STOP COMPARING YOUR SITUATION TO EVERYONE ELSE'S
 

This part of being an attorney is probably the hardest in the world. This part consists of saying these words, “Your situation is not like everyone else’s”.


Why are these words so hard to say?? The reason is everyone in their mind has evaluated their situation, their case or their circumstances and has compared it to someone they presume is similarly situated. Once they draw the comparison, they look at the other person’s favorable outcome. Next, they look at their current situation. Finally, after evaluating all of the facts, looking at the outcome and looking at their situation, they come to a conclusion that everyone should clearly understand. Why is my situation NOT like theirs when every thing is the same??? .:read more:.

 

   Brilliant deduction, isn’t it? With that logic, it’s a wonder more people aren’t attorneys. Wait, am I being a smart aleck?? Who?? ME??? Of course, I am.

Why?? In that brilliant deduction, there is one small piece that is not considered. What is it, you might ask?? I’ll tell you. It’s the fact that everyone’s circumstances are NOT the same as someone else’s!!

Think about it like this. Suppose you buy the same car, with the same amount of mileage, from the same car lot as your friend…the cars are the same. Same paint job, same accessories, same make and model. However, as soon as you buy the car, the car starts to have problems. You don’t know what the problem is but you can’t understand it. Now you’re mad. Why?? Well, your friend’s car (which is the same make, model, paint job and accessories) isn’t having any problems. This problem should not exist. It’s absurd…it’s crazy. It’s a RECALL. It just so happens that your car has a slight defect. Well, what does that mean?? That means that your car is NOT exactly like your friends.

With that being said, take a look at your situation and focus on just YOUR situation. Don’t let yourself get ‘caught up’ in the situation where you think you should get as much money as someone else, or you should get a certain contract like someone else, or you should get some product or services like someone else.

Now, don’t get me wrong. In some negotiations, if you have information about someone who is similarly situated and you are using their facts to better position yourself, I am NOT opposed to using that tactic. It’s actually a tactic that is used all the time. However, you need to understand that there is a difference between posturing / positioning and dwelling / fantasizing.

So with that being said, I want you understand this point, clearly. When going through any legal situation (whether it is a contract dispute, a claim, or a law suit), don’t spend time overly stressing on what you think you should get or should not get based on someone’s situation you THINK is exactly the same as yours. Focus on your situation first, and let the rest, work it self out.
By Anthony Reeves, Esq. (Owner of the Reeves Law Firm, www.reevesfirm.com, and A.nthony R.eeves E.xperience, www.anthonyreeves.com)

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