$300 Per Hour - What's Your Price?

No one tells you when you become a lawyer that you will begin looking at your life in increments of six minutes, or how much an hour of your time is worth. That's what attorneys do, they bill you in increments of six minutes. I noticed the first time after I started practicing law, when I sat down to plan my wedding and I noted the start time as if it was a billable task. I notice it now, 15 years later, when something needs to get done such as grocery shopping, and I think, is that really worth $300 of my time, or should I pay someone else to do it.

Some might say that is a practical way of looking at life. But realizing that I do this has also given me perspective that I feel like I can share:

Not everything can be valued based on money and life can't be lived in increments of six minutes.

I know that seems like an easy concept, but in today's world we get so caught up in how much money we should be making, what all we can spend it on, that we may rush through the moments that we can never get back with our eye on "the prize" that turns out was never the prize.

So here is a little free nonlegal advice for you.

Stop looking at the clock. Stop watching it when you are in yoga, when you are at the movies, when you are in carline, and when you are out with friends. Less watching, more living.

Stop disregarding the invaluable moments. They may not earn you money, but their value added is intrinsic and unmeasurable.

Call your mom and listen to her, absorb everything she tells you because one day, you won't be able to reach her.

Listen to your children read, because one day, they will want to read as quickly and silently as you, and you will miss their sweet voices.

Don't spend your weekends checking "to do" lists. Leave time open for unplanned adventures. (P.S. this is my hardest, I love a good long list, and feel so accomplished and yet frustrated when I get things done over the weekend with no time to spare).

Stand in the sunshine. Literally just do it. Some days I get up from my desk and walk outside just to stand there in the sunlight. As the old Irish proverb says, "Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will always fall behind you".

You don't have to listen to me, I don't some days, as I bill clients every six minutes, while taking breaks to read "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", convincing myself I can fit yet one more thing in my schedule. But you should try it. I promise, I'm not crazy (well not about this), and I didn't even charge you $300 an hour.