27+ Years Helping Lawyers Build for Life After Law — Without Sacrificing Today | Clarity • Intention • Legacy | Founder, The Wealthy Lawyer

LET’S BE HONEST.
Law school likely didn’t teach you much about personal finance.

But then you’re thrust into a demanding career — often with a ton of student debt — and suddenly you have a second job:
👉 Managing your money.

Whether you're in your first year of practice or a senior partner, you’re busy building your practice and keeping clients happy.

That leaves little time (or energy) for the things you actually enjoy — time with family, travel, hobbies… let alone planning for your financial future.

And honestly?

Most of the lawyers I speak with have spent more time planning their next vacation than protecting the lifestyle they've worked so hard to build.


That’s where we come in.

Using our Wealthy Lawyer™ Program, we take the guesswork out of financial planning.

We help you:
✅ Protect your family and income from the unexpected
✅ Build wealth intentionally
✅ Prepare for Life After Law


Our clients typically reach out when they:

• Are worried about how their family would cope if they couldn’t work
• Don’t know whether to save or pay down debt
• Feel behind, despite earning well
• Know they need a plan — but don’t know where to start
• Realize they can’t do it all alone — and want trusted guidance


What they’re tired of:

• Being the sole/primary income earner without a backup plan
• Wondering if they’d need to change their lifestyle if a family member got sick
• Stressing about whether they’re saving enough for retirement
• Not knowing how to leave a legacy for their kids or grandkids


After just a few months in the Wealthy Lawyer process, our clients tell us they feel more:

✅ Confident about hitting their financial and lifestyle goals
✅ Prepared to face unexpected life events
✅ Assured that their spouse and family won’t be financially stressed
✅ Clear about the legacy they’re leaving behind


You’re in the business of law — not financial planning.
Let us take the worry off your plate so you can focus on what matters most…

Like that next vacation.

📩 Ready to take control of your financial future?
Let’s connect for a Virtual Coffee Chat —  no pressure, just a conversation

Jeffery M. Lamont

Life hack:

Build a life with a partner who, even if you were both exhausted and broke, you’d still want beside you on the couch eating takeout.


👉 What is the last movie you and your partner in crime watched on a night in?


────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor who helps lawyers build a financial life that supports the moments (and the people) that matter most.

Helping Lawyers Build for Life After Law — Without Sacrificing Today | Founder, The Wealthy Lawyer

Most people think they don’t need insurance…
until life proves them wrong.

That's what I thought at 23.

Six weeks in a hospital changed that.

I’d just come back from playing pro baseball in Europe.
Best shape of my life.

Nothing could touch me…
or so I thought.

Then I got seriously ill.
Six weeks hospitalized.
Three months off work.

It was a wake-up call I never expected.

And it taught me something I’ll never forget:

Life is unpredictable.
And when things flip, they flip fast.

So here’s the real question:

If something unexpected happened tomorrow, do you have a plan to protect yourself and the people who rely on you?

Here’s the blind spot most people never see until it’s too late:
insurance isn’t about fear...
it’s about keeping your life stable when everything else feels shaky.

Here are three ways it does that:

➡️ Life Insurance:
Gives your loved ones financial stability — mortgages, debts, daily expenses covered.

➡️ Disability Insurance:
Replaces your income so your lifestyle doesn’t have to change if you can’t work.

➡️ Critical Illness Insurance:
Provides a lump sum so you can cover medical costs and focus on recovery, not money.

The best time to get insurance?
It’s when you’re young and healthy.

It’s more affordable…
and it guarantees you’re protected no matter what life throws at you.

Don’t wait for a wake-up call like I did.
 
👉 What’s one thing you thought was unnecessary when you were younger that makes a lot more sense now?

Share below 👇
 
────
I’m Jeffery, the wealth advisor who helps lawyers build, protect, and transition their wealth.

☕ If you ever want to talk through your options, I’m always happy to grab a quick virtual coffee.

