044: Focusing Your Mind: Why Intentional Endings Allow Purposeful Beginnings with Rory Clark: Part 1
Imagine if letting go of false hopes could unfreeze your life and bring about incredible transformation.
That’s exactly what Rory Clark did. Through courageously ending parts of his life that were no longer serving him, Rory intentionally laid the foundation for purposeful new beginnings. He burnt it all down to build something remarkable from the ashes. His bold choices have reshaped his law practice and his personal life in ways that bring him great joy.
Rory’s journey from being a large firm refugee to a successful elder law attorney is a testament to the power of saying no. He could reconstruct his practice with a multi-disciplinary approach by carefully selecting what he turned down. His personal experiences, such as the birth of his son with autism and other family struggles, greatly influenced his professional path. This transition away from traditional law and towards a comprehensive care network enabled him to bring immense value to families navigating life’s continuum.
In Steve’s discussion with Rory, you’ll gather wisdom on knowing when and how to say no, both in personal and professional relationships. But it’s not just about ending things. It’s about the purposeful beginnings that arise from those endings. We’ll also explore the value of setting boundaries and expectations, managing capacity, and mentoring in business.
Rory’s story is a vivid example of how strategically saying no can help us build a richer, more meaningful life.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Rory Clark’s quest of intentionally ending things to create new beginnings in both his personal and professional life
- The importance of being selective and strategic in choosing what to focus on and the need for necessary endings to create space for growth
- His personal experiences, including the birth of his son with autism and family struggles, that led him to transition from traditional law to a multi-disciplinary approach, including a care network
- The challenges and wisdom of maintaining healthy relationships both personally and professionally, including the importance of setting clear boundaries and expectations
- How saying no to certain things and understanding the value of necessary endings can help create a stronger focus on the goals and values of Rory’s firm
- Building a culture of delegation and leadership in his firm, leading to a profitable marketing strategy, by taking time off and challenging his team
- How strategically saying “no” can help construct a more fulfilling life and a thriving professional or personal environment
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Supporting Resources:
Gorham “Rory” Clark: Adjunct Practice Advisor & Attorney
Just Because Every Other Lawyer is Doing It Doesn’t Mean You Should with Robert Rose
Steve Riley
Certified Practice Advisor & Attorney
Steve Riley has coached attorneys for more than 20 years. His one-on-one coaching focuses on a limited number of top producing attorneys committed to taking their practices to new levels of excellence, profit, and personal success. He also presents at group coaching workshops around the country for individual law firms, state bar associations, and other legal organizations.