We declare our life-changing goals and decide what habits we’re determined to change in 2018. But as the days in the calendar tick over, many of those goals are quickly forgotten. Before we know it we find ourselves back in the same headspace and resolving to make the same changes as another year begins. Rest assured, you’re not alone. Around 92% of people fail to keep their new year’s resolutions.

I’ll admit that I’ve been guilty of setting goals and forgetting about them in the past. But 2017 was very different.

Over 365 days, I set and met some major life goals. I packed up my apartment in Sydney, moved to New York, my favourite city in the world, and landed an amazing job with a dream company. I also travelled more extensively than expected, visiting the UK, Canada and the Dominican Republic not to mention various cities in the US. I also bit the bullet and starting blogging – something I was terrified to pursue for a very long time.

Looking back I realise that much of these achievements came down to being clear about what I wanted, working out how I was going to achieve defined objectives, focusing, and working my ass off to get shit done! 

So how can you set your own life-changing goals and actually achieve them this year?

Set personal goals

These might relate to your career, health and fitness, wealth, or personal life. Figure out what you want!

When setting goals, apply the SMART principle:

• Specific: Be clear about what it is you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Will you know when you have achieved your goal, and can you measure your progress?
• Attainable: Make sure your goal is challenging but possible to achieve.
• Realistic: Will you seriously commit to pursuing this goal?
• Timely: Give yourself a deadline.

Write them down and review twice a day. I have my goals on my phone and review them every morning and every night before bed.

Make a plan

Now that you know what you want, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to achieve it this year.

I start by brainstorming all the different elements needed to achieve my goal, then organise these ideas into a more concise mind map of the steps needed to achieve that goal. Write your goal at the centre of your mind map.

Breaking a plan into smaller steps not only gives me a clear visual picture of how to achieve that goal but also helps pinpoint where to start. If I’m in unfamiliar territory and have no idea where to begin, I focus on figuring out the next right step and progressively build a plan from there.

NOTE: Even once you have figured out your plan, things will inevitably change along the way meaning that your plan will need to be altered. Don’t let this derail you, just adjust it and keep moving forward.  

Work your ASS OFF!

There is no magic formula for executing this step.

Now that you have set your goal, made your plans and can clearly see what you need to do to, it’s time to put in the work.

I aim to complete a minimum of 3-5 tasks for each goal every day. They can be big or small, so long as they contribute in some way to achieving your goal.

Start each day by being disciplined and tackling the toughest task first. I’ll admit that this is something I often find myself avoiding. But each time I knock over that first dreaded domino I realise that it wasn’t as bad as I thought and I’m ready to move on.

NOTE: Try to write your “To Do” list the night before so that each morning you are clear on your priorities and can hit the ground running.

Be prepared

The process of achieving any goal requires persistence, perseverance and preparation.

If working towards your goal requires taking a big meeting, accepting an interview, or simply having coffee with someone in your industry, make sure you enter the room prepared.

To do this:

• Be clear about the purpose of the meeting: What are you trying to achieve? What are the other parties expecting from the meeting? What is your ideal outcome?
• Know who will be in the room: Do you know who you will be meeting? Is it more than one person?
• Do your homework: Have you done your research on that person/people/company? What are their skills or professional backgrounds? How can you help them? How can they help you?

Cultivating the habit of always being prepared means that you can walk into any situation, talk to anyone, and handle any problem with confidence and ease.

Develop a daily routine

To stay motivated, focused, and accountable to yourself, try to cultivate a morning and evening routine.

For me, this is a set of non-negotiable tasks I have tested and developed over time coupled with strategies from books and people I admire.

Morning routine

Each morning before reaching for my phone, eating breakfast, or getting ready for work I complete the following:

• 10-15 minutes meditation. You can use apps like Calm which have excellent guided meditations or even relaxing Meditation Playlists on Apple Music.
• Read and visualize goals.
• Review that day’s “To Do” list and make any necessary changes. Often changes are inspired by meditation sessions.

Evening routine

Each evening, my routine centres on reflection, unwinding and preparing for the next day. This involves completing the following:

• Writing in a Gratitude Journal. I write five things that I am grateful for and reflect on what went right that day, and where I can improve in the future. Each entry is finished by acknowledging myself, what I achieved that day, and what I am proud of.
• Developing the next day’s “To Do” list.
• Evening Meditation. This helps quiet the mind and facilitates a restful night’s sleep.

NOTE: Creating a routine that works for me took patience and experimentation and has evolved over time. When developing your daily motivational routine, figure out what formula is realistic and achievable based on your unique needs and lifestyle.

Stay focused

Don’t allow yourself to procrastinate. Avoid distractions and focus on completing one goal-related task at a time.

If you are finding it difficult to stay focused try:

• Keeping your phone on silent or vibrate.
• Switch off all social media push notifications.
• Close your email application and only allow yourself to check it once you have completed a task.
• Set parameters. For example, try to stay focused for 45 minutes then reward yourself with a quick break.
• Plug in headphones and listen to music that helps you focus. I find it difficult to focus on complex tasks when songs have lyrics so opt for instrumental “Focus” and “Concentration” playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

Have your digital assistant ready to go

Assemble a reliable digital “Tool Box” to help you stay on track and motivated.

Here are a few favourites from my Tool Box:

• Evernote – This is an app I use to keep track of projects instead of a physical notebook.
• Wunderlist – There are hundreds of productivity apps. But Wunderlist is simple, clean and the UX suits my workflow.
• Goal Tracker – iTunes and Google Play have many brilliant Goal Tracking apps but I personally like this one because of its visual display.
• Calm – A guided meditation app. Headspace is another fantastic meditation app. Alternatively, if you are not into guided meditation, Apple Music and Spotify have many calming playlists available.
• Focus Playlists – Apple Music and Spotify have several playlists that facilitate workflow and focus. I listen to these when I need to plug in and really focus.

There you have it, my hottest tips for getting shit done in 2018 and changing your life for the better! I hope they help you to move forward with purpose, focus and drive.

So what are you waiting for? Take a step in the right direction. Set one goal today and see where in the world your new path leads you.

What strategies, apps or tools do you use to stay motivated and achieving your goals? Let us know in the comments! 

More on BucketOrange Magazine

• Plawsible Deniability: How To End Procrastination And Career Self-Sabotage
• Think Like A Law Student: The Leslie Knope Guide To Overcoming Extreme Procrastination
• Think Like A Lawyer: Using Law Student Life Hacks To Get Ahead At Work

A brief mental playback and it seems like January – June screamed by like episodes in a podcast programmed to double speed. Wait … whaaaaaaaat have we achieved? What have we learned? What do we wish we didn’t learn?

So we thought it was about time that we eased our foot off the accelerator for a while, took stock and reflected on the last 6 months. A few of our BucketOrange Magazine writers boldly stepped forward to share their most memorable life lessons of 2017 so far in our inaugural half year review.

You’re welcome?

Sarah Lynch: Editor-in-Chief

So far this year I learned …

• You can take an orange out of a bucket, but you can’t take the bucket out of the orange.
• If you work hard enough at something, it eventually starts working for you.
• People are amazing! They are also jerks.
• Sleep is a precious, precious thing. If you have it, cherish it.
• Related: Never shop online late on a school night. Opening a smart jewellery parcel, bought specifically for the heart rate monitor, and tumbling to the realisation that your device does not, in fact, monitor heart rates is a self-esteem crushing situation to be avoided at all costs (especially the financial kind).
• The Killers ‘Mr Brightside’ has never left the UK charts since it was first released in 2003. Meaning that teenagers celebrating at current end-of-semester parties would never have heard the song when it originally came out. This makes Hot Fuss to them what The Joshua Tree is to me – music that was changing lives before I was old enough to listen to the radio. I feel weird inside.
• Limes are everyone’s best friend. Especially gin.
• The trick to surviving winter? Travel south till your skin turns warmer.
• Dairy is scary. Milk is actually permitted to contain a certain number of pus cells when packaged and sold. (You read that correctly the first time). But really chew on that idea for a moment. And don’t forget to savour your extra hot pus latte tomorrow.
• Switch to a plant-based diet. It’ll change your life.

