I was at a CLE the other day and a lawyer I like and respect very much said a mentor of his told him to pick one thing and be really good at it. As a result, he specializes in a few types of cases.
I started thinking (always dangerous). I realized when I changed my practice to simplify things, I was doing just that. I had one extra advantage. Not only did I pick one thing I wanted to be good at, I also picked something I was passionate about and I knew a lot about.
I wanted to specialize in helping people with catastrophic injuries. Those people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations and other conditions that seem too overwhelming to tackle. I wanted to specialize in something that would allow me to give back to those people who helped me and my family through what could’ve been insurmountable.
I want to be as knowledgeable and compassionate as Dr. Donovan. My rehab doctor who took me from an 18-year-old kid to a 30-year-old father of two. As attentive as, Jeff Berliner, my second rehab doctor, who answers my phone calls in the middle of the night even though he lives in a different state. As patient as Nancy Pumphrey, my first OT, who taught me how to live well even in a chair. As trusting as John Engvall, the lawyer who gave me a job before I ever proved I could do the work and then spent the time giving me the training to help people.
GIVING BACK
I have a lot to give back. The only way I can do that is to help other people like I was helped. So I picked one thing to specialize in. I’m passionate about it. I care about it and I’m proud to tell the world this is what I do and why I do it.
I’ve picked one thing. Or maybe, it picked me. Either way, I’m up to the task.
What’s your one thing?