No pressure. No pitch. Just clarity.

Three years ago, I started on LinkedIn…

And three years ago, I was ready to quit…

I was posting Googleable facts.
Zero personality.
Generic advice.
Safe takes.

And it showed.

That was, until I met Holly Crawshaw Joyner
She called me out…
then helped me find MY voice.

That was a little over year ago.

Since then, things shifted in a way I never expected.
Here’s the difference: 2023 vs 2025 (to date).

📈 Impressions: 100K → 2.2 Million
📈 Engagement rate: 1.1% → 5.1%
📈 Comments: 125 → 16,600

This year I’ve had 6 posts get more impressions — individually — than all of 2023.

But the numbers aren’t the part I’m most proud of.

It’s this:

→ People messaging me saying “It felt like you were talking directly to me.”
→ Real conversations with lawyers and professionals who feel seen — not sold to.
→ And the part I never saw coming: actual friendships with people in parts of the world I never imagined I’d be connected to.

If you’d told me three years ago that LinkedIn would introduce me to people I genuinely care about — mentors, peers, friends — I probably would’ve laughed.

But it has.
And it’s one of the best parts of this whole thing.

This reality is, this stopped being “marketing” a long time ago.
Now, it’s turned into a mission.

A mission to help people build wealth with more clarity…
less noise…
less shame…
and a whole lot less stress.

If you’ve been reading, commenting, DM’ing, supporting, or even just quietly lurking…
thank you 🙏

You helped me turn something small and uncertain
into something meaningful.

And if you’re still in the early stages of your own thing?
Stay with it.

Most good things don’t look good at the beginning.
But they become good because you stayed.


 👉 what’s one surprise you’ve experienced as a result of being on LinkedIn?


────
I’m Jeffery. I help professionals build wealth intentionally so they can live with more freedom and peace.

If you want more clarity heading into 2026, let’s grab a Virtual Coffee ☕

Find the “Become a Wealthy Lawyer” link in my profile.

I write your LinkedIn™ posts + your books || Top 20 LinkedIn™ Expert [Favikon, 2025] || New York Times + USA Today Bestseller

The real flex isn’t making $1M a year.

It’s making $1M a year without:

→ Missing every family milestone
→ Sacrificing your health
→ Living life on autopilot

That’s the real flex.

Jeffery M Lamont

I thought I understood gratitude… until one day changed everything.

As we head into American Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about what gratitude actually is.

It’s not comfort.
It’s not ease.
It’s not the good years.

It’s perspective.

I didn’t understand that until 2019.

That was the year I lost my mom
and our house flooded
on the very same day.

One morning changed everything.
And it marked the start of one of the hardest chapters of my life.

But it’s incredible what living in a hotel with your wife, three kids, and a dog will teach you.

In the middle of the chaos, I found myself grateful
not for what was happening… but for what I still had.
My family.
Our safety.
And the lessons my mom left behind.

That’s when it finally clicked:

Gratitude isn’t a reaction to things going right.
It’s the anchor that gets you through what isn’t.

So today, I’m grateful for:

• Quiet mornings with Colleen and the kids (even if the house is a little quieter these days)
• Family, baseball, and the memories that outlast the seasons
• Clients who trust me to help them simplify and protect what they’ve built
• And this community — the conversations, connection, and support

Thanksgiving is a time to hit the pause button.
A moment to look around and realize that even in the mess…
there’s still so much to be thankful for.

From my family to all my American friends — Happy Thanksgiving.


🦃Who or what are you grateful for this week — even if life isn’t perfect right now?


📸 Our family’s tradition of writing what we’re grateful for on pumpkins. I’ve included a photo with one of my mom’s final inscriptions.

Simple. Honest. Lasting.

You earn $330,000 and still feel broke.  Here's why...


Meet a client of mine who faced this exact challenge.

→ 34
→ newly engaged
→ student debt finally paid off
→ $285k annual salary
→ $45k-ish annual bonus

Despite his earnings, he was struggling to plan for his future.