Amy Thomasson, legal journalist

So far this year I learned …

• Season 3 of Twin Peaks is simultaneously the best and worst experience I’ve had this year.
• Don’t start taking a move overseas seriously only a week before you leave.
• Instagram’s story feature is superior to all other story features on social media.
• Don’t leave it two years between visits to your dental hygienist (seriously, blood EVERYWHERE).
• Acrylic nails are not suitable for anyone who wants to use their hands to full capacity.
• You’re never too old for Tumblr.
• Louis Tomlinson was aware all along that he was the dud member of One Direction.
• Prophets are not exclusive to the Bible (a fun fact I learned while playing the board game “Articulate”).

Chantal El Khoury, legal journalist

So far this year I learned …

• After trying and failing to learn code that tech is not my forte (best to stick with law).
• Everything happens all at once – assignments, exams, births, deaths and more.
• Mastering the art of making the perfect cheese platter is a skill to be coveted and a skill that I now possess.
• Writing a thesis is much harder than expected.
• It could take years before the United Kingdom officially withdraws from the European Union, not the immediate and dramatic ejection I originally imagined.
• Bitcoin is a thing now. It seems there are a finite amount – 21 million bitcoins – in existence. Once 21 million Bitcoins have been mined, no new ones can be created and they must be traded unless there is a change in policy to increase the supply. Confusing, right?

Bec Torsello, legal journalist

So far this year I learned …

• You never know a place until you visit it. Travel with an open mind and dismiss prejudices about possible travel destinations.
• Embrace the unknown, it may surprise you.
• Young people are powerful. After Brexit and Teresa May’s wake up call in the UK election, this really hit home. You have a voice, so make sure it is heard.
• Identifiably “Australian” things like Vegemite, Tim Tams, potato cakes, chicken parmas and politicians doing ridiculous things – like eating onions or having sandwiches thrown at them -should never be taken for granted.

Have anything you’d like to add to our “half year in review?” What have been your best / worst lessons or experiences of the year so far? Let us know in the comments!

There are few degrees that equip you for life like a law degree.

At its core, legal work focuses on untangling the inevitable complexities of life that often arise through everyday human interactions.

But legal training doesn’t commit you to a narrow career pathway – just because you study law does not mean that you are fated to be a lawyer. It’s a degree that opens up limitless career options and that prepares you to negotiate the challenges of life like a champion. Effective communication, strong problem-solving skills, thriving in pressure-cooker scenarios and the ability to engage in automatic risk assessments in any situation are just a handful of the enviable life skills you acquire with a law degree.

Well-placed cynicism

Law teaches you to look beyond the surface.

Lawyers can effortlessly identify the motivation behind actions of world leaders, factual deficiencies in news stories as well as the broader social impact in hidden political agendas.

Using methodical logic and reasoning, a law degree helps you think for yourself and dig deeper to uncover real issues. With sharpened analytical thinking, you become no longer happy to accept the status quo or satisfied in taking information fed to you by media, family, friends or colleagues at face value. 

Healthy narcissism

The more legal training you possess, the more you come to relish the sound of your own voice.  

You may even impress yourself with arguments you dream up on the run.

Since legal work often requires you to think on your feet, make inferences from complex facts and make snap decisions about a person’s character, you draw great comfort and satisfaction from knowing your own mind and trusting your judgement.

Effortless ability to express yourself 

A law degree teaches you how to have an opinion about everything.

Nobody argues with a lawyer. Not just because legal opinions are generally informed but also because lawyers know how to express ideas or facts using the correct terminology.

Having an informed opinion on any subject is also an exercise in personal empowerment. An understanding of your everyday rights means that you become unwilling to compromise your best interests under any circumstances. A boss who implements an unfair uniform policy or who turns a blind eye to sexual harassment, for example, can expect a strongly-worded letter from you to the Fair Work Ombudsman, or worse, a civil suit.

Problem solving

There is no problem that is unsolvable with a legal brain.

No matter the circumstances, life is about always having a solid exit strategy. Studying law expands your arsenal of life skills by giving you the ability to adapt to shifting landscapes, to work with available information, and to make watertight backup plans.

Experience an issue with your landlord? Take it to your state or territory rental board. Received an unfair parking fine because the sign was obscured? Appeal it to your local council. In any sticky situation, you can “MacGyver” your way to a solution with your mind. 

Futurist 

A law degree is essential if you want to minimise the risk of a legal snafu.

Lawyers have a nose for situations with the potential to escalate out of control.  

Humans are awkward, scared and fallible creatures that are prone to acting on impulse or raw emotion and making split-second errors in judgement. Legal training shines a high-intensity spotlight on those frailties, helping you to learn from others’ mistakes when negotiating your own life.

Mental fortitude under pressure

A law degree gives you a thick skin.

Although recent studies show that lawyer jokes have a comparable effect on the body to physical pain, for the most part, casual insults, pointed comments, eye rolls or derogatory comments from friends about “how lawyers are the worst” actually galvanise your emotional armour (and guess how fast those friends change their tune when they find themselves in legal strife?).

The ability to remain calm, focused, objective and controlled is a unique type of emotional intelligence that only comes from years of legal training. It’s a skill that is essential in navigating high-conflict personal or professional situations with ease.

Reading & understanding complex documents is a breeze

Applying for a British passport? Seeking a work visa in Canada? Want to know how Twitter’s new Privacy policy will affect you?

Allow me to dramatically skip to the important parts

Legal training creates an elaborate, almost labyrinthine, neural network that craves any opportunity to skim, analyse, digest and understand the content of a document under pressure.

Say goodbye to the days of being taken advantage of by organisations which slide unfavourable terms into the fine print of contracts.

More dateable than doctors

The law may not always be sexy but, according to a recent study by dating app, Happn, lawyers have managed to work their way onto most people’s “would date” list.

Because using Latin phrases to look smart is our modus operandi

In a study of 2.9 million users, being a lawyer was ranked as the most attractive profession among both sexes, even above doctors and engineers.

Career options

Employers look favourably on applicants who have a legal background.

If working overseas is on your bucket list, a law degree can open doors. Australian Volunteers International (AVI) and other government volunteer agencies are always looking to recruit qualified Australians to work in developing countries in a legitimate skill-sharing capacity. It might even be your dream role at an international human rights organisation.

Conclusion

Whatever the reason for studying law – whether for personal or professional development goals – the skills you acquire over the course of your degree are guaranteed to stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.

Using an entrepreneurial approach for career stress management 

Don’t expect too much from yourself too soon in your career.

The seemingly ‘instant’ success stories Elon Musk, and many other young entrepreneurs such as Jodie Fox, co-founder of Shoes of Prey and Jane Lu, founder of ShowPo, feed into an ever-accelerating cycle of millennial career propaganda. This is founded on the notion that if you have not ‘made it’ within the first few years of your career, or your business life, then you are doing something wrong. The reality is that it takes many years of hard work, persistence and determination to establish a solid career.

One effective approach is to ignore everything you think you should be doing and instead adopt an entrepreneurial mindset towards your career and life.

