Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you a lawyer who is struggling with keeping your head above water? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson interview Maria Parker, a training and development consultant specializing in trauma-informed practice. Maria shares her journey from mental health nursing to psychotherapy, her work with legal professionals, and her approach to addressing mental health issues. There is no doubt that legal professionals deal with stress, trauma and burnout. It is a part of the job that some handle well and others don’t at all. Lawyers work with people who are going through tough times and deal with situations that are not light in nature, Maria talks about the psychotherapy approach she brings to addressing this aspect of the job. Many lawyers deal with trauma and the profession is the perfect way to get away from it. Working a job that is always busy and on the go allows for your brain cognitively to leave your body or leave that trauma and focus on other people’s needs. Lawyers are always thinking about the client, the case, prepping for the trial and the list goes on. It is the perfect way to not think about anything that is upsetting you personally.Maria talks about the importance of having a safe space for people to talk about their trauma and stressors. A lot of people will not tell anyone about their troubles because they may feel that person will judge them or misunderstand them. Once there is a safe space, whether that be in a friend’s home or therapist’s office, people feel validated in their thoughts and experiences. From this point, things can really change for someone who is going through a hard time. There is an issue with just diagnosing someone and prescribing medication so they can deal with the pain and go on with life. Maria believes it is crucial to get the diagnosis and acknowledge it, but then parking it and getting to what is underneath. This means getting to the root of the trauma and working backwards to know what has led someone to where they are now.Tyson, Jim and Maria talk about how common anxiety is among lawyers. Because of the stressful nature of the legal field, many lawyers struggle with anxiety and all that comes with it. There is a struggle to say yes to everything because of the competition that exists within firms. Many lawyers don't get much rest because they are up at all hours working on cases or researching for their trials. There is also an emotionless nature that comes with law where lawyers have to be serious and stone cold to remain professional, which really adds to someone feeling anxious. Listen in to learn more from Maria Parker!1:57 Maria shares the gap she saw in addressing stress and trauma in the legal profession11:11 The significance of creating a safe space for individuals in therapy20:43 The increasing prevalence of anxiety among lawyers23:15 How anxiety serves as a protective mechanismJim's Hack: Check out the book “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon”, by Michael Lewis. Which talks about Sam Bankman-Fried and the rise and fall of crypto. The book provides some good lessons on paying attention to the rules and about the importance of following procedures. Maria Tip: Check out the book “No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model” by Dr. Richard Schwartz which is all about family systems.Tyson's Tip: Check out the new feature in Canva called Magic Studio, in which you tell it what you want and it will create it for you using AI. https://www.canva.com/Connect with Maria:Linkedin 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you looking for ways to begin the New Year the right way? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer podcast, Tyson shares three tips for lawyers to start 2024 on a positive note. It is common for people to have New Year’s resolutions. Whether it be creating a good workout routine, eating healthier or saving more money, it is a great way to hold yourself accountable and begin working on a goal. Tyson shares a few things lawyers can do to elevate their practice. The first thing is to develop a new routine that is unique. This could be spending 5 minutes every morning meditating, ending the night with writing in a gratitude journal or taking nature walks during your lunch break. It is all about creating a healthy habit.The second tip is to learn a new skill that is unrelated to law, which helps decompress and move yourself away from thinking about work all the time. Whether it be pottery, painting or coding, these new skills can help with stimulating your brain and sparking creativity in a different way. The third tip is to plan a day for a random act of kindness. This is a great way to give back to someone and pay it forward. Random acts of kindness are really about spreading positivity to others and it can have an impact in a way you will never imagine.Take a listen!1:08 Start a unique routine before the new year2:05 Pick up something completely unrelated to your law practice3:51 Dedicate a day to performing random acts of kindnessTune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.  Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Are you a business owner who struggles with perfection? In this episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer, discusses the challenges of the all-or-nothing mentality in entrepreneurship. The all-or-nothing mentality can be a double edged sword for a lot of people. On one hand, it can lead to bold moves but on the other, it can lead to inaction. Becca uses this to talk about effective business planning. If you wait for everything to be perfect when doing a project or planning for next year’s budget, there can be missed opportunities. It is important to have a clear plan but be open to changes as a business evolves and grows.Engaging in an all-or-nothing mindset can lead to missing out on some things. One thing is missed opportunities. For example, if you were to only focus on the highest priced hiring coach for your business, you could overlook other individuals who bring something to the table that you didn't think you would need. The highest price tag doesn't always mean quality. Another thing is paralysis by analysis. If you are focused on making the perfect choice, you could become indecisive and inactive because you are waiting for the right thing to come along. Inflexibility is another issue as sticking to one thing or staying on one path can lead to a business becoming stagnant and unfit for growth.If you choose to avoid an all-or-nothing mindset, there are some things that can go well. First