Sinopsis
The Velocity Work podcast is for lawyers who run their own firm. It explores tactics, tools, and stories that help owner-attorneys push past simply lawyering well to building a successful firm. Melissa Shanahan, Velocity Work's founder, helps clients and listeners shift how they operate in order to achieve the next level for their firm and their life. From numbers and business strategy to discipline and mental health, Melissa's approach provides sustainable success.
Episodios
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#303: Mental Traps That Keep You Stuck
01/04/2025 Duración: 16minAre you feeling boxed in by your own thinking? As a law firm owner, it's easy to fall into mental traps that limit progress and create unnecessary stress. The truth is, you are never stuck because of your circumstances. You are stuck because of how you think about those circumstances. In this episode, Melissa explores common thought patterns that keep law firm owners trapped in cycles of stress and limitation. She breaks down the relationship between thoughts, feelings, actions, and results, showing how small shifts in thinking can open up new possibilities. This simple practice transforms the experience from feeling stuck to becoming strategic. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/303
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#302: Set the Right Rocks: Prioritize Your Way to a Thriving Law Firm
25/03/2025 Duración: 31minAre you struggling to decide which Rocks to prioritize in your quarterly planning? Do you find yourself avoiding the uncomfortable tasks that deep down, you know are essential for your firm's growth? In this episode, we get into the details of setting effective Rocks and facing the discomfort that often comes with making tough decisions as a business owner. If you're ready to step into your next level as a business owner and create the kind of firm you've always wanted, this episode is for you. Melissa will guide you through the process of setting Rocks that align with your goals, even if they make you squirm. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of how to prioritize your efforts and move forward with confidence. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/302
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#301: Restriction vs Restraint: Finding Freedom Through Intentional Choices
18/03/2025 Duración: 27minDo you ever feel boxed in by your own plans and systems? Like you're constantly battling against a set of rigid rules that leave no room for flexibility? Many law firm owners struggle with the idea of structure, viewing it as a restriction rather than a tool for success. Discover the power of practicing restraint within a flexible structure and learn how tools like Monday Map/Friday Wrap can help you strike the perfect balance. Whether you're struggling with all-or-nothing thinking, battling burnout, or simply looking for a more empowering way to approach your goals, this episode will give you the perspective and strategies you need to take control of your time within your law firm and life. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/301
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#300: Consistency: Reflecting on 300 Episodes (And What's Next!)
11/03/2025 Duración: 25minThe Law Firm Owner Podcast has officially hit 300 episodes! This milestone speaks to the power of consistency and long-term commitment. When Melissa launched the show nearly six years ago, she set a clear goal: show up every single week, no matter what. In this episode, Melissa reflects on the lessons learned from staying the course. She shares how consistency has shaped both the podcast and her business, why playing the long game is essential for success, and how creating something of value without expecting immediate results leads to real impact over time. She also reveals exciting updates for the podcast and what’s ahead for Velocity Work. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/300
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#299: The Two Faces of Tolerance: How to Leverage Discomfort for Growth
04/03/2025 Duración: 26minHave you ever stopped to consider what you're tolerating in your law firm and life? We often put up with less-than-ideal situations without realizing the impact it has on our productivity, morale, and bottom line. But what if we could harness the power of tolerance in a positive way to achieve our goals and dreams? In this episode, Melissa explores the concept of tolerance from two different angles. She dives into how tolerating the wrong things can hold us back, while strategically tolerating discomfort can propel us forward. Tune in now to learn how to use tolerance to your advantage and take your law firm to the next level. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/299
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#298: The Power of Rules: How to Set Yourself Up for Success in Life and Business
25/02/2025 Duración: 34minDo you ever feel like you're stuck in a loop, failing to follow through on your goals despite your best intentions? You're not alone. Many law firm owners struggle to create lasting change in their lives, relying on willpower alone to push through. But what if there was a better way? In this episode, Melissa shares insights on how to make success automatic. By setting clear, identity-based rules for yourself, you can remove decision fatigue and create a new normal. It's not about motivation; it's about the systems you put in place. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/298
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#297: Escape the Burnout Treadmill: Focus on Resource Allocation, Not Just Growth