The ‘domino strategy’, described by Ramit Sethi, is an approach used by many successful entrepreneurs around the world. It involves setting one small career goal and knocking it over first. The beauty of this approach is that it removes the immediate psychological pressure you may feel to be an ‘overnight success’ by accounting for timelines that fall outside your direct control.

So, for example:

1. Your first step may be to update your resume
2. Your second step may be to send your resume to your ideal prospective employers

It could be a simple matter of sending an email to inquire about current or future vacancies. This helps you determine whether your idea for your career has potential. From here you can decide whether your skills and experience match the needs of the organisations or firms you wish to work for.

3. If your skills do not match, you can adjust your strategy and put your next steps into motion. For example, by obtaining an extra qualification or gaining more experience in a related field.

“Put the dominoes in just the right sequence so that each small step makes the next, bigger step possible” – Ramit Sethi

If you try to knock over the final domino before you have tackled the necessary preceding career steps, for example, the domino won’t fall. This means that you won’t be offered the job, and you will fail to achieve your ambitions this year.

A ‘domino sequence’ that works for one individual will not work for another – the challenge is to work out which sequence is right for your career.

Look at the career path of people you admire and replicate it

Well-rounded people have well-rounded careers.

One way to map out your perfect ‘domino sequence’ is to study the career pathways of people whom you admire and wish to emulate. A quick LinkedIn search can reveal the educational and professional histories of key industry players and give you a basic idea about what steps you should be taking. Ask yourself:

• Where did they study?
• What did they study?
• Where have they worked?
• Which job was the critical nexus that naturally flowed into their current role?

You can even go one step further by reaching out to these professionals.

Connecting with like-minded, experienced and accomplished individuals in your industry – whether for professional collegiality or mentorship – can help you to maintain healthy long-term wellness strategies and to cultivate strong industry support networks.

Expanding your professional network can not only provide balance and perspective to your work life but also drastically advance your career prospects. Justice Neil Gorsuch, one of the youngest U.S Supreme Court Justices appointed in recent history has credited his rapid career progression to the mentoring and support he received from other high-achieving judicial officers.

Relax and go with the job flow

Your first job out of university will not be your last.

A recent report by the Foundation for Young Australians found that the skills you develop through one role can be transferred to an average of thirteen other positions.

If your current job is still a few steps away from your dream job, then consider a side hustle. This could take the form of a passion project like design work, freelance writing, building websites, teaching fitness classes over the weekend or even chasing your professional interests through a part-time Masters degree. For current and future employers, this highlights your ambition, drive and creative talent.

It is highly likely that your first few jobs out of university will not be a perfect fit, but the flexibility and skills you acquire early in your working life gives you more career mobility.

These initial ‘dominoes’ help you get closer to where you really want to be in your professional life.

Develop your professional skills

Most employers seek applicants who have flexible skills that can be adapted and applied in many different forms. If you want to avoid the wilderness of unemployment or accelerate your career progression in a specific field, a postgraduate qualification can give you an edge over top candidates for competitive positions.

A practice perhaps pioneered by Susan Kiefel, the recently appointed first female Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia who completed her law degree part-time while working as a legal secretary in the 1970s, it is increasingly common for graduates to balance part-time postgraduate study with busy lifestyles.

In a recent study on education and work by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it was found that:

In May 2016, approximately 1 in 5 Australians (20%) aged 15-64 were enrolled in formal study [and] … People with higher levels of educational attainment were more likely to be employed, with 80% of persons with a Bachelor degree or above, 75% of persons with an Advanced diploma or Diploma, and 76% of persons with a Certificate III.” 

In an increasingly specialist legal marketplace, employers recognise the value of postgraduate study with Masters qualifications frequently listed as ‘highly desirable.’

Making the decision to study

If you are freshly graduated or revising your career goals after a few years of work experience, or are concerned that your existing skill set has not prepared you for the job you want, further study may be one of the key ‘dominoes’ you need to invest in your future.

Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether it is the right career move. Are you pursuing postgraduate study to:

• boost salary and career prospects?
• prepare for senior roles in firms and organisations in the public and private sector?
• enhance specialist skills and knowledge?
• progress an existing career or kick start a career change?
• fulfil yourself?
• be seen by potential employers as more qualified than other candidates?
• develop relationships with leading industry professionals?
• develop your practical skills and your ability to express those skills?

If you answered yes one or more of the above questions, it may be worthwhile exploring which universities offer study options that align with your current lifestyle and goals.

A number of fast and flexible online postgraduate qualifications, such as a Masters of Business Law through Southern Cross University, are specifically designed to integrate with full-time work commitments and require only 15 to 20 hours of study per week.

Conclusion

In his book The One Thing, Gary Keller, (founder of one of the largest real estate franchises in the world) says:

When you see someone who has a lot of knowledge, they learned it over time.
When you see someone who has a lot of skills, they developed them over time.
When you see someone who has done a lot, they accomplished it over time.
When you see someone who has a lot of money, they earned it over time.”

This year, follow the lead of successful entrepreneurs. Rather than setting yourself overly ambitious and unrealistic goals, aim to start small and enjoy the ups and downs of your professional journey. Line up your ‘dominoes’ and build momentum steadily, over time, towards your dream career.

Once you knock over those first few ‘dominoes,’ the rest will effortlessly fall into place.

This post is proudly sponsored by Southern Cross University. For more information on how to jump start your legal career in 2017, click here.

Gone are the days of a job for life, and thank God, how boring. Today we must all be ready to adapt and embrace change. The only certainty in our professional and personal life is that things will change whether we are ready or not. So instead of fighting it, make it happen the way you want. Consider the benefits of slash careers, write your own story and don’t be limited by the scepticism and fears of those around you. And remember, even when you feel lost and uncertain and second-guess yourself, don’t worry, it’s normal, we’ve all been there. Just hold strong and have faith in yourself and if all of that is too hard, then just pretend until your ego catches up to your success!

I wanted to be a famous actress

For me, the attributes of embracing change, remaining adaptable and having a love and understanding of language have all been integral to my career. These attributes were incubated in the performing arts. Yes, I wanted to be a famous actress. I know, not the most common starting point for a lawyer.

Or … maybe a lawyer

After studying performing arts at UWS Theatre Nepean and taking up acting, I then found myself
teaching … something I had never planned on doing. Then, with the intervention of a good friend, I decided to take the leap and study law.

I remember being terrified because I really didn’t think I had the brainpower. I was always the fun, bubbly, arty one … not the serious lawyer. Thankfully, my brain cells managed to multiply and I ended up practising law for about nine years before moving from the legal arm at one of the big four banks to the frontline as a bank manager.

Now I am thankful for the skills I’ve picked up along the way because they enhance my client-centric focus in my current role at Nexus.

Opportunity doesn’t knock, it whispers!

To me, life is like reading a book. You don’t turn to the last page to find out how it pans out. You want to see how it develops.

If someone pointed me out to you in the theatre while portraying Hermia in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and said, “Wow… she’d make a great general manager for a bank in 20 years’ time”, you’d laugh. For me, this is the most exciting thing about my career to date. I never saw any of it coming.

As my father once said to me, “opportunity doesn’t knock, it whispers, and you have to be listening.”

My journey into the law was amazing and a turning point for how I saw myself and my potential. Can you believe it? I was awarded first-class honours! And while I loved law and its practice, I didn’t like the way the traditional firms operated so, embracing change yet again, I moved to Hobart and began a PhD in bioprospecting.

