?? Shower your imagination and shape your ideal legal career

?? Welcome to Notes to My (Legal) Self, the frequently fun newsletter with a focus on helping you build the legal career of your dreams.

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Hello Legal Dreamers,

Many of you can relate to a 2014 survey of 4,000 people aged 18 to 64 across 8 countries confirming that 72% of people have experienced new ideas in the shower. Scott Barry Kaufman, the cognitive psychologist who conducted the study,? wrote: “The calm, solitary and non-judgmental shower environment may afford creative thinking by allowing … people to be more open to their inner stream of consciousness and daydreams.”

And we need to daydream. Motivational author Napoleon Hill asked wealthy people about the keys to their prosperity then wrote about his findings in The Law of Success: In 16 Lessons, first published in 1928. It reads:

“Just as the oak tree develops from the germ that lies in the acorn, and the bird develops from the germ that lies asleep in the egg, so will your material achievements grow out of the organized plans that you create in your imagination. First comes the thought; then the organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then the transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.”

What may seem like a random insight in the shower may be the imaginative seed from which you bring the legal career of your dreams to life!?

Where do you do your most imaginative thinking? Do you make time to daydream on purpose? Share your experience in the comments!

Best,

Olga

Creativity on the job

The World Economic Forum lists “creativity” and “innovation” in its top 10 job skills for 2025, and “creativity” is on Indeed’s list of the top 20 skills in demand in today’s workforce.?

The internet is full of apps to help boost your creativity such as:

• Brainsparker offers free creative workouts and tools to practice igniting your imagination every day. Also find online courses, coaching, and training programs.
• Doodle Buddy is a popular free app that lets you doodle with your finger on your iPhone.
• Behance lets you “search the creative world at work” to discover the creative work of others all over the world in professions such as fashion, web design, and architecture. Share your work, too.

Note: These are only suggestions, not affiliate links or endorsements.?

The Latest in Legal Career Development

Video: Don’t let imagination struggles keep you inside the box. Get 5 tips on How to Build the Future of Law Creatively and start envisioning a better legal world for everyone.

Forbes Technology Council: Find the perfect mentor to help you navigate the ever-changing technical side of work as well as the politics and soft skills needed to succeed in any career.

Above the Law:? GCs used to just run legal departments. Not anymore! Learn what your first steps should be as a new GC in Advice for My Friend, the GC!

ACC Docket: Your soft skills enhance your value in more important ways than you may realize. Learn How Your Willingness to Embrace Technology Enhances Your Soft Skills to Boost Your Competitive Edge.?

Attorney At Work: How do you get unstuck in your work, home and life? If you feel trapped in your legal career try these 8 Steps to Finding Your Purpose.

Feed your creativity

“Creativity is especially expressed in the ability to make connections, to make associations, to turn things around and express them in a new way.” -- Tim Hansen

The more you know, the more elements you have to connect.?

Challenge yourself and feed your creativity! Study a new topic you’re curious about. Find free courses at Khan Academy, Coursera, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) or The Open University.?

So you want to be the GC

Imagining your future self leading from the General Counsel chair? A new ABA podcast talks with leading GCs to offer practical and actionable guidance for pursuing the top in-house legal role.

• Explore the paths that led to the role of GC.?
• Learn the essential skills and characteristics for success.
• Stay current on GC hot topics.

New episodes are waiting for you now at Conversations with GCs. Including my insights in two parts -- part 1 and part 2. It turns out I have a lot to say on this subject!

Notes To My (Legal) Self Corner

Podcast: Why should aspiring GC’s listen to the podcast? Get highlights from the first three episodes in Calling All Aspiring GCs with host David Hamm, Senior Counsel–Corporate at Summit Materials.?

Video:? More tricks and tips to being an effective and influential GC. See how to balance supportive leadership with the willingness to be agile in Walking the Highwire (Life as a Solo GC) with Join Kristen Porter, GC at private firm GHSP.?

?? You can always find up-to-date information, insights, and events on the Notes to My (Legal) Self LinkedIn page. Follow the page so you don’t miss a single beat!

? Do you know an in-house leader who would be a great guest for the Notes to my (Legal) Self LinkedIn LIVE/podcast conversation? Let me know. And yes, self-nominations are accepted and encouraged!

Share your ideas

Thanks so much for reading. Now it’s time to hear from you!?

• Do you get new ideas in the shower??
• What was your last daydream about?
• What else would you like to discuss?

Comment below! Or send me your thoughts and questions, then join in as I discuss the issues that concern you most in future newsletters.?

?? That’s all for this edition of Notes to My (Legal) Self. Don’t forget to subscribe to receive notifications when I publish each new edition.

Olga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company pioneering online negotiation technology. Olga dedicates her career to improving the future of law through innovative solutions. She remains convinced that the legal profession will emerge stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than ever by embracing technology.?

Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security, and Blockchain Value: Transforming Business Models, Society, and Communities.?