How to Achieve MORE (by doing LESS)
TWO things that are critical to your success: delegation and protecting your brand. These may seem like separate topics, but in reality, they are intricately linked. Both require you to step into your power, embrace your zone of genius, and let go of the things that aren’t serving your ultimate goals.
The Importance of Delegation
If you’re a female lawyer, entrepreneur, or a multitasking mom juggling it all, the word "delegation" might make you cringe. Trust me—I’ve been there. Many of us are micromanagers, wanting to control every little detail in our lives and businesses. But here’s the truth: you can’t do it all. And more importantly, you shouldn’t do it all.
In this week’s episode of the Powerhouse Lawyers Podcast, I chatted with Holly McFall and Melissa Jeda, co-founders of SecureMark Legal, and we talked about why delegation is a game-changer for successful lawyers and business owners. The reality is, trying to do everything on your own is a surefire way to burn out—and fast. To build a life and career that truly works for you, you need to embrace the art of delegation.
A key takeaway that I loved? Delegation is about identifying your zone of genius—where you shine the most—and empowering others to handle the areas where they excel [i.e. the ones not in your zone of genius]. Whether it’s hiring a virtual assistant, using systems like automated scheduling, or partnering with specialists like trademark attorneys, you free up time to focus on what truly matters to you and your business.
Brand Protection is Non-Negotiable
Now, let’s talk about something equally crucial: brand protection. If you’re building a business, particularly in the legal field, protecting your intellectual property is not something you can afford to ignore. One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that they’ll "figure it out later." But when it comes to trademarks, copyrights, and protecting your brand, later is often too late.
Melissa and Holly specialize in brand protection for businesses, and they reminded us why it’s so important to ensure that your business assets—your name, images, logos, and content—are properly protected. They shared a cautionary tale about a local food truck that thought it was "too small" to matter. A positive Google review led to an infringement notice because another business owned the trademark to the name. The legal and financial fallout was significant.
Moral of the story?
Protect your brand, and do it early. Ensure that everything—from your name to your website images—belongs to you legally, or you risk facing costly consequences down the line. Don’t wait until you’re in hot water to take action. Just like you’d plan the financials or logistics for your business, trademarking and securing your intellectual property needs to be a priority.
Why It Matters for Women in Law
As women in law and business, we’re often faced with balancing work, life, and the pressures of being everything to everyone. Whether you’re running your own law firm, balancing motherhood with a legal career, or starting a side hustle, the principles of delegation and brand protection are critical.
You don’t have to wear all the hats at once. By learning to delegate and leaning into the areas where you’re strongest, you’re not only saving time—you’re creating space for growth and success. And while you’re busy building that success, protecting what you’re creating is equally important. You’ve worked too hard to risk losing it over a missed trademark filing or a copyright issue.
What are Some Actionable Steps You Can Take Today?
1. Audit your tasks: What are you doing right now that you could delegate to someone else? Identify at least one area where you could use help—whether it’s administrative tasks, social media management, or brand protection—and find the right person or system to handle it.
2. Secure your brand: Have you trademarked your business name? Do you own the images and content on your website? If not, now is the time to consult with a professional. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
3. Embrace your zone of genius: Focus on what you do best. If legal strategy or client advocacy is where you excel, stay in that lane and let others handle the rest.
4. Create systems: Whether it’s automating your calendar or setting up regular check-ins with your team, create systems that allow for seamless delegation without micromanaging.
As we continue to grow as professionals and entrepreneurs, these are lessons we must take to heart.
You don’t have to do it all alone, and you absolutely need to protect the business and brand you’ve worked so hard to build.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, embracing these strategies will help you grow, scale, and thrive.
Until next time, keep building, keep protecting, and keep stepping into your power.
Listen to the FULL EPISODE: https://powerhouselawyers.transistor.fm/
About the Author: Erin, founder of Powerhouse Lawyers, is passionate about creating spaces where women lawyers feel empowered to create lives and careers they love. Through her podcast, retreats, and coaching programs, she is dedicated to helping female attorneys connect, collaborate, and elevate each other in their journeys. Connect with her here.
Contact SecureMark Legal:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/securemark-legal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/securemark_legal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/securemarklegal/
Connect with Holly McFall:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/
Connect with Melissa Jeda
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jeda-29108813b/