Eventually, I came back to Sydney and worked in a couple of law firms including Truman Hoyle, which embraced my non-traditional lawyer personality. The more I practised law the more I became interested in what my clients did. I used to call it the “so-what” factor.

The law books say you can’t do it, but so what?

Really … a banker?

I contemplated work in business and ended up as legal counsel at Westpac. My inquisitive nature is never quelled and I started looking on the bank’s intranet to better understand its business. I thought the frontline sales team could do with some co-ordinated support, so I put together a proposal for a new job for myself. It coincided perfectly with Gail Kelly’s move to create a customer-centric culture. A series of secondments upskilled me to the extent I was then appointed as the bank manager at Hurstville, one of the top four branches in the country.

It was amazing. I loved it. Again I could feel my brain cells multiplying. It was a completely different skill set. Everything I had learnt as a lawyer actually hindered me. I had to learn to retrain a lot of things, even just simple communication.

I realised that legal language is terrible. After my experience as a bank manager, I now approach it differently. I can appreciate the mindset you get into as a lawyer, it is challenging, but it doesn’t work for everyday Australians, and that is who we are servicing. Communication fascinates me and I learnt that bankers are very good communicators because they are sellers. Lawyers traditionally aren’t.

And back to law … but no longer a “handbrake!”

Now back working as a lawyer I appreciate just how difficult it is to run a business unit. It’s a completely different skill set and I have huge respect for my clients and the work they do. What we do as lawyers is such a tiny facet of their business. It’s not everything, not the be all and end all. When you’re in a law firm you can trick yourself into thinking it’s a really important thing. It’s not, and for business it’s a headache and they don’t even want to think about the headache. No one wants to know about it.

The challenge is to be seen as part of the solution, not part of the problem.

When I was moving into the business arm of Westpac, the people who gave me a shot were more interested in my performing arts background. That’s what gave me the edge. My legal background was a concern to them. A lawyer in their minds was a handbrake. But a lawyer can be part of the solution.

What people think they need isn’t necessarily what they do need, and that’s where the skill set of the lawyer and the skill set of the banker come in. The theatrical background and love of teaching were integral to my success in the national manager role at Westpac, especially upskilling regional bank managers. Everything is simply a problem to be solved.

Many businesses and legal firms talk the talk when it comes to collaboration and collective wisdom, but few walk the walk. They baulk at bringing in people with different skill sets. That’s not the case at Nexus. It’s all about complete collaboration and striving for success. It’s all client-centric. Law is the only industry that thinks it doesn’t have to concentrate on customer service. My skill set from Westpac is a perfect fit – for me, the client is at the centre of everything.

Good business structure involves flexibility and strength. Those attributes apply to a good lawyer and a good law firm.

So remember … enjoy the journey, own your path and don’t apologise for taking a different route. Often it’s the choices that fill us with the most fear and make the least sense that end up defining our success and happiness.

What do you think about the prospect of sticking with one career for your entire professional life? Is the diversity and constant interest of a slash career something that interests and excites you? Let us know in the comments!

I can’t do it anymore, I’m not good enough, this is too difficult.”

Do you ever experience any of these thoughts, particularly when exams are just around the corner, or when you have not started an assessment that is due less than 24 hours away?

If you answered yes, then you could be headed towards burnout.

As a university student, you may feel constant pressure to do well and to work hard. In the midst of juggling study, work and social commitments it is not surprising that many students forget to take care of their physical health and mental wellbeing.

Around the country, many students are experiencing increasingly high baseline levels of daily stress and anxiety but are, perhaps, unable to identify the root cause.

It is therefore important to be able to recognise the early warning signs which may indicate that you, or someone you know, is suffering from a mental health imbalance.

Below is a quick checklist for some of the most common symptoms of deeper underlying issues.

Physical Signs Of Anxiety Or Stress

Some common physical signs of anxiety or stress are:

• Exhaustion
• Feeling nervous
• Insomnia, or sleeping too much
• Loss of weight and appetite
• Headaches
• Neck tension
• Stomach upset or nervous stomach
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Prefering to stay at home

Emotional Signs Of Anxiety Or Stress

Some common emotional signs of anxiety or stress are:

• Feelings of apprehension or dread
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling tense and jumpy
• Expecting the worst
• Feeling restless
• Feeling miserable/irritable
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Frustration
• Disappointment in yourself

If you have noticed recognisable changes to your general state of mind or to your physical wellbeing that lasts longer than a few days, it is vital that you take positive steps and do something about it.

If you are still unsure whether you are suffering from anxiety or stress, complete BeyondBlue’s anxiety and depression checklist. 

Five quick and positive steps you can take today to help with depressive thoughts, anxiety or stress can be found below.

1. Seek Help

Every university has a counselling centre or a wellbeing society.

Make good use of free resources that are available to you. Seeking help does mean that you are a failure or can’t ‘tough it out’ on your own. It means that you are self-aware enough to recognise your limitations.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that you are not the only one experiencing anxious thoughts. Sooner or later, life has a way of knocking every one of us down to the point where we feel like we cannot get up again. This is a normal and natural part of being a twenty-or thirty-something. The important thing is that you do get up.

Understand that others, such as friends of family may, through their own life experiences, be in a better position to give you strategies to cope. Our personal experiences don’t always equip us to deal with particular types of stress, so speaking with someone who has been through something similar can help you to get back on the right track quicker and easier.

You may also meet someone going through a similarly stressful time who can relate to your experiences and offer support and friendship.

If you feel uncomfortable talking with a counsellor or other professional, Lifeline and Beyondblue provide 24 hour anonymous support either over the phone or online chat.

2. Take a Break

Remember that you’re only human.

Our bodies need rest to perform at their best. Nobody can work or study non-stop and expect terrific results every time.

Taking a break gives your brain time to recalibrate. It refreshes your thinking and helps you to see your situation with a fresh eyes and a fresh perspective.

3. Sleep!

Get plenty of sleep (at least 7 hours per night) and cut down your afternoon intake of caffeine.

Try to switch to decaf or herbal tea from 2pm. Many students get into the habit of leaving assessment or study until the last minute and pull an ‘all nighter’ to finish. Chronic sleep deprivation can, however, seriously damage your mental and physical health as well as diminish the quality of your work.

And why risk a bad mark, or compromise your mental health, with something that is as easily manageable as getting enough sleep?

If you can muster the willpower, avoid blue light from electronic devices like phones, tablets and laptops a few hours before bed. Experiment with apps like Sleep Cycle which help track your sleep patterns and monitor the quality of your sleep.

4. Try Yoga Or Meditation

Yoga and meditation are great ways to reconnect the mind and body, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress or fatigue.

Spending 15-20 minutes doing yoga or going for a quick walk or run during a study break can drastically lower stress levels, get your blood flowing, refocus your mind and improve concentration. Daily Yoga is a fantastic free app with over 500 yoga poses and instructions.

It’s great for study life and also life in general. Develop strength and flexibility and get into fantastic shape!

For a quick mental holiday, get into the habit of using apps like Stop Breathe Think, Smiling Mind, Simple Habit or Zen. You can check-in with how you’re feeling at any given moment and try short activities tuned into your emotions. Just 10 minutes of guided meditations per day has been proven to significantly reduce stress levels by proactively managing the way you deal with negative or overwhelming thoughts and feelings.

One practical strategy to minimise the impact of anxious thoughts is to put those thoughts on paper.
Set aside 15 minutes every night before bed to write down whatever is bothering you. It could be an upcoming exam, an overwhelming study schedule or general life pressure.

Seeing your fears or worries written down removes their power and unburdens your mind from its need to hold onto them.