He had three main goals:

 1. Save for the wedding
 2. Buy their first home
 3. Retire early-ish

Here's the kicker:

His bonus isn't always guaranteed.

That uncertainty made long-term financial decisions more difficult to make and brought anxiety to him.

 When he came to us, he had:

 → $14,000 in his savings account
 → $27,000 in his TFSA
 → $42,000 in his RRSP

I'd call this a good start for where he's at, but he felt unsure how to manage his finances most effectively each year.

For further context…

He's finding practicing law to be a grind.

Despite being a high performer, the demanding nature of BigLaw has made early retirement a goal of his.


 Here’s what we did:

 → Covered him and his (soon to be) fiancée with the proper insurances in case something happens to him.

 → Created a financial plan to make his bonus work for him, treating it as the game-changer it is when/if it comes next Feb.

→ Implement a cash flow management system that will help ensure he lives comfortably on his salary alone.

→ While not expected to pay for it all, he and his fiancée want to contribute to the wedding, so we upped their short-term savings

→ We've set up FHSA accounts for his fiancée and him so they can take advantage of that opportunity.

The result?

→ As they prepare to start their new life together, both he and his fiancée have peace of mind with the various insurances (life and Critical Illness) we put in place.

→ He feels much more comfortable with his month-to-month cash flow

→ They will have enough saved for what they feel should be their share of the wedding annnnnnd a down-payment on a condo.

→ His retirement plan projects he can retire by 58 (provided he maintains his savings percentages)

We’re little more than a year into his journey with us.

He's told me he already feels more in control and less anxious about his financial future.

Hearing the relief in his voice when we chat is priceless.

It's incredible what a customized financial plan, and his taking action, can do.

No more sleepless nights worrying about where his money is going.

Instead, he now has a clear path to achieving the life he desires.



👉If your money could talk, what do you think it would say about you?👇


────
I'm Jeffery, the wealth advisor helping lawyers take control of their finances and achieve their biggest goals.

🔗 Let’s connect for a Virtual Coffee Chat ☕️ to create a clear path toward your financial future—no more sleepless nights, just a plan that works.

No pitch.  No pressure.  Just clarity

If you feel behind at 41, you’re in good company...

Your income rises quietly…
and then, your lifestyle outruns intention even faster.

On my way home from the F1 in Austin a few weeks ago, I ended up in one of those easy airport conversations that starts as small talk… 
then goes a little deeper than you expect.

I was in the lounge half-working when the guy next to me noticed my F1 bag and said he was there for the race too.

We did the usual recap:
the heat, the crowds, the traffic.

He said he was heading home to NYC.
I said I was making my way back to Toronto.

Then he asked what I did.

I gave him the short version:
I help lawyers simplify their financial lives so money feels less chaotic and more intentional.

He nodded and said:

“Well… I practice at [he named a Top100 firm.]”

That opened the door.

We talked about the pace of practice, the hours, the pressure…
and how hard it is to juggle time and money when both feel scarce.

Then he hit me with something I wasn't expecting:

“This is my first full year as an Equity Partner. Still not making a ton yet, but definitely more than I ever thought I’d be making at 41.”

He paused, then admitted:

“And the worst part is… I still can’t get ahead. I thought by now I would be. But I'm not.”

No blown-out budget.
No crisis.

Just the quiet lifestyle upgrades that sneak in when income rises:

• a nicer hotel
• a faster flight home
• Paddock tickets because “why not?”
• and a handful of conveniences that feel harmless in the moment…

But they add up fast.

Then he said the line most lawyers eventually reach:

“I don’t think mine is a money issue…"

And he’s probably right.

Most lawyers don’t run out of money.
They just let lifestyle outrun the planning that’s supposed to support it.

Which is why tomorrow’s 1% Shift is all about timing…
and the tiny change that helps you finally feel ahead before life expands — not after.

More tomorrow.

