I attended the Lessons From a Quitter podcast live event in Southern California.

Podcast and event host, Goli Kalkhoran, welcoming the crowd.

It was meaningful and fun. People shared their stories and I led an exercise to help build your capacity to say “YES!” to desires, and “NO” to what doesn’t serve you. (Read to the end if you want me to walk you through this exercise too.)

Often lawyers say a barrier to quitting is the fear that internal and external critics will think they “can’t hack it.“

That quitting equals failure.

But what if we reclaimed and re-framed the word “quit”?

Inspired by the event, I asked some of my clients what quitting from big Law has opened up for them. In their own words…

“From a soon-to-be-quitter, what quitting opens up for me is freedom. Freedom to say no to a life and a definition of success that others think I should want and the freedom to say yes to a life and definition of success that is aligned with who I am and what I value.

Quitting is opening up my eyes and my mind to the truth that we all have our own path. We can say no to blindly ascribing to cultural (or other) norms that would dictate for us what our path ought to be.

Quitting opens up the opportunity for me to tell and live my story more authentically.”

– D., getting ready to leave a NYC big law firm after more than 11 years years

Or from Susannah, senior associate, NYC…

“Changing careers has made me feel life is full of possibility again. The unknown universe of options makes life feel exciting again. 

Instead of feeling like I had to slog it out forever in a firm and deal with the challenges of conforming to the demands of the job, I get to explore the world of options and look at what’s out there.

“It’s daunting but exciting! I already feel like I’m growing so much through the process, whereas at work, I’ve felt mostly stagnated on a personal level for quite some time.”

Here’s what quitting opened up for Angela, who left her San Francisco big law job at the beginning of 2019, launched her own firm, and has a side-hustle renting out an Airstream trailer…

“Quitting opens up everything!

I approach my work with more pride, which makes me feel like I’m a better lawyer, person, and example for my kids.

It opens up authentic conversations with people in my network (some of whom I haven’t reached out to in years). Most people genuinely want to help, in big ways like handing me the keys to their law practice so they can retire, or in little ways like genuinely saying that they will keep me in mind for referrals. I’m learning to trust that when I show up in service of my vision, others will too.

It opens my income potential.

It means manifesting the dreams and longings I’ve had for many years.

Quitting means I am in charge of my own destiny, and take 100% accountability for my happiness and choices. I become earnest about my healing and personal growth.”

Courtney – who left big law after eight years for real estate development – now gets to be in meetings with other humans most of the day, a dream come true for her!

“I have learned that I don’t care what other people think as much as I thought I did and that my identity is not inextricably linked to being a lawyer.

Quitting opens up a sense that I can live more authentically and be true to who I am. It opens up free time to reconnect with my passions and hobbies and to explore new areas of interest.”

Shinah Chang, former lawyer turned “sassy calligrapher” at event.

Quitting from big Law has given them, and can give you:

• Excitement
• Personal growth
• Your own definition of success
• Alignment with your values
• A universe of options

Sounds pretty good, right?

If you want help to RECEIVE all the benefits of quitting from big Law…

To get started with your first step, a conversation.

Schedule your call here.

Want more information?  Click below to schedule your call.