5. Eat Healthy  

Midnight Maccas runs and dinners consisting of instant noodles always seem like a good idea at the time. But a few seconds of instant gratification with cheap junk food can mean that you are jeopardising your physical and mental health.

According to Dr Hyun Shin from the Harvard School of Public Health:

Although instant noodles are a convenient and delicious food, there could be an increased risk for metabolic syndrome given the food’s high sodium, unhealthy saturated fat and glycemic loads”.

High sodium foods have also been linked with heart disease and other serious health problems.

Not feeding your body the nutrients it needs to succeed is like pouring sand into an engine and expecting it to perform well. Recent studies indicate just how important healthy gut bacteria is for our overall health, including mood and mental health.

To effectively manage stress during exam period, it’s critical to spend the extra time preparing meals for the week and feeding your body the right fuel to succeed. Think tuna, rye bread, quinoa, green leafy vegetables, blueberries, and other superfoods that will boost your energy, focus and happiness and reduce stress.

If you are stuck for recipe ideas, the Women’s Weekly Super Foods for Exam Success book is a great place to start. HelloFresh delivers healthy ingredients straight to your door, and Youfoodz even prepares and delivers fresh meals, so all you need to do is factor in time to sit down and eat properly.

Conclusion

The next time you experience stress or anxious feelings that you cannot seem to switch off, try some of the above strategies as a first step.

Keep in mind that stress and worry are our brain’s way of working through problems – real or perceived. The more you worry about something, the more value your brain assigns that worry as a big problem that needs to be solved.

If you really want to stop worrying about something, you have to deal with it head-on.

Either write down what is troubling you; adopt healthy incremental lifestyle changes, such as eating healthfully, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep; talk about your problems with friends (who are likely to be feeling the same way as you) or seek professional help from a university counsellor or anonymous national helpline.

University is one of the best times of your life, so remember to keep things in perspective and proactively care for yourself and your friends. When it comes to the pressures of student life, try not to assign too much value or stress on getting perfect grades, performing perfectly or acing assessments.

Things are never as bad as they may seem at the time and, importantly, this stressful period in your life is only temporary.

Further Information

• Monkey Mind: A Memoir on Anxiety by Daniel Smith
• Things Might Go Terribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety by Troy DuFrene
• The Worry Cure by Robert L. Leahy
• Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson

What strategies do you use to cope with stress or anxious thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

Congratulations!

Welcome to full-time work – including all the joys of early starts, lunch meetings, CLE points, figuring out team dynamics, and triple-checking an email before you send it to anyone in the office!

It’s pretty easy to fall into a bit of billable cynicism and weekend-pining when you finally start working at your law gig. So here are a few ideas and insights from those who have gone before you to help make your first years a little easier.

• You’re Going To Make Mistakes

Without a doubt, you will make mistakes. It’s not called the “practice of law” for nothing.

But let’s be realistic: as a junior lawyer you’re rarely going to be put in a position where something you do (or don’t do) will lead to an ‘end of the world’ scenario. Regardless, be open to the fact that despite your perfectionism, attention to detail, and fastidious nature, at some point you’re going to make a mistake – and that’s OK. See the next dot point.

• It’s How You Handle Mistakes That Matters Most

Okay, so you’re now aware of your error.

If you discovered it, think about what has or hasn’t happened and consider possible ways that you can fix it.

Never try to cover up what has happened. This is not the time for pride. Now, go and see someone more senior and give them the straight run of facts. You don’t need to apologise profusely, but do say that you’re sorry and that you messed up. Suggest ways you think the situation can be fixed and werk, werk, werk, werk, werk until the problem is fixed or the issue is mitigated.

If the mistake has been identified by someone else, then you need to apologise immediately and open a dialogue as to how you think the problem may be solved. Don’t blame anyone else at this point. You need to wear it.

Once the problem is no longer a problem, or the fall-out has been substantially minimised, start a conversation with your manager or partner to figure out why the mistake happened in the first place, and how you can do things differently in future. This conversation is super important.

Senior lawyers know you’re going to make mistakes – they’ve been there before, even if they don’t always seem to remember what it was like. They’re not going to make you feel great about it when the inevitable happens. But the real test of your character, and your resilience, is to do everything you can to fix the problem and to identify strategies to diminish the risk of a repeat scenario.

• Communication Is Key

You’re going to work with people at many different stages of their legal careers.

Make sure you are always respectful in your communication – whether it’s via email or in person. If you’re giving a clerk or paralegal a task, remind yourself what it was like to be in their shoes and explain the task slowly and considerately.

If you’re called to anyone’s office to discuss a task ALWAYS take a pen and notepad with you. Write everything down. And always ask questions. If you don’t understand something when you’re receiving initial instructions for a task it’s far easier to ask straight away rather than later that afternoon when you’re trying to recall all the other things that were said!

It’s also essential that you ask when the task is due and how long you should spend on it. This way you can manage your time effectively. It also means you’re likely to be adding value to the file, rather than spending too long on a task with the time later written off.

• Dealing With Different Personalities

It’s not always easy working with different people who have unique working styles.

Try not to be disheartened if you feel you don’t “click” with someone. Keep trying, even if you feel like you’re not making progress.

• It’s Okay To Say “No”

If your workload is maxed out – don’t be afraid to say “no” to extra work.

It’s important that you manage your tasks so that you can finish the work that has been assigned to you in an achievable timeframe. It’s better to be realistic and say to a Senior Associate:

I’m pretty snowed under this week because of due diligence for the Commercial team, but I will have capacity on Monday.”

This is the preferred approach.

It’s much better to be clear about your existing workload, rather than a) taking on more than you can manage; b) offloading the task to someone else at the 11^th hour; or c) giving it a bare minimum crack.

Be honest about your time and manage the expectations of others.

• Time Is Important

As cold and callous as it may sound, if you’re working in any kind of firm that makes money you’re probably going to have to bill for your time, meet KPIs, or both.

While things are changing, and some firms are offering alternatives, the vast majority of commercial firms charge by the 6 minute unit.

You have to get good at billing and establish a routine of entering your time as soon as you’ve completed a task. Otherwise, you’ll probably miss time which means you won’t be meeting budget and you won’t be demonstrating your value.

It can be really depressing looking at “the clock” and seeing how many more units need to be done for the day. So try and plan your day around getting short and sharp units on the clock first thing in the morning – like firing off emails and telephone calls. When you start the bigger tasks a little later in the day, it’s not so daunting and you have already posted some good time.

Figure out what works for you – but make sure you bill, and bill honestly. If a three-page letter took you three hours, you’ve got to bill for it. This is also the partners’ way of seeing how you spend your time, so that if you’re spending too long on something they can help you.

• Get Involved And Give Back

Young Lawyers and the various Law Society Committees are a great way to meet other people and attend cool (often free! open bar!) events in the law.

If you’re in a big graduate program, it’s important to be involved with the other graduates and participate in your firm activities and events. However, don’t let this limit you to the world outside your firm. There are lots of interesting law and other speaking events, competitions and networking opportunities that are great for meeting other people and growing your personal brand. You just need to be aware of what is available and tap into it.

Once you have become settled into the full-time routine, you may wish to think about volunteering your time at a community legal centre.

As a lawyer, you’re in a pretty privileged position and giving something back is a nice way to recognise this.

• Take Time For Yourself And Your Health

It’s no doubt been drummed into you all the way through law school, and sounds like such a textbook suggestion, but it’s really important that you have a life outside work.

Take time for yourself, your friends and family and continue to enjoy the things you like doing in your spare time. Whether this takes the form of enjoying weekend sleep-ins, competing in Iron Man events, having dinner with friends or relaxing with Netflix and wine, it’s crucial that you carve out some dedicated “you” time.