☕ If you’ve ever hit that “I’m earning more… so why doesn’t it feel like it?” moment, let’s grab a Virtual Coffee.

You’re not the only one — and clarity comes fast once you have a structure.

Most lawyers don’t run out of money…
They just let their lifestyle outrun their structure.

And a conversation I had recently brought it right back into focus.

The partner I met wasn’t being reckless.
No blown-out budget.
No splurges.
No crisis.

Just the same quiet drift I see every single week:

A nicer hotel.
A quicker flight home.
Paddock tickets because “we might as well.”
Conveniences that feel harmless in the moment… and heavy later.

Then he said the line almost every lawyer eventually reaches:

“I’m earning more than I ever imagined…
but I still can’t get ahead. I thought by now I would be. But I’m not.”

And he said it quietly...
the way people talk when they’re tired of carrying it.

Here’s where most people get it wrong:

It’s not a money issue.
It’s a timing issue.

He wasn’t saving too little.
He was saving what was left after living life the way he wanted.
And that will always feel like you’re chasing something that keeps moving.

Savings before lifestyle?
That’s when things finally flip in your favour.

THE 1% SHIFT FOR TODAY

Set up one automatic transfer (15–20% of your net pay) that leaves your account the same day you get paid.

Put it in a TFSA, your RRSP, or a non-registered account
It doesn’t really matter.
The magic is in the automation.

When your money has a job,
your stress drops,
your decisions get cleaner,
and your lifestyle stops silently stealing your progress.

Tiny shift.
HUGE difference.

If you’ve ever asked yourself why you’re not ahead yet…
you’re not alone.

If you want the exact setup I walk clients through,
DM SHIFT.

No pitch.  No pressure.  Just clarity — and the feeling of finally getting ahead again.

Some weeks don’t hit you until Sunday night...

Not because anything dramatic happened.

But because you spent a week managing work, family, pressure, expectations…
and all the little things no one notices unless they’re the ones carrying them.

By the time Sunday night rolls around, the weight finally shows up.

If that’s you tonight, you’re not alone.

Here’s what I remind myself before a new week starts:

Most of us underestimate how much we're carrying…
until we stop long enough to feel it.

Progress rarely feels fast.
Most of the time it’s quiet, steady… almost unremarkable.

And here’s the part we forget:
Those quiet days —
the ones where you just keep showing up —
they’re the ones that move you forward.

Take the quiet win.
You handled more than you realize…
and you’re still here.

Let tonight be the reset.
Not the end of a long week...
but the chance to set yourself up for an even stronger one.


How do I get myself ready?
I keep it simple:

Three “result priorities” — the three things that, if I do nothing else, will make it a great week.

Three “activity priorities” — the actions that help me hit those results and move me toward my year-end goals.

Six lines.
Ten minutes.
A calmer Monday.

Tomorrow’s yours to set the tone.

Walk into it with clarity, conviction,
and a refueled tank, ready to win the week.


👉 What is one thing you want to accomplish this week to make it a real winner?


If financial clarity is something you want more of as we head into 2026, grab a quick Virtual Coffee using the link in my profile.

Protect your income first…
Everything else depends on it

If you read my post from yesterday,
you saw how quickly life can flip…
and how painful it is to discover you’re underinsured at a time you need it most.

Every lawyer wants to build wealth…
but almost no one starts by protecting the thing all else depends on:

Your ability to earn an income.

If that stops, everything downstream gets shaky fast.

And the cracks usually show up in the same places:

• Group disability that barely covers half the lifestyle
• No critical illness plan
• Life insurance that was “temporary”… a decade ago
• Partners assuming success = invincibility

Here’s your 1% Shift for today:

→ Action: Review your insurance — or ask an advisor to run a quick Insurance Audit.

That’s it.

One audit.
One hour.
Massive clarity.

You’ll know what’s locked in…
and what needs attention before life forces your hand.


💭 When did you buy your first insurance policy?


If you want a quick check-up,
DM “Audit” and I’ll walk you through it.


