#WhyIAmASolo - I Can Greatly Reduce The Number Of People From Whom I Need Approval.

The larger the organization, the more layers of bureaucracy there are. The lower we are in an organizational hierarchy, the more people whose approval is required for our continued employment. Throughout my career, I have sought to reduce that need, because I struggle with the need to seek the approval of others. The Stoics are right when they say that such approval seeking behavior is contrary to our recognition of the fact that events do not control us, and that we only have the power to control our reactions. Emotions such as anger and grief, while natural, serve no purpose other than to restrict our ability to live a happy, useful life. While a solo lawyer must have some approval from Judges, clients, and others, it can be a strait jacketed existence to succeed while constrained by organizational forces beyond our control. The feeling of freedom we receive when we cast off the shackles of approval seeking behavior is better than money. For whom are you living your life?