We recently were reminded of the impact each of your firms have on your clients and community. Last week we attended our annual law firm holiday open house. It is a wonderful reminder of many things. Much of what we have focused on comes to life when we walk into the Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli Law Firm and are greeted by our staff and clients. Although we are not there day to day, the faces of everyone confirmed that our “why” is alive and well. The most memorable are the client comments; the appreciation we heard, the generations of families served, and the specific stories clients told of how our firm had helped them and their families. It’s always a moving and humbling experience to be reminded of the impact we intended and how it lines up with what others feel has been delivered.

As the Academy wraps almost two decades of serving law firms who serve clients just like ours, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what matters most.

First, it’s about relationships. For both of us, it’s with great pride that we look back on the relationships we have established with members, their families and staff over the past two decades. Our association with the extraordinarily talented firms we’ve had the privilege of serving is beyond what we ever thought possible.

Second, helping you help others. The number of clients across 44 states who’ve had the good fortune of working with an Academy member is staggering. Improving your relationships with your clients is the foundation of the services the Academy offers. The responsibility of providing legal education, comprehensive documents, one on one coaching, state of the art technology and a host of other tools so you can have the credibility you deserve in your community is daunting. We thank you for the trust, confidence and opportunity you have given us.

Finally, there’s a financial impact we see for our Members. As we wrap up the year and begin our review of the first 25 or so sets of financials that have already started to come in, it’s clear that the Academy’s tools and strategies has had a positive impact on the financial security of so many members and their staff. We are reminded regularly of the privilege we have to work with some of the brightest, most successful attorneys anywhere.

Our “why” is very simple: to transform the lives and practices of estate planning attorneys across the country, and we thank you for your commitment and passionate execution of systems and strategies that have had such a dramatic impact on your community.

As the new year launches, we hope that you’re reflecting on your “why.” It is the one thing that can always keep you centered. Be clear about what that is and share that message with your staff and your clients. Once stated clearly, the “how” and the “what” look after themselves and your vision shows up in every area of your practice.

Make this the year when everything you do rests upon the clarity of your WHY. Remember, your “why” isn’t a detailed agenda of what you will and won’t do. It is a purpose, a mission. It’s at the root of what lights you up. We encourage you to reflect on the past year. Look at the growth you’ve experienced personally and professionally. Look closely at the areas that may not have measured up to your intentions. Take a moment as the year ends to celebrate your victories and, in areas that may not have hit their potential, look again at your “why.” Often when the why isn’t defined, or it isn’t in alignment with what we’re doing, there is pain or, at the very least, a lack of satisfaction. It’s an easy adjustment to make at this time of the year as we plan out our future.

Our optimism about what lies ahead in 2013 could not be higher and the entire Academy Team looks forward to leading you into the future we are all creating. We firmly believe that our Spring Summit, where we celebrate our 20^th Anniversary together, will be one of the most memorable gatherings in our history. It will be the perfect time to celebrate our relationships, our accomplishments and the achievement of our goals, but more importantly it will be a time to take aim at what’s possible. We’ll also be focusing on the importance of structures for ancillary businesses and continued emphasis on Elder Law tools. As an added bonus, we’ll have a number of sessions taught by the most popular speakers in our event history.

Finally, we want to acknowledge each of you for your commitment to continuous improvement as counselors and leaders in your communities. We are grateful and proud of our affiliation and we wish you a wonderful holiday season with health and prosperity in the New Year!

To your success in 2013,

Robert and Sandy

Robert Armstrong & Sanford M. Fisch
Co-Founders
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com

Every year, the co-founders of the Academy share a year-end message to the Membership. To me, it is always a breath of fresh air and I thought that our many blog subscribers might enjoy it as well.

Happy New Year!
Jennifer Price

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET… STOP!

We’ve all heard the first part of this phrase before. In fact, young children can even finish it when prompted. However, as we end 2011 and get ready for the new year, we invite you to take a moment and STOP! That’s right, STOP. Take some quiet time and reflect on the past 12 months. Sure, we’ve all heard we should review our goals, failures and triumphs, but what does that really mean? Well, we believe there are some critical elements you’ll want to look at as you get ready for 2012.

Last year we mentioned three things we think are crucial to your sustainable success: Influence, Action and Resolve. Now is a perfect time to evaluate and reflect on these values.

How did you influence others and what or who influenced you? Who did you hang out with? Did you replace any of those naysayers and pessimists who have brought you down or tried to kill your dreams? What books, magazines, TV shows, movies and radio stations did you allow into your life? Did they uplift and inspire you or were you surrounded by a bubble of negativity?  As long as we’re looking at influence, what impact did you have on others? Were you an example of the virtues you look for in others? Did you keep your word, arrive at appointments on time and create a transformational experience that changed people’s lives? We encourage Members to think about how you fulfill your leadership role to those around you—family, friends, staff, clients and prospects. This can make a world of difference for everyone in your universe. Remember, peoples’ views and attitudes are contagious, and you’re in the perfect position to profoundly impact many different groups. We encourage you to take on this leadership role and use it wisely.

Next, look at your actions. In the past year, did you take deliberate action to further your goals? In the Academy Peak Performer program, we stress daily action steps in pursuit of your goals, and it is always coupled with accountability. We require Peak Members to report to us and the group daily on their progress. We’ve found that without publicly declaring your goals, finding an accountability partner and actively building structures in your life you have little chance of success.  So we ask you, who is holding you accountable for your actions? In many respects the entrepreneur’s life is a lonely one with no natural checks and balances other than the indifferent marketplace.

We believe the foundation of action is integrity. No, not integrity in a moral sense, but integrity as a precursor to workability. Just like a ship has “water tight integrity” to insure the vessel stays afloat, did you demonstrate integrity by honoring your word, doing what you said you would do? We all have a funny way of distorting reality to get us off the hook. It’s often been said that we judge ourselves on our intentions, but others judge us on our actions. Look back on your actions this past year and identify those areas where you substituted your intentions for solid, real action. In many ways our lives resemble a defendant standing before the judge who pleads “guilty with an explanation.” I intended to do that, but… (fill in the excuse of your choice).

But none of it matters if your resolve is not there. Remember, if it was easy everyone would build a successful business. Expect the challenges because they are surely coming. Remain disciplined as you face the inevitable problems which confront all business owners. Be willing to go that extra lonely mile that most never walk. It can incorporate everything from taking the time to strategically plan your year to the extra effort involved in improving your skills as a counselor, manager and leader.

However, as we stressed this year everything becomes easier and is enhanced when you know your WHY. Why do you do what you do? When you strip away the money and the status, what really lights you up every day? When you identify it, we’re sure it will energize you, sustain you and provide the impetus to seize the opportunities in your marketplace. With a clear vision of your firm, you can move confidently into 2012 and you will not be alone. You will be surrounded by the care and support of the Academy and your colleagues around the country. It reminds us of the wonderful quote by Basil King, “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”

We continue to marvel at the collective success of Academy Members and remain humbled by our affiliation with such an amazing group! On behalf of the entire Academy team, we wish you a great holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET… GO!

To your success,

Robert and Sandy

Robert Armstrong and Sanford M. Fisch
Co-Founders of The American Academy & Co-Authors of The E-Myth Attorney
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com