Legal nurse consultants ask me about what I did to create such a successful independent legal nurse consulting practice. I followed some principles that foster success.
#1 – Do Not Allow Others to Dictate the Terms of Your Business to You
In many cases, LNCs simply do not realize how much control they have over their own business.
If you want to be successful, then you need to get in the habit of taking control and not allowing others to dictate the terms of your business to you. I advocate listening to your clients, but not allowing the disgruntled ones to dictate business practices that would subvert a successful independent legal nurse consulting practice.
For example, when I supplied expert witnesses who worked under contract for me, one of my clients wanted to know how much I paid her. When I asked him why, he said, “So I can pay her directly and not have to go through you.” I politely told him what I paid her was not his business.
Attorneys are very persuasive. Stand up for yourself.
#2 – Accept Responsibility for The Outcomes of Your Work (Good or Bad)
One important part of success is responsibility. When you accept responsibility for your actions, and move forward from there you will feel empowered to make changes. I recommend you ask your clients for feedback on how satisfied they are and work towards continuous improvement.
Those LNCs who cannot accept responsibility will never fully understand why their businesses languish.
#3 – Monitor the Path of Your Life
Take some time to evaluate your life. Consider where you have come from and where you are likely to end up. Decide whether you want to deviate from this path to achieve a better outcome. And then implement this plan. I recommend doing this for both your personal life and your business. Now is a good time to take stock.
#4 – Make an Effort to Strengthen Your Resolve
The strength of your resolve will determine whether you break down at the sight of a challenge, or whether you dare the challenge to cross your path. You will encounter many success-driven attorneys who pose challenges. They will strengthen your resolve.
Learn from each challenge. In some cases, what you will learn to why you need to avoid working with certain attorneys. In other cases, you will learn how you need to modify your business. Success is likely to follow.
#5 – Dispose of Bad Habits in Your Personal Relationships
We all have bad habits in our personal relationships. Perhaps we don’t listen very well. Or maybe we are very quick to judge. (Legal nurse consulting trains you to be very judgemental.) Don’t let these bad habits set the tone for every relationship you have. Instead, extinguish these habits and improve your relationships.
#6 – Break Out of Your Comfort Zone and Try New Things
Trying new things keeps you thinking and helps you to problem solve. So, make an effort to step out of your comfort zone, experience the world, and learn more.
I recommend continually learning new tips and techniques. Read business books. Listen to podcasts such as Legal Nurse Podcast . Stretch your mind.
#7 – Try to Do Good Things Each Day
Each day, try to do something good for other people. Leave others better off because of you. Contribute to a charity. Help your spouse with something he or she is dreading.
This should be easy for us as nurses. We have been trained to help others. Whatever you do, make an effort to do something that not only helps someone else, but makes you feel better, too.
#8 – Strive for Transparency in Your Relationships with Clients
Don’t hide information. Don’t tell the attorney only what he or she wants to hear and not advise the attorney of the weak parts of a claim. This is a sure recipe for the attorney developing mistrust. And, most of all, try to be honest and forthcoming in all of your activities.
#9 – Find Ways to Put Yourself at Peace with the World and Your Life
Finally, one of the most important things that successful people do is make sure they are at peace with the world and their own life. Give yourself time off to relax, read a book, watch a movie, or go for a walk.
Forgive yourself for the mistakes you have made. Let go of guilt and recognize that time travels only one way. You cannot do anything about the past except learn from it.
Running a successful independent legal nurse consulting practice is a challenge. I work with LNCs who are committed to building their businesses. Let’s talk to see if this is the right step for you. Set up a call with me.