No pitch.  No pressure.  Just clarity.

There’s a moment I see all the time with lawyers.

It usually happens right after we walk through the numbers...
the real ones.

They exhale.
Their voice softens.
Their shoulders drop.

And they say some version of:

“I didn’t realize how much this was weighing on me.”

Not the savings.
Not the insurance.
Not the tax structure.

The uncertainty.

I saw it again this summer.

A 41-year-old partner I first had a Coffee Chat with a couple years ago.
Back then, he was DIY’ing through a robo-advisor and felt he was “doing fine.”

Then July hit.
And suddenly “fine” wasn’t fine anymore.

Cash flow felt tighter.
Taxes were starting to mount.
And the gap between what he thought he had and what he actually had started to widen.

That’s usually when clarity becomes non-negotiable.

Because optimism works…
until it suddenly doesn’t.

And when you replace,
“I hope everything is fine”
with
“I know exactly where I stand,”
something shifts.

The noise quiets.
The pressure eases.
You make decisions faster.
Your family feels more stable.
You feel a lot more like yourself.

That’s the real benefit of clarity.
Not the spreadsheets.
Not the projections.
Not the policies.

It’s the calm that shows up once you stop relying on hope...
and start relying on structure.

────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor lawyers call when “doing fine” stops feeling fine.

If you want the same kind of calm and clarity...
find the Become a Wealthy Lawyer link in my profile and let's sit talk.

No pressure.  No pitch.  Just clarity.

Most lawyers don’t have a money problem...
they have a “things won’t happen to me” problem.

Most lawyers I meet aren’t careless.
They’re just, shall we say...
optimistic.

• Optimistic that income will stay steady.
• Optimistic that health will hold.
• Optimistic that nothing unexpected will knock them sideways.

Until something does.

And that’s the moment
“I’ll get to it later”
turns into
“I should’ve done this sooner.”

Because it only takes one thing...
• one phone call
• one appointment
• one test result...
for “later” to become “too late.”

And here’s the part no one likes admitting:

Most lawyers aren’t reckless.
They're busy.
They’re overloaded.

And optimism is what fills the gaps they don’t have time to think about.

You don’t need paranoia.
don’t need perfection.

You just need to replace optimism with clarity.

Because the lawyers who feel calm?

They aren’t the ones earning the most.

They’re the ones who stopped assuming things would always stay the same.


👉 Does this sound at all familiar?

Funny how the right people show up at exactly the right time...

I just got off a long call with a group that’s become one of the best parts of my Wednesdays this past year.

Beyond the Apex — led by Anthony Vicino — has pushed me in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

It’s helped me get clearer on how Lamont Wealth Strategies and The Wealthy Lawyer Podcast can support lawyers at every stage…
from the final stretch of law school to partnership, firm-building, retirement, and life after law.

And with American Thanksgiving tomorrow, it felt right to pause and acknowledge how much this work — and the people in it — mean to me.

While I’m not sharing details yet, I can say this:

2026 will see me expand what I offer so more lawyers — in Canada, the U.S., and beyond — can get the clarity, structure, and support they deserve.

From protecting their families…
to building wealth intentionally…
to planning for retirement…
to creating legacies that outlive them.

I’m excited for what’s coming…
and grateful for everyone who’s been in my corner along the way.

So to my American friends…
Enjoy a meaningful holiday with friends and family, tomorrow, wherever you’re celebrating.


👉 What’s one thing you’re grateful for heading into tomorrow?


—
If you’re a lawyer wanting to simplify your financial world before the new year hits, let’s connect for a Virtual Coffee.

No pitch. No pressure. Just clarity.

Helping entrepreneurs build a business that maximizes their Return on Life. | ADHD is my superpower | Bestselling Author | Keynote Speaker | DM “COACH” if you’re ready to scale.

Lamont Wealth Strategies

The Wealthy Lawyer Podcast

Most lawyers don’t fear money…
They fear not doing it right.

