As we head into a new year, consider committing yourself to making it different, better, more fulfilling. Sure, the life of a female lawyer is nothing if not an exercise in multi-tasking, constant balancing of multiple priorities, and going the extra mile to be acknowledged and rewarded compared to your male counterparts, but the savvy lawyer understands that her legal career is only as satisfying as she molds it to be.

Attorneys are very busy people, often logging their time in six-minute increments. Where do they 'find' the time to get and stay in touch with everyone AND have the much-needed downtime?

Relationships only happen when we are committed to make them a priority, and that takes time and a commitment to 'water' the relationship seeds we sow.

Some things appear to be so simple that we assume (dangerously) that everyone 'gets it.'

Along the way to charting your own course, below are critical habits to be implemented as you stay focused on growing a fulfilling and prosperous career.

Though the road may be paved with bumps and hiccups, women lawyers can absolutely chart their course, a different course by implementing proven strategies to create the career of their dreams. Below are critical habits along that path to a fulfilling and prosperous career.

For all the chatter, studies, and disheartening stats we read on where Women in the Law rank in the legal services sector, I say 'phooey'. Yes, the numbers stink; yes, there are real barriers, discrimination, disappointing treatment from law firm leadership, but hey, we are women 'with a capitol W' as the phrase goes.

Though follow up can take many different approaches, the overall non-negotiable component involves any action step which provokes the other party (existing client, prospect, etc.) to want to continue contact with you.