is reduced stress as a business owner. With a flexible way of doing business, you can avoid the need for perfection and do things that work for you. Another thing is the ability to innovate. Being open to new ideas and creativity will lead to a business that is always evolving and trying new things. With this, people will see a business that is changing as their consumers do.Learn about how to avoid the all-or-nothing approach with Becca!1:20 Exploring the mindset of hiring coaches2:38 The drawbacks of fixating on making the perfect choice and becoming indecisive3:57 The benefits of avoiding an all-or-nothing mindset Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Dave Dee, a professional magician turned marketing and sales expert, shares insights on how lawyers can improve their sales and marketing strategies. He emphasizes the importance of standing out in a crowded market by focusing on personal branding. Dave also discusses common mistakes lawyers make in marketing, such as using generic strategies and not attracting the right prospects.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREIn this podcast episode, Tyson Mutrux discusses the book "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen. He shares the book's key concepts of capturing, clarifying, organizing, reflecting, and engaging with tasks. Tyson shares the importance of moving tasks into an external system and breaking them down into actionable items.  Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a way to enhance your hiring process? In this episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer discusses the transformative potential of video introductions in the hiring process. AI tools like ChatGPT are being used to craft resumes and cover letters. This means hiring managers are not able to really know if a candidate’s credentials and experience is true or accurate. Becca talks about how integrating video introductions into the recruitment process is a game changer to really get to know the candidate. You are able to hear and see them right off the bat and get to know their personality and style. Normal resumes and cover letters can be generic and it can be difficult to find the perfect candidate for a role. Video introductions act as a preliminary face to face conversation with the candidate. This can quickly cut say 30 resumes down to a select few.Becca walks through a few things to consider when deciding to use video introductions in the recruitment process. One thing is to establish clear guidelines and instructions for candidates to follow so they create a video that will get them noticed. It is a good idea to not tell them how to record the video or what tool to use. This can be a great way to see how resourceful the candidate is. Another thing is to set a time limit of how long the video needs to be. This will show if candidates understand how to be concise and focused. Since it is an introduction, keep videos short and to no longer than 1 minute. Listen in to understand how to streamline your selection process!00:23 Video introductions provide a more personal way to evaluate candidates1:18 Text-based resumes may not effectively differentiate candidates2:30 To incorporate video introductions, set clear guidelines for candidatesTune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you someone who has had to step back into a previous role? In this episode, Jim and Tyson discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise when law firm owners have to step back into roles they had previously delegated. If you are a law firm owner or work in a management role within the legal field, there may come a time where you will have to step into a role that was once filled by someone you delegated. This means there are a lot of learning curves and adjustments needed in order to do things right. Sometimes, being pulled back into a role is unexpected and will shift priorities because a whole team of people need you to step in and take control.Tyson shares an example of stepping into a role when another attorney resigned. He learned about issues that existed in some cases that he never would have known if he didnt step into the role. This led to some new processes and protocols being put in place to deal with the issues. Jim says as law firm owners, they need to have a more active role in their team’s day to day operations.Jim shares the frustration of getting pulled back into a leadership role and not feeling okay with giving the reins to the new person. It can be hard to turn things over to a new leader after doing the work for a few months and ironing out all the kinks. Jim shares his experience with finally cleaning up the intake system for his firm and feeling himself holding back in giving the responsibility to the new manager. Sometimes there is this feeling of wanting to perfect something before you give it away. This can cause you to not get back into your former routine and focus on your main tasks. It is important to trust yourself and the person who has come into the role to take over and lead.Jim and Tyson talk about decision making and the need to make them quickly, especially if you want things to get done and cases to close at times that are appropriate. Whether the decision is right or wrong, it is important to make the decision so you are not lagging and wasting time. For example, if you need to replace a team member or hire because there is a need, do it now so that worry is dealt with.Take a listen to learn more!Jim’s Hack: If you don't have an assistant, you are the assistant. If you are doing all the  lower level work and you are busy, you need to pass it down to other people. It is important to hire virtual assistants or other administrative staff to optimize yourself.Tyson’s Tip: Treat every hour working out or sleeping as being worth $10,000. That way, you are more likely to focus and prioritize doing it.3:11 Tyson and Jim share their personal experience of being pulled back into a leadership role11:00 The frustration and guilt experienced when being dragged back into tasks17:26 Highlighting the need to make decisions quickly