18/02/2025 Duración: 23minDo you feel like you're constantly working harder but not seeing the growth you want in your law firm? You're hiring more people, taking on more cases, and putting in long hours, yet your revenue and profit aren't keeping up. It's a frustrating cycle that can lead to burnout and leave you feeling stuck on a treadmill. In this episode, Melissa explains how shifting your mindset from working harder to allocating smarter can help you scale your firm without burning out. You'll learn how to focus on what truly moves the needle for your business and avoid spreading yourself and your team too thin. Get ready to get off the treadmill and start seeing real, sustainable growth. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/297
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#296: Easy Mode vs. Hard Mode: Positioning Yourself to Win
11/02/2025 Duración: 25minDo you ever feel like you're constantly playing life on "hard mode"? Like no matter how much effort you put in, you can't seem to get ahead or achieve the results you want? What if there was a way to flip the script and start playing on "easy mode" instead? By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of what it means to position yourself well, and practical strategies you can implement right away to start experiencing more flow, productivity, and fulfillment in your life and law firm. Get ready to level up from "hard mode" to "easy mode." Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/296
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#295: Regain Control of Your Firm: Data-Driven Decision Making
04/02/2025 Duración: 20minDo you ever feel like you're stuck in a rut with your law firm, desperately wanting to get your hands around your business but not knowing where to start? You're not alone. Many law firm owners struggle with understanding their data, identifying key focus areas, and making the necessary changes to achieve their goals. In this episode, Melissa dives deep into the common challenges faced by law firm owners who feel trapped in a glorified job rather than running a thriving business. She shares insights on how to break free from the cycle of stress and overwhelm by prioritizing data-driven decision making and strategic planning. If you're ready to take the reins and create the law firm of your dreams, this episode is a must-listen! Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/295
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#294: Before You Expand: Mastering Your Core Services First
28/01/2025 Duración: 32minAre you considering expanding your law firm by adding a new practice area? It's a common dilemma faced by many law firm owners looking to grow their business and boost revenue. But is it the right move for your firm at this time? Don't let the allure of a new revenue stream cloud your judgment. Tune in to discover how to approach expansion strategically and set your law firm up for sustainable success. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/294
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#293: Reframe Your Goals: Embrace the Stretch, Not Just the Destination
21/01/2025 Duración: 21minDo you ever feel like you're frantically chasing your goals, only to be left deflated when you don't hit them by the deadline? What if the key to sustainable growth lies not in the destination, but in the stretch? In this episode, Melissa dives deeper into the topic of goal-setting and shares some powerful insights that can transform the way you approach your targets. She explains why focusing on the work, rather than the outcome, is the secret to creating true velocity in your firm. Get ready to learn how to set ambitious targets while maintaining peace and perspective along the way. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/293
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#292: Goal Setting Approach for Estate Planning Firms with Maintenance Programs
14/01/2025 Duración: 32minDo you have a clear plan for your law firm's growth in 2025? Are you setting the right revenue goals and projections based on your firm's unique circumstances? In this episode, Melissa shares how to approach goal setting and revenue projections in a way that makes sense for your firm. Specifically, she dives into strategies for estate planning firms with maintenance programs to set accurate revenue goals and projections. By breaking down your revenue streams and understanding the nuances of recurring revenue, you can create a roadmap for growth that is both ambitious and attainable. This episode tells you how. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/292
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#291: How to Increase the Value of Your Law Firm: Your Biggest Asset with Darren Wurz
07/01/2025 Duración: 43minHow do you determine what the value of your business is, and how can you think differently to increase the value of your law firm? This topic will strike a chord with lawyers everywhere, but not enough lawyers understand the value of answering these questions, especially when it comes to retiring from or exiting your law firm. To help you start thinking abut your practice as an asset, Melissa is joined this week by Darren Wurz. Darren is the founder and CEO of The Lawyer Millionaire Founders Network, a next-generation membership model of financial planning designed exclusively for law firm owners. Tune in this week to learn practical strategies to improve your structural, human, customer, and social capital, setting your firm up for long-term success and a profitable exit. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/291
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#290: Small Wins and Progress: Reflecting on The Past Year
