Am I ready to leave law? How do I know?

I asked myself these questions, and I’m sure you do as well.

Am I ready to leave law? How do I know?

In TFLP 052, I reflected on the one-year anniversary of The Former Lawyer Podcast.

I still have to pinch myself that I get to do this every week.

This podcast began as a conversation with my husband in 2011.

Yes, all the way back in 2011 when I was still working in Biglaw and super miserable.

It has been such a joy and privilege to share this podcast.

In TFLP 052, I shared some of what I learned in my first year of podcasting, and why it pertains to the question: am I ready to leave law, and how do I know?

One of the most helpful lessons of my first year of podcasting was realizing this:

I didn’t feel ready, and I still don’t!

When I started the podcast, I knew virtually nothing about podcasting or online business.

I know a lot more now, but I’m not sure that even now I would say that I “feel ready” (whatever that means!).

When we say we want to “feel ready,” usually we mean that we want to be assured of the outcome of our choices.

But life doesn’t work that way, and you’ll hold yourself back if you keep waiting until you feel ready.

What does it mean to feel “ready” when it comes to making a big life change, whether it’s leaving a job, starting a business, moving to another place, leaving the law, etc. etc. etc.?

Don’t wait until you feel ready to leave law.

When people ask me for advice about what to do if they want to leave the law, my number one piece of advice (after I ask them if they have a therapist ?) is this:

Don’t wait until you feel ready.

Chances are, you never will.

If that freaks you out, read on. It’s actually not such a bad thing!

You don’t have to know everything to start.

I think a lot of us, when we see other people making these choices, think that somehow those people have figured out the secret to having way more confidence than we feel.

The truth is, the idea of feeling “ready” is mostly a myth that will keep you stuck.

✨ You don’t have to feel “ready” to start.

✨ You don’t have to know everything to start.

✨ You just have to know what you want, and step out in faith.

You probably will never feel ready to leave law.

If you’re waiting until you “feel ready” to start, you probably never will.

I definitely didn’t “feel ready” when I started the podcast, and even after 52 episodes, I’m not sure that I really “feel ready” even now!

Don’t wait until you feel ready if you know you need to make a move.

Ready to explore what could be next for you? Click here to download my free guide, First Steps To Leaving The Law.