Killing The Perfectionist Attorney: Fretzin’s 5 Hacks For Effective Decision-Making

Laura is a sophisticated and well-regarded lawyer practicing in Chicago’s North Shore. With over a decade of experience in employment law, she primarily advises small business owners. When we met to discuss her practice, I quickly uncovered that she was suffering from a serious affliction: “Analysis Paralysis.” She also exhibited symptoms of “Perfectionism” and “Risk Aversion.”

While I’m obviously joking about the medical diagnosis, the issue is no joke at all. Lawyers worldwide struggle daily with countless decisions that drain their valuable time and emotional energy. As it turns out, making rational, intelligent, and timely decisions isn’t necessarily a lawyer’s strong suit.

So, let’s explore what life might look like if you had a simple and effective process to make decisions quickly and with confidence. Here are five steps I’ve developed that will help you move the needle when it seems stuck.

Step 1: Evaluate The Gaps Between Where You Are And Where You Want To Be

While I know it’s hard to read the label from inside the bottle, being self-reflective is crucial. Take the time to analyze what’s holding you back from growth and efficiency. Track your day in 15-minute increments to pinpoint where your time is being wasted or where you’re bogged down by low-level tasks. For example:

• What tasks should I be delegating, and to whom?
• What legal tech could improve my practice management?
• Who should I hire to free myself from administrative work?
• What marketing efforts should I prioritize?

You’ll be surprised at how much time you’re losing just by doing this one exercise. Identifying gaps is the key to advancing through the next steps.

Step 2: Do Your Research And Leverage Trusted Sources

Sure, Googling might be one way to go, but I highly recommend tapping into your network to cut through the noise of random vendors. And be cautious of unsolicited offers via email or phone (stranger danger).

For instance, I often turn to my local Deerfield Dads Facebook group when looking for proven service providers to fix things around my house. Similarly, in professional settings, I ask my network, “Who knows a great outsourced VA company?” or “Who can recommend a phenomenal employment defense attorney in Iowa?” Finding trusted solutions through referrals speeds up decision-making and reduces risk. This approach also applies to hiring — you’re far more likely to find a reliable associate through a referral than by sifting through random online applications.

Step 3: Prepare Key Questions To Weigh Pros And Cons

I know this seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how few people properly prepare for meetings. Whether you’re interviewing for a job, hiring an employee, or evaluating new legal technology, having your questions ready in advance ensures you gather the right information. Some examples include:

• For a job interview: “Can you walk me through the compensation structure and path to equity?”
• Hiring a paralegal: “Tell me about the best work environment you’ve experienced.”
• Evaluating legal tech: “What does onboarding and training look like for my team?”
• Hiring a coach: “What’s your methodology, and how does it drive results?”

The goal here is to gather enough information to make a confident decision or walk away. The more prepared you are, the easier it becomes to say “yes” or “no” without hesitation.

Step 4: Trust Your Gut — It’s Usually Right

Let’s recap: You’ve been referred to a potential hire, vendor, or solution by a trusted source. You’ve asked insightful questions to evaluate its value. Now, what does your gut tell you?

Our brains and instincts work together to protect us from bad decisions, saving us time, money, and frustration. If something feels like the right move for your business, take action. If not, use what you’ve learned to compare it against other options. Avoid indecision — eliminate the “maybes” and “I’ll think about its.” Stick to just two words: yes or no.

And now, one final step to seal the deal.

Step 5: Validate Before Finalizing Your Decision

This is the step most people skip, but it’s critical. Before moving forward, take the extra step to validate your decision by asking for references. A simple question like, “Do you have a client in a similar practice area I could speak with?” can make all the difference.

Yes, this takes extra effort, but it’s worth it. I recently did this when searching for a YouTube expert to optimize my channel. I spoke with my friend Gregg, who shared the impressive results he achieved. Seeing those numbers made my decision easy.

The Power Of This 5-Step Process

Let’s break it down:

1. Find a trusted recommendation.
2. Ask the right questions to evaluate its value.
3. Use your gut to determine if it’s a good fit.
4. Validate your decision through references.

The more pending decisions you have weighing on you, the more stress and anxiety you’ll experience. Worse, you won’t be making progress in growing your practice. By implementing a structured approach, you’ll make decisions faster, with more confidence, and free up energy to focus on what truly matters in your business and life.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to kill the perfectionist attorney within and start making quick decisions with ease. 

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Steve Fretzin is a bestselling author, host of the BE THAT LAWYER Podcast, and business development coach exclusively for attorneys. Steve has committed his career to helping lawyers learn key growth skills not currently taught in law school. His clients soon become top rainmakers and credit Steve’s program and coaching for their success. He can be reached directly by email at [email protected]. Or you can easily find him on his website at www.fretzin.com or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/.