The Hard Thing about Hard Things

One of the best business books I have read is 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers’ by Ben Horowitz, one of the most successful angel investors in the US.

His book is full of valuable insights, many of which apply to not only startup founders but (surprisingly?) to law students too. Let’s have a look.

“There are only two ways for a manager to improve the output of an employee: motivation and training.”

The same applies to you when you are…managing yourself and applying yourself to your studies. Remember why you have chosen to focus on a legal career, visualise the future positive outcomes and keep training - namely studying and practicing writing legal essays. 

“Spend zero time on what you could have done, and devote all of your time on what you might do.”

How you did last year is of no consequence now. You need to start anew. Stop thinking about your GPA and how it is too late for you to improve now (or any other excuse you might be coming up with) and devote all of your time and effort on what you can actually change. The results might surprise you. 

“Sometimes an organization doesn’t need a solution; it just needs clarity.”

I could not agree more - this is spot on. Sometimes clarity IS the solution, because it allows you to properly rephrase the question and, as Charles Kettering had said, “a problem well-stated is half-solved”. So, whether you are seeking a solution (i.e. an answer) to a legal essay, a legal problem question or a job interview, ask yourself whether clarity is what you actually benefit you the most.  

“The most important lesson in entrepreneurship: Embrace the struggle.”

At the end of the day, as they say, the hard thing about hard things is…that they are hard. If you are someone who aims at the top marks and wishes to excel, you must understand that it is not going to be an easy ride. So, decide if it is worth it and start grinding today. Bon courage and best of luck!