I see it all the time.
That quiet moment when a lawyer stops mid-sentence, looks down for a second, and finally says:

“I make good money…
but I don’t actually know where it all goes.”

And here’s the part no one tells you:

• It’s rarely overspending.
• It’s rarely a discipline issue.
• It’s almost never “not caring.”

It’s the uncertainty.

The sense that you’re one step ahead in your career…
but half a step behind in saving and building.

The uncomfortable feeling that no one ever taught you how to manage money at this level…
and somehow you’re still expected to “just know.”

But here’s the truth:

Clarity doesn’t come from making more.
It comes from understanding the flow of what you already have.

Because almost every lawyer I work with has a similar pattern:

About 10% of their income goes unaccounted for.
Not stolen.
Not wasted.
Just… drifting.

A few quiet upgrades.
Some convenience purchases.
A busy month where “I’ll check it later” turns into later never happening…

And — POOF — and it’s gone!

So we walk through cash flow together.
We find the leaks.

Then we give that money a job going forward,
so it starts working as hard for you as you did for it.

And once that starts to click?

• Stress drops
• Confidence rises
• Life finally feels a little less chaotic

That’s when money finally feels like an ally…
not another pressure.


👉 Where does money feel the most unclear for you right now?
(I ask because your answer helps me shape posts that actually help.)

And if you’d rather sort this out with a guide, you can book a virtual coffee anytime through the“Become a Wealthy Lawyer” link in my profile.

You think everything is fine…
until life proves you wrong.

A few years ago, I sat across from a lawyer who’d been blindsided.

Brilliant woman.
Mother of two.
Partnership-track.
Income only going higher.

But her world changed overnight…
and what hit her hardest wasn’t the diagnosis.

It was the realization that nothing she had in place was actually built to fully protect her family.

Here’s what we found:
• Group disability that barely covered the mortgage
• Life insurance worth maybe two years of income
• No critical illness coverage
• A lifestyle built on today’s income… with no backup plan for tomorrow

And I’ll never forget when she looked up and said:

“I just assumed I’d get to it later.”

That sentence has stayed with me for years.

Because the truth is, most lawyers aren’t reckless…
they’re overwhelmed.

They’re building careers, raising kids, keeping the lights on…
and trusting that whatever they set up ten years ago is probably good enough.

Until it isn’t.

And when that day comes, the reaction is almost always the same:

A sigh.
A shake of the head.
And a quiet, painful…
“Why didn’t I look at this sooner?”

It wasn’t a massive mistake.
It was a 1% blind spot.
The kind that hides in plain sight until life forces it into focus.

Tomorrow’s first 1% Shift for Lawyers is exactly about this:

Why income protection comes first…
not tenth.
Why the foundation matters more than the shiny stuff.
Why one small adjustment can protect everything you’re working so hard to build.

More tomorrow.


💭 Do you know someone who’s had a heart attack, been diagnosed with cancer, or had something else pull them out of work unexpectedly?


☕ If you want to make sure your safety net is actually a net, let’s grab a Virtual Coffee.

What do you really get out of being on LinkedIn, anyway?

That was the question a friend threw at me recently.

Before I could even answer, they followed up with:
"Has it actually been good for business?"

I didn't realize the chat was turning into an interview.

Well… yes. I've met clients here. I've built partnerships here.

But truthfully? That's not the best part.

Connection. That's been the real win.

And I don't just mean clicking the "Connect" button.

I mean real conversations.
Shared experiences.
People I've never met in person who genuinely cheer me on...
and vice versa.

The best clients I work with?
They didn't come from a cold call or a sales pitch.
They came from conversations—real ones—where we connected first as people, then as professionals.

Recently, I had the chance to turn a couple of those online connections into real-life ones.

First was Patti Macdonald, founder of Fit Law LLP , who stopped in from Edmonton on her way to an east coast event.