Working in law can be high-pressure and competitive. To perform at your best during work hours, it is critical to take time for yourself and pursue interests outside the office.

This gives you a bit more balance in your life and means that you will be in a better position to cope with work-related stress when it arises.

• Get Yourself A Mentor

This doesn’t necessarily need to be someone working in law.

Find a person who can give you guidance and support, especially in your early years working as a solicitor.

There are many unforeseeable challenges that come with full-time professional work, not to mention the challenges that are specific to law. It’s nice to be able to soundboard problems or ideas with someone who has a few years on you and has literally “been there, done that” before.

You might already have someone like this in your life, which is great. Use them as a resource to fast track your professional development!

Otherwise, Young Lawyer Mentoring Programs can assist. LinkedIn is another great networking resource. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire, or would like to get to know better, and seek out their time and advice.

Just remember to always be very grateful and respectful of their time!

What are some of the main challenges you face as a young legal professional in Australia? What strategies have you found are the most effective in helping you cope? Let us know in the comments section below! 

Further Information

For light-hearted guides and resources on how to survive law school and beyond visit:

• Survive Law

To find out more about young mentoring programs get in touch with:

• NSW Young Lawyers Mentoring Program
• Law Society of NSW Womens Mentoring Program
• Womens Lawyers Association Mentoring Program
• Victorian Womens Lawyers Mentoring Program
• Law Society of South Australia Womens Mentoring Program
• Australian Corporate Lawyers Mentoring Program
• AICD Coach and Mentor Connect
• ACT Law Society Young Lawyers Mentoring Program
• Adelaide Law School Young Lawyers Mentoring Program
• Law Institute of Victoria Mentoring Program

Universities run Alumni Mentoring Programs twice per year:

• ANU Alumni Mentoring Program

For support coping with work-related psychological or emotional distress contact:

• Lifeline for Lawyers – telephone crisis support every night between 8pm to 4am (AEST).
  Call 1800 085 062; or start a live chat.
• Lawyers Assistance Program – Open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
  Call 1800 777 662 or email to access support.
• LawCare – a professional and confidential counselling service for solicitors and their immediate family members. Counsellors are practising GPs experienced in dealing with unique difficulties faced by legal professionals. Initial phone assessment and referrals are free. Costs only incurred for face-to-face consultations and much of this can be claimed back through Medicare or private health cover for clinically relevant medical conditions.
  Call 0416 200 788.

• Vic Lawyer’s Health – LIV members and their families have complimentary 24-hour access to the Vic Lawyers’ Health line. Up to three face-to-face counselling sessions are free.
• The Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation Psychological Wellbeing – Best practice guidelines for the legal profession are intended to support the profession in raising awareness of mental health issues.
• R U OK? – Helpful tips for having a conversation about mental health openly and respectfully with those around you.
• R U OK At Work? – Workplace resources to educate and inform managers and employees to ask for help and manage difficult situations.

Of course, you wanted it when it was free! In fact, you revelled in the novelty of having top end reading materials during your morning train commute. You haughtily quoted the latest snippets of news on business, finance, investment and politics to your colleagues on your morning coffee run.

But then you forgot that your free trial period only lasted for one month …

Your golden age of pseudo-intellectualism abruptly ended, leaving a crestfallen you with barely enough credit to purchase a compulsory bottle of Chandon for your friend’s 30th birthday this weekend.

The Sting Of Unexpected Subscription Fees

Nobody has the financial capacity to spend their salary on recurring and unused subscriptions to magazines or other apps and services such as Spotify, Netflix, iTunes music, Evernote or gym memberships. Especially when a lot of these charges can be old subscriptions you have forgotten about and which occur without your knowledge.

But checking your credit card bills for monthly accumulating charges is a painful and time-consuming exercise in patience and persistence. The investment of time and energy necessary to chase down and cancel $12 amounts can seem too high. But over time these amounts can add up to $500 over per year.

Luckily somebody in Silicon Valley just automated your worst nightmare. A fancy new app scans your online statements to find paid subscriptions and recurring bills.

All you have to do is:

1. Sign up
2. Enter your bank or credit card institution. All major Australian banks such as ING Direct, St George, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac as well as credit cards such as 28 Degrees Mastercard are supported.
3. That’s it.

TrueBill sends you information on you subscriptions so you know who is charging you every month. A built in one-click cancellation system also allows you to instantly cancel unwanted subscriptions. The best part is that your statements are monitored every month so that any price hikes or unexpected fee changes are flagged and sent to you in a handy report.

Time to start putting that extra cash aside for your next escape!

Further Information

To sign up for free, visit the TrueBill website.

It is relentless, distracting and exhausting.

Technology allows us to check email and draft an immediate response anytime and anywhere. While queuing for our morning coffee, while waiting at a pedestrian crossing, or even while killing time on the train during our daily commute. For most of us, sending a quick, and often ill-considered, email has not only become commonplace but also socially acceptable.

For the recipient of a poorly-constructed email, however, this approach delivers a duel message. They receive your intended email, of course, but between your lines of text lie a hidden message which reveals itself subliminally through your tone. Rushed emails that omit common greetings, use passive aggressive language or make unreasonable demands, for example, betray a lot about you and your environment.

Nailing the right tone for emails is one of the most important, yet consistently undervalued, components of any job.

But what if you do not have the job yet? How can you follow up on a job application without coming across as desperate, needy or irritating?

The Situation

Sending out a number of job applications and not hearing back for several weeks (or even up to a month) can be acutely demoralising.

While most companies notify unsuccessful applicants, an increasing number are failing to get in touch with those who have not been selected for interview at all.

This makes knowing whether you have been eliminated from the list of potentials, or whether they are still considering your application, extremely difficult. Not knowing where you stand can leave you in a constant state of frustration, anxiety and uncertainty.

The good news is that there is no need to wait by your phone or jump at the first sign of a new email.

Make a decision and take control.

Step 1: Settle in for the long haul

Relax. Recruitment processes take a LONG time.

Allow at least two weeks, and sometimes up to one month, from the time you first lodged your application before thinking about following up. Sending an email any sooner will come across as too eager and demanding, which could result in more harm than good.

Step 2: Follow up 

If over two weeks have passed with no correspondence, you may wish to consider checking on the progress of the recruitment round.

You can call the relevant contact officer, or send a short email.

How To Pull If Off The Right Tone

Follow up emails are a tricky and temperamental beast.

Sending a balanced, considerate and well-crafted email that achieves its objective (without getting a potential employer off sides) is an art form which requires time, consideration and skill.

A template example of what NOT to send:

Dear [insert name of recruitment manager]

I applied for [insert name of position] with [insert name of organisation] some time ago but have not heard anything back.

Could someone please let me know what is going on and when interviews will be held??

Cheers

[insert your name]

Do not take your frustrations out on recruitment. This structure and tone will immediately antagonise a potential employer and your application will be scrapped. Here’s why.

The email starts by accusing the organisation of being disorganised or slow with recruitment. Its passive aggressive tones will not be well-received by most people. It goes on to demand information about internal company timelines and processes which the applicant (as someone external to the organisation) may not be entitled to. Lastly, it assumes that the applicant will be called in for an interview – a decision which has not yet been made by recruitment.

A better, professional template you may wish to consider using:

Dear [insert name of recruitment manager]

I hope this email finds you well.

I just wanted to follow up on the progress of recruitment for the [insert position that was advertised] in respect of which I was an applicant.

I would be grateful if you could let me know if this position has been filled.

