Miss my most recent episode of ‪@AlderTalk‬? Check it out here: https://youtu.be/WCp9p3m1pk0?si=RNPwU... watch video on watch page
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Weekends test your discipline more than weekdays ever will.
During the week, structure keeps you accountable — meetings, deadlines, routines. But on weekends, no one’s watching. That’s when discipline turns into character.
You don’t have to grind nonstop — rest is part of success. But there’s a big difference between resting with intention and checking out completely.
The people who reach their goals don’t let two days erase five. They rest, recharge, and still move the ball forward.
Discipline isn’t about doing everything perfectly — it’s about keeping your promise to yourself, even when no one would notice if you didn’t.
#personalgrowth #success #discipline
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The secret to momentum isn’t motivation — it’s routine. Motivation comes and goes, but a routine keeps you moving forward whether you feel like it or not.
I’ve seen it in the courtroom and in life: the people who get ahead are the ones who stick to the small daily habits long after the excitement wears off. Routines create structure. Structure creates consistency. And consistency is what wins.
Don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Build a routine, stick to it, and let the results compound over time.
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Most people think you need billboards, TV ads, or a massive budget to build a law practice.
Chris Montes de Oca proved otherwise.
He started with no clients, no ads, and no connections—just grit, gratitude, and a willingness to outwork everyone else. Nearly two decades later, he’s resolved cases worth tens of millions, including a recent $45 million settlement.
In this AlderTalk episode, Chris and I talk about:
👉 How to grow a practice from zero through relationships and sweat equity
👉 Why trial experience (even in criminal defense) is the best training ground
👉 The mindset shifts that help lawyers handle pressure, setbacks, and big moments
👉 The role gratitude and resilience play in both practice and life
Chris’s journey is proof that small, consistent actions over time build the foundation for extraordinary results.
Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/LR6972wSneE
watch video on watch page
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I used to think I’d never be a “routine guy.” As a trial lawyer and business owner, my days were unpredictable—late nights prepping cases, early mornings in court, constant fires to put out. For years, I told myself a routine just wasn’t possible. But the truth is, it wasn’t about finding the perfect system—it was about practicing small, consistent habits until they stuck.
Most people overcomplicate routines. They picture a perfectly scheduled day with military precision—wake up at 5am, meditate, run 6 miles, read 3 chapters, cold plunge, eat kale. Then they burn out in a week.
Here’s the truth: the best routines are just good habits stacked together. Consistency beats complexity every time.
If you’re struggling to build one, don’t overthink it. Start with one small thing you can actually stick to. Do it every day until it’s automatic, then add another. Over time, those little habits compound into a routine that feels effortless.
A few simple places to start:
1. Drink a glass of water right when you wake up.
2. Walk for 10 minutes before you check your phone.
3. Write down one thing you’re grateful for.
4. Set a bedtime alarm so you don’t scroll the night away.
None of these will change your life overnight. But strung together, they will. That’s how routines are built—one small, repeatable action at a time.
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Marcus Aurelius said, “Everything is born from change.” He was right. Change isn’t something to fight against—it’s where growth, strength, and clarity come from.
Without change, we stay stuck. The first trial I ever took on was terrifying, but it made me a better lawyer and a stronger person. Growth only happens when you step outside the comfort zone.
Change also opens doors. A job loss can become the start of a business. A setback in court can point you toward a new strategy. What feels like an ending often turns into an opportunity.
And with every change we survive, we get tougher. Farmers know this—they adapt to every season, and that resilience carries them forward.
Change also strips life down to what matters. Moving cities, losing people, shifting careers—it shows you who’s truly with you and what’s truly important.
The truth is, change is the natural flow of life. Seasons turn, tides shift, people evolve. Fighting it only wears you out. But if you lean into it, you’ll find peace—and a stronger version of yourself on the other side.
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Mondays aren’t the enemy—they’re the launchpad. A strong week doesn’t happen by accident; it starts with the small things you do on repeat. Routines are what carry you when motivation fades. Whether it’s your morning workout, planning your cases, or just setting your priorities before the noise hits—stick to it. Show up for your routine, and it’ll show up for you.
Who agrees? đź‘€
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We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of something hard—whether it’s work, fitness, or life—and your brain fires off the line: “I can’t do this.”
It feels final. Permanent. Like a wall you can’t get past.
But most of the time, it’s not that you can’t—it’s that you’re just having trouble. And that’s a big difference.
“I can’t” shuts the door. It leaves you nowhere to go.
“I’m having trouble” keeps the door open. It’s honest, but it leaves room for growth. One signals defeat, the other signals a challenge.
I’ll give you an example. Years ago, I had a case that felt overwhelming. There were boxes of evidence, expert witnesses stacked against us, and a mountain of pressure. More than once, that thought crept in—“I can’t win this one.”
But the truth was, I wasn’t incapable. I was just having trouble finding the right angle. Once I reframed it, I stopped beating myself up and started asking better questions. Step by step, witness by witness, we found the cracks. And we won.
That shift—from “I can’t” to “I’m having trouble”—has saved me more times than I can count, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Think about it:
In fitness, “I can’t run a mile” becomes “I’m having trouble running a mile right now.” That mindset allows for practice, progress, and patience.
At work, “I can’t handle this project” turns into “I’m having trouble with this part, but I can look for support or try a new approach.” Now there’s a path forward.
In personal growth, “I can’t change” becomes “I’m having trouble changing, but I’m working at it.” It acknowledges the struggle without ending the story.
Words matter. “Can’t” sounds like failure. “Having trouble” sounds like a challenge—and challenges can be overcome.
So here’s how you put this into practice:
Catch yourself when you say “I can’t.”
Reframe it to “I’m having trouble.”
Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can do to make this easier?” Break it into steps. Ask for help. Keep moving.
The truth is, most of us are capable of far more than we give ourselves credit for. It’s not that we can’t. It’s that we hit friction, resistance, or difficulty—and we mistake that for the end of the road.
But friction is part of growth. Trouble is part of learning. Struggle is part of progress.
“I can’t” is where you quit.
“I’m just having trouble” is where you grow.
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"A deposition is where you show preparation, control the room, and get the answers you need to move your case forward. It’s not about talking more — it’s about asking the right questions and letting the witness fill the silence."
Watch my latest here: https://youtu.be/U7Ke1fKdsfk?si=hkpEG...
watch video on watch page
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What’s the hardest habit to stay consistent with? 👀👇
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A Louisiana rancher & California lawyer 🤠⚖️ Michael Alder is owner and Senior Trial Attorney at AlderLaw, a leading Los Angeles firm that represents plaintiffs in personal injury, toxic torts and employment litigation cases.
On YouTube, Mike shares insights from 30+ years of experience as a trial lawyer — from conducting depositions to mastering closing arguments and more. Mike also shares motivational insights about business, entrepreneurship, relationships, habit-building, and more 🚀
Check out Aldertalk's FREE Legal Resources at aldertalk.com/resources
#lawyer #law #attorney #personalinjury #legal #motivation
17 August 2020