Having spoken over Zoom and in the comments, sitting down in person felt like catching up with an old friend. We talked about life, LinkedIn, and building professional service businesses—great ideas, lots of laughs, and plenty of energy.

Then, during my trip to Austin for F1, I met Jess Sargus for coffee.

A lawyer turned MMA fighter turned business owner, Jess is a high-performance evangelist and keynote speaker who helps others unlock their inner badass. She also hosts The Legal Athlete  Podcast, where she bridges law, mindset, and performance.

We swapped stories about growth, balance, and how to get beyond your own self-doubt—with her sidekick, Paul Newman, joining us too.

Jess reminded me that high performance isn't about doing more—it's about getting clear on what matters. That hit different when you're building a business and trying to serve clients well.

Two incredible women I have the utmost respect for and am excited to call friends.

My only regret?
We forgot pictures.
But honestly, the best conversations don't need documentation…
they just need to happen again.

So as you scroll through here, remember...
behind every profile photo is a real person...
with a story worth hearing.

That's what makes LinkedIn special.

It's not just business. It's belonging.


💭 When was the last time you turned a LinkedIn connection into a real-world friendship? Tag them so we can all connect.


📸 here's Paul Newman… not quite as into the idea of LinkedIn coffee meetups... especially the ones that go long.

#KindnessAndDecency | Fit Law LLP | Founder | Changemaker | Leader | Innovator | Lawyer & Agent - Commercial Lending and Real Estate

Fit Law LLP

Self-Leadership & High-Performance Evangelist | Keynote Speaker | Certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach | Author of Fierce Agency™ (2026) | Ivy League-trained Lawyer, Undefeated MMA Fighter & Neuroscience Ninja

The Legal Athlete

Black Friday isn’t the danger…
Starting 2026 already behind — that’s the danger.

Every year, I see the same pattern:

Smart, thoughtful people walk into the holidays feeling excited and organized…
and walk into January shocked and already behind.

You worked all year to get ahead.
Don’t let one month quietly set you back.

Not because you’re reckless.
Not because you’re careless.

But because December is the one month where overspending feels “special,” “exceptional,” or “worth it.”

Until Blue Monday hits…
and that credit card bill shows up.

Don’t let the excitement of December’s gift-buying become January’s headache when you open that statement.

Because here’s what holiday overspending silently sabotages:

For most lawyers:
• Savings targets
• Debt repayment rhythm
• Investment contributions

For partners, it derails all of that plus:
• Corporate withdrawal strategy...
and with it, tax planning windows

So today, I encourage every client to do the same thing:

Before you buy anything, decide the number you won’t go past.
That top-line budget is the guardrail that protects next year’s goals.

A few simple rules help:

1. Set the ceiling first.
If you don’t pick the number, December will.

2. Use a spending calendar.
We overspend when all the decisions pile up at once — spread them out.

3. Stick to the list.
If it wasn’t on the list yesterday, it’s not suddenly a “deal.”

4. Decide what you’re not doing this year.
Impulse buys.
“Just in case” gifts.
Last-minute panic shopping.

The holidays feel better when the money part is calm.

You get to enjoy your people…
without waking up from this holiday shopping season with a full-blown January spending hangover.


Quick holiday question:
👉 Re-gifting — yes or no?
(Honesty encouraged. Judgement-free zone.)


────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor who wants to help you stay generous… and financially sane.

If you want help making sure 2025’s holiday spending doesn’t blow up your 2026 plan, let’s have a Virtual Coffee Chat.

📩 Send me a message or grab a spot through the link on my profile.

What’s old is new again.

For years, I had the print Globe & Mail delivered to the house.

Then someone convinced me to “go digital — it’s easier.”

Sure…
Great to have it on my iPad when I'm traveling and don't want to deal with carrying the paper...
but there was one problem:

No puzzles.

And as silly as it might sound, I missed my morning Sudoku and KenKen...
the quiet ritual that gets my brain firing before the day gets loud.

Sure, I was doing them on my iPad... sometimes, bit it just wasn't the same.