Thank you very much.

Best wishes

[insert your name]

Benefits Of Being Bold

Knowing that you can follow up on the progress of a job application places you in a position of power.

Learning whether or not you are still in the race means you can focus your energy either on preparing for your possible upcoming interview, or moving on and finding a better job.

What strategies do you use when following up on a possible job? Let us know in the comments section below!

Further Information 

Some great resources to kick-start your job search:

Legal Jobs:

• Law Societies
• Legal Aid
• BeyondLaw Job Hub
• Pro Bono Australia
• RRRLaw
• eFinancialCareers

Federal Government:

• Australian Local Government Job Directory
• Australian Public Service Jobs
• Australian Public Service Graduate Programs
• Australian Job Search (JobActive)

NGO and community work:

• EthicalJobs
• HAC Jobs
• NGO Recruitment
• Trans Remote Assistance
• JobSeeker

State Government and Council:

• NSW Government
• Victoria Government
• Queensland Government
• South Australian Government 
• ACT Government
• Western Australian Government
• Tasmanian Government
• Northern Territory Government

Creative Industries:

• MUmbrella
• Australian Infront
• Creative Foyer
• Creative Pool
• Freelance Factory
• Ozlance
• Pedestrian Jobs
• The Loop
• Adcorp
• COMJobs

You probably set yourself some pretty ambitious goals earlier this year:

• Find a new job (one that challenges and interests you – hopefully it pays better than your current role);
• Lock in some adventure travel plans (or, at the very least, plan more weekend mini-breaks);
• Spend less money on nights out, gigs and festivals;
• Spend more money on sensible life planning (like saving for a car or your first home).

But it’s already 1/4 of the way into the new year, and you find yourself still reading the same book you started over Christmas.

Half your time is spent living vicariously through Facebook, which drip feeds you images of your friends who are embarking on Attenborough-esque Galapagos Island adventures. Their updates – involving 1am evacuations with life vests after their boat unexpectedly hits rocks and floods their cabin – make you sick with longing that you were chasing life and bobbing on a life boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Because, ultimately, the perspective offered by the narrow beam of your flashlight when travelling always trumps the dim existential illumination provided by your work cubicle.

So take control. Regroup – and book those cheap flights before the year gets away from you!

1. Travel At The Right Time

When you choose to travel heavily influences the price you pay for flights.

If you decide to travel during peak season, for example, you can commit yourself to paying double the price you would pay during off-season.

2. Subscribe To Alerts

Email alerts from your preferred airlines will tell you when sales and hot deals are on.

Keep your eyes peeled to grab special deals before anyone else.

3. Book Ahead

As a general rule, booking between
6 weeks to 8 weeks before your planned departed date is ideal for securing the best and cheapest flight prices.

4. Price Comparisons

Check a range of sites to make sure you are getting the best deal on your flights.

The below flight price comparison websites are a good place to start:

• Expedia
• LastMinute
• Webjet
• Skyscanner
• I Want That Flight
• Zuji
• Kayak

5. Fly Mid-Week

This is usually the quietest and cheapest time to travel.

Fridays and Sundays are generally the most expensive days to fly. Avoid booking on these days wherever possible.

6. Go Incognito

Use a private browser (such as Google Chrome using an incognito window) when searching for flights.

This prevents airlines from tracking your browsing history on Monday, for example, and jacking up prices for the flights you are interested in purchasing when you come back to buy your tickets on Tuesday.

7. Pay Now, Save Later

Never ever think that you can manage your overseas trip without travel insurance.

You could need insurance for any number of scenarios, including:

• an unexpected cyclone that leaves you stranded in Fiji and needing to change flights and travel plans; or
• a violent sandstorm in the Namibian desert which destroys your digital SLR camera; or
• your suitcase, including your laptop, being stolen in Bangkok; or
• a tree coming out of nowhere, while snow boarding in Whistler, which leaves you seriously injured and needing to be medically evacuated out of Canada.

Travel insurance is an essential safety net for the myriad of reasons you cannot foreshadow running into while travelling. Use the cash you save on cheap flights to buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy: the few hundred dollars you invest here can save you thousands in the long run.

Further Information

For some of the cheapest and most comprehensive travel insurance visit:

• World Care Travel Insurance

What countries are on your ‘must visit list’ this year? If you had the money to book an overseas holiday departing next week, would you drop everything and go? Let us know in the comments section below!

It’s a truth universally acknowledged: nobody enjoys being probed with questions about their personal life.

To avoid giving away more than you wish during a stealth information-seeking attack, it’s critical to psychologically prepare by using some effective strategies used by most lawyers.

Why do people ask personal or inappropriate questions?

Asking questions and sharing information is a way of building trust and forming social bonds. Humans are naturally curious. We love discovering little known information about others, because it gives us a social metric to compare our own success or failure.

In its least offensive form, personal questions can be asked out of curiosity and an genuine desire to get to know you. On the other end of the spectrum, however, these interrogations can be carried out with the goal of obtaining your personal information and misusing it.

If someone knows intimate details about your personal life, financial or career situation, for example, they not only have an insight into what makes you tick, but are also in a powerful position to use that information against you immediately or in the future.

Shock tactics, manipulation and stealth psychological strategies may be used trick you into disclosing information that you would not otherwise be prepared to part with. For some unscrupulous people, probing for your personal information is not just a hobby, it’s a blood sport.

How to identify someone likely to ask personal questions?

People who overstep the mark with personal questions are generally not in your inner friendship circle or professional network.

The very reason you are naturally reluctant to share information with them is because they live on the outskirts of your social world. Their capacity to keep your personal information private, or maintain your strict confidence, is largely is unproven.

It stands to reason, then, that people who have no reservations when it comes to asking you personal or inappropriate questions are not entitled to that information.

After all, if you wanted that person to know details about your private life, you would have volunteered the information to them in the first place.

What strategies are commonly used to extract personal information?

People who routinely ask personal or inappropriate questions are usually brash and unapologetic. Some common strategies involve:

Boldly asking you a personal question out-of-the-blue.

This surprise tactic guarantees you will be so stunned that you are likely to offer up the information immediately.

Rapid-fire questions used to disrupt your equilibrium and impact your judgement.

The speed and intensity of this style of questioning leaves you with zero time to answer with anything other than the truth before the next wave of questions hits you.

Feigned concern about you.

At face value, it seems as though personal enquiries come from a place of care or concern about your wellbeing. For example:

You look really exhausted lately, is everything okay at home with you?” or “You seem so overwhelmed. Are you coping with all your work?”

These questions make you feel that your best interests are at the heart of the enquiry, but in reality they mask a hidden agenda. As you explain what is worrying you, immediate insight is gained into your deepest life troubles. That information can now be used to spread rumours about your failed relationships; to damage your reputation; or to make an argument to your boss that you are not coping and to steal your promotion.

People who seek such information do not feel remorse for making you feel awkward or embarrassed by their enquiries.

In fact, they thrive on it because it means they are able to glean the information they desire.

Think like a lawyer to avoid awkward social encounters  

Experienced CEOs, business owners and lawyers rarely get caught giving away information they do not purposely intend to reveal. So how do they do it?

Lawyers, in particular, go into every social or work situation with the upper hand.

This is because lawyers trade in the exchange of information everyday. They are considered with their responses and trained to weigh facts, risks and possible outcomes. Lawyers understand common motivations behind enquiring human minds, and the far-reaching implications of private information getting into the wrong hands.

