An Olympic lession about passion

Were you inspired by watching the Olympics over the past two weeks? I’ll admit to being a bit of an Olympics junkie. I love watching the events, but I also like to watch the profiles of the individual athletes to learn about their stories, their struggles and their commitment to their sport. Some of those athletes make mega-bucks as a result of their success, while others (who may be no less successful in their chosen sport) compete solely for the love of the sport, often in spite of financial difficulties.

But there is a common thread among all of the athletes that compete in the Olympic games, and that’s passion. They are passionate about what they do, and it shows. It shows in their commitment and their perserverence. It shows in their emotional response whether they win or lose. That passion is what propels them forward. It’s what keeps them  coming back to the track or the pool or the gym every day. Without it, they couldn’t do what they do.

The most successful lawyers have that passion and it gives them an edge. Do you have that same passion for what you do?

• Why did you decide to practice law? (What’s your story?) What struggles have helped you commit to your practice?
• What do you enjoy most about your current practice and clients?
• What are your biggest strengths at work?
• Describe a situation in which you feel that you’re in ‘the zone’ at work: What does it feel like? What happens to time? What are you doing? Who are you doing it with? What contributes to the feeling that you are ‘in the zone?’