31/12/2024 Duración: 09minSometimes, looking back over the past 12 months leads to self-criticism and a sense of disappointment, not allowing you to see the small wins that have made this year a success. If you look back over 2024 and can’t shake that voice of self-criticism, this episode is for you. It’s easy to lose sight of how far you’ve come, especially when there are still items you didn’t cross off your list this year. But even if this year hasn’t been as deliberate or as fruitful as you’d hoped, there’s a lot to be proud of yourself for, and Melissa is showing you why on today’s show. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/290
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#289: Your Mental Health, Curiosity, Self-Compassion, and Parts Work with Jenny Jacobsen
24/12/2024 Duración: 39minHave you ever felt like you're riding the line between feeling good and feeling down, but not quite tipping over into full-blown depression? As a high-achieving law firm owner, it's easy to get caught up in the drive to succeed and push yourself to the limit, often at the cost of your own well-being. In this episode, Melissa sits down with her therapist, Jenny Jacobsen, to discuss the importance of mental health for law firm owners. Jenny is a Certified EMDR therapist with 14 years of experience in clinical practice. They dive into the concept of curiosity as the opposite of depression and how getting curious about your own feelings and experiences can lead to greater self-compassion and connection. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/289
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#288: Hard-Won Wisdom: 8 Lessons Learned from Members and Clients
17/12/2024 Duración: 36minDo you ever feel like you intellectually understand a lesson, but haven't truly learned or implemented it? In this episode, Melissa shares eight hard-won lessons from law firm owners that have been game-changers for their businesses. These are not just quippy truths, but real experiences that have forever changed the way these owners operate. Join Melissa this week to hear the top eight lessons learned by her Mastery Group members, and consider how you can start practicing them in your own firm. Whether it's implementing a system for regular check-ins with your team, tracking conversion rates, or learning to trust others with responsibility, there is at least one takeaway that can help you create better results for yourself and your firm. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/288
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#287: The Keys to Work-Life Balance: Lessons from the Monday Map Process with Drew Hickey
10/12/2024 Duración: 41minDo you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions at work, never quite making progress despite working long hours? Do you struggle to find a sense of calm and control over your time and results? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Drew Hickey, a Mastery Group member and Monday Map Power Hour facilitator who has experienced a profound shift in her mindset and productivity through implementing the Monday Map process. Tune in this week as Melissa and Drew dive deep into the power of the Monday Map process for creating intentional plans and honoring them throughout the week. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/287
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#286: From 65 to 28-Hour Workweeks: Strategies for Scaling Back with Lauren Davis
03/12/2024 Duración: 01h03minAs a law firm owner, it's easy to fall into the trap of working long hours and neglecting other important areas of your life. And if, like so many other lawyers, you’re looking for a way to achieve better work-life balance, you’re in luck. This week, Melissa is joined by Lauren Davis, a medical malpractice and personal injury attorney based in Virginia. Lauren shares her journey from working 45-65 hour weeks at a midsize firm to starting her own practice and intentionally scaling back her hours. Listen in to hear Lauren’s practical tips and insights on how to track your hours, create an ideal workweek template, and delegate tasks to free up more time for the things that matter most. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/286
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#285: The Importance of Self-Awareness and Intentionality in Combating Exhaustion
26/11/2024 Duración: 35minFeeling exhausted as the holidays approach? You’re not alone. While some level of exhaustion is normal, different types of exhaustion require different remedies. Tune in to discover the difference between harmful and beneficial exhaustion, learn practical tips for restoring the nervous system and cognitive function, and understand the importance of having a strong support team. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/285
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#284: Set Your Law Firm Up for Success in 2025: Two Key Areas to Focus on Now
19/11/2024 Duración: 25minAre you ready to make 2025 your best year yet as a law firm owner? In the midst of holiday celebrations and all the things that come with this exciting time of the year, the key to success lies in being proactive and setting yourself up for a strong start. And in this episode, Melissa shares two crucial areas to focus on now that will pay dividends in the new year and beyond. Listen in this week to learn Melissa’s tips for teeing yourself up for success in 2025. You’ll hear how surrounding yourself with the right people can provide energy, inspiration, and guidance you need to thrive, why data is an essential piece of the puzzle, and the key metrics every law firm owner should track to gain clarity and make informed decisions to drive your firm forward. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/284