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you an attorney who is looking to improve efficiency with your firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson discusses the "90/10 Principle" for improving law firm efficiency and profitability.Tyson discusses the importance of the 90/10 principle. The principle involves clearing the 10% of cases that are either not profitable for the firm or attorneys don't want to focus on them to create a more lean practice. In order to identify these cases, you need to go through the caseload and pinpoint the bottom 10% by determining the case value. Looking at the financial side of things is a great way to determine this because you can determine how much money it costs to keep the case on the books. Figure out how much resources are going towards a case. If it is high, it might be time to cut ties with it. Also consider how much energy is being put towards a case. If the case is sucking a lot of energy and time from the firm, it can be put in that 10%. Once you determine the bottom 10%, look to identify the top 10% of cases for the firm. This is because once you shed the cases you don't want, all that energy will be put towards the top 10%. This could mean delegating your best attorneys to those 10% since they are high priority.Ensure this is a recurring process. For example, put time in your calendar once a quarter or once a year to re-evaluate the cases that the firm is handling. This could be changing the bottom 10% and top 10% every 4 or 12 months.Take a listen to find out how to ensure greater efficiency for your firm!00:24 Introducing the 90/10 principle, a variation of the Pareto principle2:25 The process of identifying the bottom 10% of cases3:20 Redirecting the effort from the bottom 10% of cases to the top 10%Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.  Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Do you need some tips in completing projects effectively? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Becca, the CEO of Maximum Lawyer shares essential strategies for executing projects effectively.No matter the project, it is important to have a clear vision, roadmap and approach to reach the outcome you want. Becca emphasizes the need to start a project with the end in mind. It really helps envision the success of the project. It is important to create an outline to ensure you stay on track. Outline the goal and write out a list of broad steps from the start of the project to the end. After this, it is important to define the due date. It needs to be one that is realistic and attainable. If you do not set a due date, the project will simply not get done because other things will take priority or take you away from working on it. When working on a project, it is crucial to ensure you put time in your calendar to get it done. Whether it's 30 minutes a day or a few hours a week, put that block in the calendar so you are accountable to work on it.Many projects are complex, with multiple people working on them and dozens of tasks to complete. Some tasks themselves are too big to just do and they need to be broken down into subtasks. This will take the overwhelming feeling away from yourself or your team when it comes to getting things done. Make sure to have a good project management system or tool to track all progress. Listen in to learn about the best way to get a project done!00:23 Importance of having a clear vision of the desired outcome before starting any project1:16 The significance of defining goals and due dates2:20 The strategy of breaking down broader project steps into smaller subtasksTune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.  Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you an attorney who needs help with delivering presentations? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson host Val Madama, a legal presentation coach. Val shares her journey from practicing food and drug law to coaching lawyers on improving their presentation skills.Mastering presentations is a skill that takes practice. Val goes over a few common mistakes lawyers make when giving presentations. One mistake is assuming everyone needs the same things from the presentation when really everyone needs something different and will walk away with something different. This means the way you communicate to an audience should reflect this idea. Tailoring a presentation to each audience is key to keeping them engaged. If the presentation is about writing legal briefs, tailor your content to that. Another mistake is not presenting using plain language. Legal jargon only makes sense to lawyers. If you are giving a presentation to an audience who is not, ensure your slides and your language is clear and makes sense. Think about starting presentations off with a thesis or why you are there and what you are trying to “prove”.Val, Jim and Tyson talk about the importance of storytelling when presenting. A lot of people are more focused on making their slides look better or using eye-catching software to create their presentation. Others are more concerned with not stumbling and making sure their entire presentation is perfect. The reality is there will be stumbling or saying “um” or “like” and that is fine. As long as the presentation flows like you are telling a story, the presentation is a success.Ensuring there is enough time to practice for a presentation is really important to delivering it well. Val talks about developing muscle memory when practicing. The more you practice, the easier it is to remember and create that flow. One trick is to treat the presentation as if it were a conversation with colleagues or a normal Monday morning meeting discussing the week ahead. This also takes the “nervousness” out of presenting because it is being treated like any other conversation. Start rehearsing for presentations when you are 75% done creating it. This will allow you to flesh out any issues and go back and forth in how you will say things. This will shape your speech and also develop muscle memory. Though rehearsing is important, make sure to step away from the presentation to allow for the muscle memory to develop better. This will also not create a robotic speech to your presentation.Take a listen!Jim’s Hack: There is no substitute for meeting people face to face ( like your team!) Val’s Tip: For everyone's next presentation figure out what the action you want people to take, and then identify 1 to 2 benefits of that action, and let that be your whole thesis statement. Tyson Tip: Change the mindset with a quote by Guy Ritchie: Love the game because you're in it. Own the game, accept the rules and move into the rules. 3:00 Common mistakes lawyers make in presentations4:28 The importance of using plain language and avoiding legal jargon10:29 Prioritizing content, storytelling, and tailoring the presentation16:56 Regular practice and muscle memory in improving presentation skills19:39 The importance of taking a break from rehearsing to allow for passion to consolidate🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Val:Website Linkedin