When asked a question, either socially or professionally, lawyers will pause and think carefully about their answer. These precious few seconds are critical time needed to mentally cycle through and analyse:

• Who the information is likely to benefit or work against
• What purpose the information could potentially be used (whether good or bad)
• Why the question is being requested in the first place
• Whether there is a need for the information to be shared

Try to forecast the future flow-on effects of revealing information about yourself

It is always worth using the same strategies employed by a lawyer. Ask yourself why someone is asking a particular question before deciding whether to answer.

Put yourself in the position of the person asking you a probing question. Think about why they need that information and whether their possession of it could be harmful to you.

Ten strategies to avoid answering inappropriate questions

1. Answer the original question with another question

Why do you want to know?”

This strategy allows you to take control of the conversation. That person must explain the reason behind their enquiries into your personal life. This usually generates enough awkwardness for them to drop the question entirely.

2. Respond with sarcasm or a joke

Q: “How much money do you make?”

A: “Not enough to buy my way out of this exquisitely uncomfortable conversation”

With a bit of luck, they will get the hint that they have overstepped and move on.

3. Redirect the question to a topic that you do feel comfortable discussing

This is a common strategy used by politicians when dealing with the media. It involves avoiding the original question by answering the question you wish that you had been asked.

4. Call it out 

Embarrass the person asking inappropriate questions by pointing it out in a light-hearted way.

Wow, you really do ask a lot of personal questions don’t you?!”

Laugh, then walk away to prevent the conversation from going any further.

5. Begin your answer by saying the word “No”

This is a psychological technique which generates the expectation that your response will be negative, paving the way for you to avoid answering the question altogether.

No, I won’t answer that.”

6. Answer ambiguously or immediately change the subject

That’s a good question! What do you think?”

Combine this strategy with a wry smile and most decent people will immediately understand not to push any further.

7. Play for time

Pretending, for example, that you don’t understand the question causes the person asking to experience some level of discomfort and the need to explain further. This gives you extra time to think about how much information you wish to reveal.

8. Ignore the question and continue the conversation as though it were never asked

A simple but highly effective strategy – the person asking the question will have no option but to move on or embarrass themselves by going over old ground.

9. Set boundaries

If someone is being particularly aggressive or persistent in their line of questioning, you may need to establish clear boundaries by firing back a few personal questions of your own.

This quickly places that person on the back foot and distracts them from their original agenda. It also establishes hard boundaries that they will not easily cross in the future.

10. Don’t answer the question at all

A nil response is the most difficult strategy to execute.

But if you can hold your nerve and maintain eye contact long enough for the person questioning you to lose their nerve, it is also the most effective.

At the end of the day

You may feel obligated to answer every question you are asked out of politeness but, the reality is, you are rarely ever compelled to.

In Australia, there are two things that set Gen Y (persons born between 1981 and 2000) apart.

1. They are independent and informed: more than any other generation, access to quality and accurate information on financial matters is never more than a few clicks away.

2. They are forward-thinking and adaptable: imminent changes likely to impact this generation’s future financial security have led young Australians to seek alternative ways to build and retain wealth.

This means that the way Gen Y go about investing money will be vastly different from previous generations.

Here we explore some upcoming government changes to superannuation, the likely impact on young Australians and the smartest investments you can make based on your age and financial situation.

Ch-ch-ch-ch Changes

A serious question that needs to be asked is whether Gen Y will see a cent of its superannuation?

If you think this is radical, insane or just downright silly, recent reports indicate that the government is already starting to make changes – the impact of which will be visible in the not too distant future. Over many years several commentators, including Kris Sayce at Port Phillip Publishing, have been vocal in foreshadowing these developments. You can find some of his work at Money Morning.

Some estimates are that the Australian Super pie currently sits at $2 trillion and that the government currently has a $356 billion debt, growing by around $36 billion every year.

The government has identified abuse of the tax system by some wealthy who have misused super concessions to reduce their tax by channelling money into super that would normally be taxed at the highest marginal rate.

The government is currently gauging public interest in major changes to super, perhaps even a scheme for the nationalisation of superannuation. An example of minimum possible change comes from recent statements by the Treasurer, Joe Hockey, about changing super rules to allow young first home buyers access to their super for a home deposit.

One clear problem for the government is that the very wealthy do not so much take advantage of the tax benefits of super as invest moderately in it. Instead, Australia’s super wealthy place the bulk of their finances into ventures that make big money quickly and that they can use now – not in 20-30 years.  This means that any significant changes to super arrangements will likely leave the lower and middle income earners (the majority of Australians) worse off.

These are the very people who take advantage of the tax benefits of super and who believe it is the best thing for their financial futures.

Turn and face the strain

You can start protecting your hard-earned cash with some simple but effective strategies today.

Be proactive. Prepare for change and invest wisely.

1. Super Contributions

To grow your money quickly, consider only investing the required minimum in your superannuation fund. The tax benefits are not that great and you cannot touch it for 40 years.  This will give you more cash to invest in money-generating products that you can use now!

2. Gold and silver

It is important to diversify your portfolio. As far-fetched as it may sound, one of the best ways to do this is to invest in precious metals.

Most serious and smart investors purchase a percentage of gold and silver to make money but it can also be used as a long term investment strategy. These days, investing in gold or silver is important to protect your financial interests against:

• local economic uncertainty;
• inflation; and
• unstable global economies.

Spend a few weeks saving and buy an ounce of gold or some gold coins. At the end of the day, precious metals are the most reliable asset to have if things go ‘pear-shaped’ economically. When you eventually want or need to cash-up, your gold or silver investment is guaranteed to provide you with a very healthy return.

3. Stock diversification

Investing in the stock market can be a great way to invest but diversification within your stock portfolio is a must.

It is important to remember that whether you are a day trader or a big yield hunter, putting all your eggs in one basket or sector is a sure-fire way to fail on the stock market.

Small Caps

These stocks are high risk, high return. When you hear someone making a fortune on the stock market it is because they picked the right small cap. These stocks can see 100-300% gains on your initial investment but you can just as easily lose all your money.

Bottom line – Only invest what you can afford to lose.

Blue Chip Stocks

These stocks are for large, profitable and national companies.  Blue chip companies have a strong record of stable income and a solid reputation. Generally speaking, the benefit of investing in blue chips stocks is the dividend – investors in these companies are more likely to receive substantial returns on investment in spite of economic fluctuations.

This is why you pay a higher price to acquire these stocks.

Bottom line – Investing in blue chip stock is a long term play that requires a decent chunk of money to get started.

Pretty soon now you’re gonna get older

Stay informed about changes that impact you.

These are just some of the ways you can diversify your portfolio, protect your interests and invest wisely for the future.

In the coming weeks, we will be explore other ways you can invest – such as bonds, starting a business and searching for yields.

Until then, sit down and make a plan. Do your own research and figure out what works for you based on an objective assessment of your financial position.

What are your golden rules for investing? Tell us about your strategies to save and grow your money in the comments section below!

Note: I am not a financial adviser. When it comes to your money, you should always conduct your own research or consult with a financial adviser/planner before making any decision to invest.

Looking for further information?

Before engaging a financial adviser, you should always check their credentials.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) databases will tell you if the adviser is licensed to sell you certain financial products or provide you with financial advice.

To check if your financial advisor is licensed, contact:

• MoneySmart website; or call ASIC’s Infoline on 1300 300 630 (from inside Australia), or
  phone +61 3 5177 3988 (from outside Australia)

Before investing, it is important to check whether the investment company is operating legally.

To check if an investment company or scheme is operating legally, search:

• ASIC’s MoneySmart database; or call ASIC’s Infoline on 1300 300 630.

To make a complaint, contact ASIC’s complaint service.