You made it…now what?

The managing partner left her office and the smile and excitement quickly turned to “Oh sh*t…I actually did it. Now what?”Angela had been focused on the same goal since the day she started working – to make partner. It had been engrained in her for so long, she was stumped by the shift in her reaction. She was excited and then the worry set in.What do you do when you have been focused on reaching one goal for so long and then you reach it? It can be exciting, anticlimactic, scary, celebratory, and everything in between. Training for a marathon, planning a wedding, applying to graduate school all involves the same intense focus. And then you reach the finish line.Becoming partner is well worth a celebration. And yet most people feel conflicting reactions and stresses. And as with most promotions, what got you’re here is not going to keep you here.What can you do about it?Your Confidence. Your skills got you to where you are. I’ll guess you have spent over a decade building your technical skills. Of course, you will want to continue building them. Remind yourself of what you do know. Where are you an expert? (Not necessarily the world’s leading expert, but rather a well-versed, knowledgeable expert.) You would not have been named partner if the leaders at your firm didn’t believe you had the expertise to be there. They believe in your potential to build a book of business that will benefit you, as well as the firm. Believe them. Don’t let that voice in your head reduce your confidence.Belong. You belong where you are. It is an adjustment – give yourself time. It’s a change of mindset. What does the mindset of being partner look like for you? What is that pre-game talk you need to give yourself before entering difficult conversations, challenging situations or clients? What do you need to remind yourself of in those moments, now that you’re partner? What are the expected behaviors of a partner at your firm? How can you bring your best qualities to that definition so that you are reaching the your peak of your own definition of success?Progress. Those who were your bosses are now your peers. And those who were your peers may now receive direction and work from you. It can be awkward for everyone, and you just need time to adjust. If you have been marketing with a peer, to practice networking and building your name, now you need to market with those who compliment your skill set rather than duplicate.This time in your career is one of an adjustment. You may now be required to find more of your own work. Make sure you can answer the following:Clients. Who is your ideal client? (The answer is not anyone with a pulse) What solutions do you provide them? What is the kind of work you enjoy doing?Networking. What professional organizations will allow you to build relationships with key decision makers? Don’t spread yourself too thin. Try out a few organizations, and then focus on two that will allow you to build relationships with influential people in your industry. You’re better off going deeper with two organizations than attending one or two events with many.Expectations. You probably know the metrics (originations, billable hours, realizations, etc.) you are expected to reach as a new partner. What else does the management committee or practice group leads expect of you? This may be information that comes out of several conversations, as it is a hard question to answer.Leadership. How are you influencing those around you? Are you a member of a committee? Where are opportunities to volunteer in a leadership role or sit on the board? Perhaps you already sit on a board; how are you developing those relationships further?A scary and exciting time in your career – yes. Take the reins and make this key turning point what you want. Remember, this is an opportunity not an obligation. You get to be partner. Don’t allow your fears to dominate you. Take action.