile purpose.

The truth I want to send up on this Tuesday, July 21, 2015 was inspired from the "unsolicited confessions" of one of my Facebook friends:

No individual is all good or all bad. I am the sum total of my experiences, relationships, and education. Whether good, bad, or ugly, I will endeavor to perceive each as a stepping stone to the next great place I am meant to be.  

*turns on my family's adopted theme song 

"Ain't No Stopping Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead* 

 

 

[07.24.15. UPDATE: After work this evening, I attended the New Admittees reception hosted by the Alliance of Black Women Attorneys of Maryland, Inc. and the Monumental City Bar Association on Thursday. I was inspired and challenged to pursue justice after hearing the remarks and follow-up one-on-one conversations with the Honorable Shirley M. Watts, Judge, Court of Appeals, 6th Appellate Circuit (Baltimore City) and the Honorable Donna F. Edwards,  U.S. Representative for Maryland's 4th Congressional District:

 

 

 

My full reflection on the truth shared is coming next Tuesday, July 28, 2015!!!]