Reality or Impossible Dream? Effective Strategies for Achieving Success..........Rita aju

RITA AJU

“…the more I look at my life as the fabric of my own choices, the easier it is to use all my energy to accomplish what I set out to do.”

How can you get into a sustainable mode of direct action without feeling like you have to torture yourself to get moving? What can you do to cross the barrier between merely thinking about what you want and actually making it happen? 

Do you believe that “having it all” is impossible? The desire to “have a life” outside MEDIA is driving increasing numbers of JOURNALIST to reconsider their careers. They are realizing that the more they trade off other meaningful aspects of life - relationships, significant interests, health - the emptier they feel so does other works of life.

You, too, may be realizing that even a big bank account doesn’t fill the void that results from ignoring other aspects of your life. And if you’re still trying to make your practice more lucrative, you probably wish you could do so without forfeiting your personal life.

1. Be Your Own Advocate
Advocate for yourself just like you will do for your clients.  
Do research, cite precedent, develop persuasive arguments, believe in your own rights and interests and prepare your best case, its not easy but we should try.

2. Be Bold in Taking on New Projects
I have noticed how some men i work with  eagerly accept assignments outside of their primary area of expertise. They simply assume they’ll fill in any information gaps as needed. 
 In the same vein the women is accept responsibilities without shivering or thinking of gender, The women “experts” of work/life balance follow the model of their male counterparts in this regard. So they are to accept opportunities and meet ethical responsibilities through research and consultation.

3. Say What You Can Do, Not What You Can’t
I know a Boss who says never say ' I AM SORRY ' but i will say to me , this is not correct.

When the “experts” of work/life balance know that they will not be able to meet a deadline at work because of a family commitment, they don’t say, “I’m sorry, I have to take my child to the doctor.” Instead, they reply, “I’d be happy to. I can get it to you by Monday. How will that be?” No apologies, no explanations - just a statement of what they can do.

4. Recognize the Inherent Gender Discrimination in Flexibility at the Expense of Career Advancement
According to Professor Joan Williams argues compellingly in her book, “Unbending Gender, ” (4) the “ideal worker norm” - i.e., i feel  someone who takes no time off for childbearing and childrearing, who works full time and puts in substantial overtime - is incompatible with women’s bodies and the fact that women still bear primary responsibility for childcare.

The women who “have it all” are unwilling to accept this norm and are willing to acknowledge that is discriminatory to be marginalized in a “mommy track.” They recognize that work/life balance is a political as well as a personal issue. These “experts” are involved with their local and national women’s bar associations. This enables them to recognize they are not alone, reduces their inclination to apologize for their determination to find professional success and a balanced life, and empowers them to work for institutional change.

5. Use Technology to Increase Your Availability
Many successful men have found that by using email, faxes and electronic research they are able to work from home. This allows them to be more available both at work and at home.
With this you will realize that you don't work more in the office.. But if you effectively set boundaries between work and home, this can prove an extremely useful strategy for you.

6. Know Your Own Worth
 I know one Adeola Babatunde Motivational speaker  who says if you dont blow your trumpet no one will do that for you. hmmmmm 
so in that case , You can’t persuade the powers that is to make efforts to retain you unless you believe you’re worth retaining. Take for example in the law firm .  Partners are notoriously stingy about providing positive feedback. Show work samples (deleting confidential information) to senior attorneys outside your firm. Let them affirm the excellence of your work and advise you on how to improve it. Talk to recruiters. Find out how marketable you are outside your firm. When you know there are other firms that would be eager to hire you, you can advocate for yourself with greater confidence that way you are near success.