To Snuggie TM... or Not To Snuggie TM: Finding Warmth and Humor in a Chaotic Legal Market

Â
	CRAWLING The Snuggie Pub Crawl 1 Your nightmares come to life with the Snuggie bar crawl, in which misguided souls swaddled in sleeved blankets descend on otherwise pleasant bars to mingle with their own kind and possibly spill pilsner all over their blanket-aprons. (OK, you can make reservations now...)

My relationship with the Snuggie^TM began innocently enough. My sister called me in December with excitement over the fact that she had found the perfect birthday gift for me - a fleece, over-the-head blanket . . . with sleeves. I dismissed her call as a joke and as little more than a quick-and-easy way to remove me from her shopping list. However, since that fateful day, the Snuggie^TM has crept into my life in unaccountable ways. Friends have mentioned it, candidates, colleagues, my significant other. Seemingly intelligent, fashion-conscious individuals are finding some sort of comfort in an overhead blanket with sleeves, which reminds me very much of the Stonehenge scene in Spinal Tap . . .

Psychologists will tell you that people are drawn to the basics when things get tough: food, family, home, warmth. Are the recent layoffs and job uncertainty creating the perfect storm for the Snuggie^TM? If you read the news, or even glance at YouTube (which actually celebrates The Cult of Snuggie^TM), the answer to that question is an unequivocal ''yes.'' Far from its warming benefits, experts claim that the Snuggie^TM has psychological benefits as it is ''ultra-comforting . . . for people who live in 'affection-challenged' families.'' It further fills the role of a ''faithful friend which gives us a sense of security.'' ²Opponents counter that . . . it;s a robe.³


To be frank, I neither support nor oppose the Snuggie^TM, but I am strangely attracted to it, albeit the way that it keeps crawling back into my life in an odd six-degrees-of-separation kind of way is somewhat disconcerting. Is some Grand Force in the universe telling me that I need the Snuggie^TM?

What is it about the Snuggie^TM that rights the wrongs in people's lives right now? Is that even logical? I have no idea, but I do know one thing: When things get tough, people turn to objects, places, people that remind them of when things were safe and secure and this stabilizes them and allows them to think more clearly. I also know another thing: Maybe in our haste to find a new job or hold on to a current job, we are overlooking the things that give us comfort in chaos . . . like the Snuggie^TM or a Starbucks coffee . . . and maybe we should not overlook those things despite our desire to save money right now. A candidate recently asked me how he could find a quiet moment to think when he has a great deal of white noise in his head caused by fear over losing his job. I could not think of an answer at that moment, but I did much later. Find the thing that offers you comfort and go to it. Spend some time with it, and get some clarity. Notwithstanding the recession, if a $4 Starbucks in the morning is your idea of starting the day, stick with it. If a $20 Snuggie feels like a right move, make it. If going home to your hometown for the weekend keeps coming to mind, go. Our inner voice is always very much aware of the things we need most to stabilize our intellect and, too often, societies (especially New Yorkers) discount that inner voice. We laugh at the Snuggie^{TM -} like I did. However, experts claim there is value to these things.

In a chaotic legal market like we are experiencing today, it is unrealistic to believe that one can spend 10-14 hours at work, come home and listen to the news, and then sleep restfully at night. It is also unrealistic to think that on top of all this, we should be scaling back on the small items that bring ''normalcy'' to a day, like a $4 cup of Joe, or new Asics running shoes, or the Snuggie^TM, if that brings you comfort. It may just be that 10 minutes with these items put us in the right frame of mind for the day. Who am I to say that is not the case?

Thus, in simple terms, Snuggie^TM sales are through the roof because the Snuggie^TM is serving some sort of comfort purpose today, and we should not overlook its benefit. However, is there something more here? Is there an end lesson here that I am missing?

Maybe it is this: Psychologists will tell you that people often overlook the motivation behind their attraction to comfort items during times of stress and such items' value to their lives. However, it is exactly these small, rather than large, improvements which often serve to dig oneself out of a hole faster. Could the Snuggie^TM be seen as a small, deliberate step or even a small improvement on the way to a more important goal? Maybe. Looking at things this way, the Snuggie^TM can be seen as a means to an end . . . not unlike a runner who needs a long run to clear his/her head when making tough decisions. Wrapping oneself in the Snuggie^TM could be just what the doctor ordered. Obviously, this is a simplistic view in order to better understand the popularity of the Snuggie^TM and the reason why so many people (attorneys) have been mentioning this fleecy fantasy to me.

From a professional standpoint, I can tell you that candidates often overlook the small improvements that they can make to help them get through a crisis in favor of fixing things all at once which, truth be told, is impossible. This is something that lawyers tend to do; they focus on finding the immediate fix so as to exert much needed control over a situation and FIX IT. However, this isn't the frame of mind that is going to get you where you need to go right now. Instead, it is those small, deliberate steps toward a goal that offer greater reward and more certain benefit.

A recent blog called this concept the ''Torpedo Principle''⁴ which dictates that ''the way people change and improve operates the way a torpedo does when it's aimed at a mark. The torpedo doesn't go straight from Point A to Point B, but rather it makes little errors throughout its trajectory, ever self-correcting as it gets where it's headed.''

Personally, I've never been a big fan of small moves and related small fixes. I much prefer major moves toward correction and immediate resolution. However, reading further into the Torpedo Principle, I have to admit that there is some value to taking small steps every day in the right direction and self-correcting as you go. In the chaotic legal market that we are experiencing today, I am seeing a large number of candidates burning out quickly in their quest to find a new job because their usual protocol of sending out resumes is not yielding the rate of positive responses that they are used to. When the usual thing that works in a time of crisis does not work anymore, it IS time to re-assess its value and move toward something better. It's not just about throwing seeds on the soil and reaping a harvest in the fall. Today, you have to pick the right seeds, find fertilized soil, throw those seeds on, water them daily, and pray for a harvest. A lot of small moves toward a bigger goal - and a lot of self-correcting and readjusting (for weather changes and otherwise) along the way.

Thinking about the Snuggie^TM in this light, I realized that while it may begin with the Snuggie^TM or some other basic item that gives you comfort today, that purchase may just rejuvenate you enough to cause you to modify your resume, pick up the New York Law Journal, call a recruiter, or run through Craigslist (through which a friend of mine just found a counsel position). You may then find yourself sending out a resume or two, making plans for a drink to network a little more this week, or get in touch with an old professor in Chicago whom you heard is looking for a researcher.

Whatever it is, we should not underestimate the value of making small, deliberate steps each day (right or wrong) toward a larger goal - and self-adjusting where necessary along the way. It's not the typical way that lawyers like to do things, but it certainly is something that experts support in times of crisis as a faster means to an end. Lifting the fog of uncertainty may start with a cup of tea (or bottle of beer) wrapped in The Snuggie^TM and end with a new job or a better perspective on your current position.

1. Ad featured on www.urbandaddy.com/nyc/weekender/2236/The_Weekender_ New_York_City_NYC_UrbanDaddy
2. ''The Snuggie: A Comforting Solution for Hard Times,'' Jan. 25, 2009, by Jennifer Gish and Kristi L. Gustafson, Albany Times Union.
3. Id.
4. The Torpedo Principle, by Victoria Moran, Feb. 16, 2009, http://blog.beliefnet.com/yourcharmedlife, quoting Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Matz, M.D.


About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.