Analog Wisdom In A Digital World (The Friday Ficks S5 E32)

The number 8 has been both kind and cruel to me - my youth baseball number, yes, but also the number of consecutive strikeouts I once had in a single doubleheader.

But 37 years ago today, on August 8, 1988, the number 8 became something more: 8/8/88 marked my first day in the private practice of law.

I had just joined a small firm and was fortunate to be surrounded by exceptional mentors.

One, Steve Anderson, showed me the business side of the career - how relationships drive results, why follow-through matters, how to bill accurately and on time, collect with grace, and how you treat administrative staff as colleagues, not subordinates.

Jack Fornaciari, a fierce but fair trial lawyer from DC, showed me how to navigate in a courtroom. One piece of advice from Jack, seemingly silly at first blush, has stuck with me to this day: “Always have a calendar ready in court.” He meant it literally. When scheduling the next step in any high stakes situation, you need to be ready.

Back then, before iPhones, Jack always carried a small pocket calendar, and he urged me to do the same. I still carry one - yes, even in 2025. That little analog backup has saved me more than once when my tech failed. I won’t give it up.

If you’re a mentee, listen more than you speak. Even if something seems “old-school,” there’s usually wisdom behind it. Trust your mentor’s guidance. Experience carries lessons that don't always reveal themselves right away.

If you’re a mentor, don’t underestimate the seeds you’re planting. Your job as a leader is to lift as you climb. What seems like a small gesture today could shape someone’s entire career. Steve eventually became my law partner, and both he and Jack remain good friends. They helped shape the lawyer - and person - I became.

And yes, carry the calendar.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl