Kick off your BD year with purpose – whether you’re setting ambitious targets or simply looking to improve on last year’s efforts. We spoke to Kerry Jones, Executive Coach for Lawyers and Founder of Kerry Jones Coaching, who has helped countless lawyers set and achieve meaningful goals. Here are Kerry’s top five tips to set yourself up for BD success in 2025:
1. Start with honest self-reflection
“The first exercise I do with my lawyer clients is to help them ‘take stock’.”
Before setting new goals, take stock of the past year. Ask yourself:
- What went well?
- What did I enjoy?
- What didn’t go as planned?
By understanding your wins and lessons learned, you’ll be better placed to set meaningful, achievable goals.
2. Set goals you’re excited about
“Ask yourself: ‘Do these goals excite me? Do I REALLY want to achieve them this year?’”
Choose goals that genuinely excite you. Think about what you want to achieve, why it matters, and how it will positively impact your career or life. Popular goals for lawyers often include:
- Income targets
- Expanding your client base
- Increasing your visibility (internally and externally)
3. Build accountability into your plan
“Accountability is a game-changer in both personal and professional life, so it makes sense that if we really want something, we build it in.”
Regular check-ins with yourself, a trusted colleague, or a coach can significantly improve your chances of success.
- Set quarterly reviews to assess progress.
- Consider using an accountability partner to stay on track.
- Reward yourself when you hit key milestones.
