We are almost at the end of the year. Let's reflect, analyze how things went this year, and then get some clarity on what you'll focus on next year.

In this episode of The Focused Solo series, Tony breaks down how to build your quarterly Rocks, otherwise known the three to five priorities that will actually move your solo law firm forward over the next 90 days. If you’ve ever set vague goals like “grow the firm” or “make more money,” this is the episode that shows you how to turn those ideas into measurable, actionable plans.

Tony explains the difference between outcome goals and process-based Rocks, walks through real examples of both, and shares how to break each Rock into smaller, doable Pebbles that fit into your weekly schedule. You’ll learn how to identify what really matters, block time for focused progress, and stay accountable week to week so you finish the quarter with results you can see, not just intentions on paper.

Related:

• How to Set Quarterly Rocks that Actually Get Done (EOS Worldwide)

• The Velocity Work Guide to Building 90-Day Goals

• The Difference Between Goals, Rocks, and Tasks

Before we get into setting quarterly rocks next week, let's reflect on what we did a few weeks ago. If you haven't done the Clarity Break session I worked with you on, check out episode 026 for the first episode in The Focused Solo series I am doing through the end of the year.

The Focused Solo is a 3 month series I am doing to help you set priorities for Q4 and do some annual planning for 2026. I aim to do some small bite sized exercises with you during these episodes to get us both straightened out for the last quarter of the year.

Links mentioned:

Velocity Work / Melissa Shannahan: https://www.velocitywork.com

Dan Martell's Buy Back Your Time: https://www.buybackyourtime.com

One year in, I look back at the core themes of Solo Law Club: planning that sticks, pricing with data, KPIs that tell the truth, lean overhead, smart automations, humane communication, deep focus, and a niche practice that fits your life. We revisited Buy Back Your Time, Four Thousand Weeks, The Anxious Generation, and Slow Productivity. I tied these ideas to real tools like Back Office Betties, Calendly, MyCase, LegalBoards, Zapier, OpenPhone, and Missive. Year two will bring more practical teardowns, live planning sessions, and human-first systems for solos.

Further reading:

• https://www.velocitywork.com/monday-map

• https://www.clio.com/blog/law-firm-metrics-kpis/

• https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/

In this episode I unpack Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity through the lens of a solo law practice. I talk about choosing fewer and better cases, planning work in natural seasons, protecting deep work blocks, and aiming for craftsmanship that reduces chaos later. The goal is not to do less for its own sake. It is to produce work that matters without burning out.

Further reading:
Cal Newport’s three principles. https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/
Cal Newport’s summary essay in Behavioral Scientist: https://behavioralscientist.org/a-new-philosophy-of-productivity/

In this episode I explore the “second mountain” idea, which is the purposeful life after you’ve built a successful solo practice. I talk about defining “enough,” shifting from growth to impact, adding meaning metrics to the dashboard, serving beyond the billable, protecting craft time, and building rhythms that make the business serve your life rather than the other way around.

Related reading:

• 
  https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/14/the-second-mountain-quest-for-moral-life-david-brooks-review
• 
  https://hbr.org/2023/01/why-success-doesnt-lead-to-satisfaction
• 
  https://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/law-firms-can-attract-and-retain-talent-by-providing-purpose-for-young-attorneys

In this episode, Tony explores what it feels like to hit your version of success as a solo lawyer and why that can be unexpectedly disorienting. Inspired by a Tim Ferriss quote, this conversation covers how the chase often gives us purpose, and why learning to rest in the wins is just as important as reaching them.

Related Links:

• Tim Ferriss: “When Success Makes You Anxious” – Clip on Instagram

• “The Grayhound Who Caught the Rabbit” – A Take on Post-Success Restlessness (Medium)

• Why High Performers Struggle With Happiness – Harvard Business Review

In this episode of Solo Law Club, Tony reflects on The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and how its message about kids growing up in a hyper-connected world also applies to adults — especially solo lawyers. He shares how switching to phone notifications turned off has helped him reclaim focus, reduce stress, and be more present both at work and at home.

In this episode of Solo Law Club, Tony shares the exact automations that save him hours each week in his solo law practice. From after-hours voicemail screening to automated client updates and streamlined email workflows, Tony breaks down the tools and integrations he uses to lighten his workload and stay focused on high-value legal work.

You’ll learn how he uses tools like Vida.io, Zapier, Calendly, OpenPhone, LegalBoards, and Missive to automate intake, communication, and case management—without losing the personal touch that builds trust with clients.

• OpenPhone

• Calendly

• LegalBoards

• Zapier

• Missive

• Vida.io