Winsor Law Group Blog

By Mark A. Winsor, Esq.

While this article was originally written mainly for attorneys, I decided to provide it to others I regularly train, mentor and serve. Financial advisors, real estate agents, entrepreneurs and even my clients. This message of developing an attitude of hope and cheerfulness can influence all aspects of life no matter who you are.  

One of the great challenges for some attorneys is staying cheerful, positive and optimistic while working each day through the multitude of problems pressing their clients.  Certainly, many face the challenge of overcoming discouragement and, for some, depression.  The media seems intent on focusing on the gloom and doom of the day.  I wonder, at times, if the gloom and doom attitudes actually lead to more gloom and doom. 

I have been blessed with inward sense of optimism (developed over the years with great effort) but still there are times I have to remind myself of certain “laws of happiness” and then talk myself into a cheerful attitude.  Over the years I have studied a generous share of literature encouraging techniques in developing a “positive mental attitude.”  For me, it has been helpful.  In my opinion, if more people had positive attitudes and expressed optimism much of the gloom and doom would change to possibilities and opportunity.

Let’s face it, as attorneys we sometimes add to the gloom and doom problem.  We are, in a way, painted into a corner of “gloom and doom forecasting” with the client’s paintbrush of high and sometimes unrealistic expectations.  Clients, many times, expect the attorney to achieve unreasonable or uncertain results.  The paint may be black or white for the client; attorneys understand all too well the color gray.  Litigation, whether we practice it or study it in our transactional practice, soaks our attitudes with the reality of uncertain outcomes.  We are compelled, for the good of the client and to protect ourselves, to paint a picture in our client’s mind of the possible problems that could dash their hope for an ideal case.  We can be masters at gloom and doom. So, I ask you, is it possible to create an impression of optimism across a canvas of realistic expectations?  I think so. 

We still must inform the client of red flags that could be raised in their case.  But that doesn’t mean that the client must leave feeling like lawyers are cold and insensitive by waiving the red flags without the warm hope of a brighter day at the end of case.  I have found that issues in a demanding case can be presented to the client as challenges without adding to their burden of frustration and discouragement.  In reality, the challenges that may arise in any given case are generally substantially smaller than the overwhelming situations the client faced before walking into my office.

I have found a few things that help build hope and optimism in my clients while they face their challenges.  First of all, I strive to be warm, friendly and compassionate.  Now, you may think this is a no-brainer.  But I hear a lot of stories! Therefore, I don’t believe all attorneys understand how to be warm, friendly and compassionate.  It starts with an awareness of our own attitude and a consistent effort to freshen it up.  Next, I ensure that my clients understand how to rebuild their lives after dealing with their situations.  I do my best help them solve their challenges, and I also spend some time helping my client see beyond the challenge. I try to light some hope in their minds that they will overcome their challenges and emerge stronger and better. 

I encourage my clients to be positive and optimistic about their future.  Their time with me may be short and my influence limited, but a small flame can at times ignite a raging fire.  I am just optimistic enough to believe that if I approach each client with the intent to build their self-confidence and hope in the future then some will indeed be ignited with my spark of optimism.

Remember the wonderful influence Pollyanna had in the community of Beldingsville, Vermont with the “glad game” and her cheerful outlook on every challenge and disappointment.  Remember, too, that her gifts of cheer she spread generously to others were returned abundantly when a tremendous challenge brought disappointment and discouragement to her. 

Just as I wonder whether the gloom and doom attitudes of so many is bringing our society deeper into crisis, I wonder whether our recovery would be faster and stronger if more people felt and spread the cheerful, optimistic attitude Eleanor H. Porter portrayed in the character Pollyanna.  I just wonder.

*The information provided in this article is of a general nature and reflects only the opinion of the author at the time it was drafted. It is not intended as definitive legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and you should not act upon it without seeking independent legal counsel.