I prefer doing them pen in hand.

So this weekend, I went old school and restarted my print subscription.

Today was my first day back.

So, at 5:37am, I went downstairs...
got the paper off the porch...
made an iced coffee (still pretending it’s warm out)...
read through the Business section…
then hit my two favourite puzzles.
(Don’t @ me — crosswords and I have never gotten along.)

Why bring back something so simple?

Because it sharpens me.
It grounds me.
And it eases me into the morning just enough to think clearly before I jump into LinkedIn, and the client calls and problem-solving of the day.

I was a little rusty with them, but it felt good.
It felt familiar...
in a good way...
and as a reminder that sometimes the smallest rituals are all we need to get the day going right.


👉 What’s the thing you do every morning that gets you going?

It’s become almost cliché to talk about ‘1% improvements'...
but what the f*ck does that even mean?

Sure, “Get 1% better” sounds great…
but without direction?
It’s just another Instagram quote that disappears by Monday morning.

So for the next 5 weeks, I’m going to give you:

Small, clear, lawyer-focused shifts you can use immediately.

Shifts that will...
• Create clarity
• Lower financial stress
• Make decisions easier

One new shift every Tuesday.
One tiny action you can take that same day.

Nothing technical.
Nothing overwhelming.
Just the next right move.

See you Tuesday.
Let’s get after it.


💭 It’s Sunday night... how do you get ready for a killer week?


────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor who helps lawyers build financial clarity one small shift at a time.

☕ Want a head start?  Find the "Become a Wealthy Lawyer" link in my profile and let's talk.

Spend 30 minutes a week setting goals with your partner...
and you'll never argue about money surprises.

Talk. Plan. Align.

Next year?
Grow together.

Helping leaders create more bandwidth to grow engaged & resilient teams | Team Learning & Assessment Facilitator

The #1 leadership lesson I learned working for America’s Funniest Home Videos:

What not to do as a leader.

For 9 months, I answered calls, watered plants, picked up lunch, delivered scripts, monitored emails… & got yelled at almost daily.

“What did you do?!”
“What are you doing?”
“Why are you sitting there?”

Daily chaos. Mixed messages. Fear in the hallways.

I never knew what mood my boss would be in. 

Those Hollywood years were full of rejection, & taught me resilience, adaptability, & how to keep moving forward. 

Even then, I knew leadership could be better. That experience became the foundation for everything I’ve done since.

I went from chasing roles in Hollywood to leading in corporate. For the past 15 years, I’ve guided 100s of leaders & teams to cut through the noise, align efforts, & create systems that sustain performance without sacrificing results or wellbeing.

Today, I help executives rebuild capacity, strengthen trust, & lead high-performing teams through coaching, workshops, offsites, & keynotes.

And the impact shows in both the results & the relationships.

“𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺 & 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵.” -Val Cassano, Director Strategy

“𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘴 & 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘥.” -Jaime Moreno, CMMO

“𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘴 & 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴.” -Beth Coleman, Director Contracting

Leadership can be emotionally exhausting, especially when you’ve been thrown into it or asked to do more with less. I help you:
→ Simplify what’s overcomplicated
→ Strengthen communication & trust
→ Build systems that create space to think, lead, & perform 

Because leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most, & creating space to do what you love.

For me, that means hiking mountain trails & chasing adventure with my family.

If you’re ready to lead with more focus, less friction, & a team that performs at a higher level, let’s connect.

Send me a DM or schedule a free discovery call in my Featured section.

Jennifer Recla

14 years ago, I married my partner in adventure. 

I still remember so many small moments from that day.

The laughter, dancing, someone sitting on our leftover cake...

And because of one piece of advice I received:

Throughout the day, take tiny snapshots of the event. 

Not with a camera, but with your mind.

Pause.
Look around.
Capture a mental image of the moment.

So I did just that.

I took mental snapshots of the details.

Moments that could've been forgotten if I didn’t consciously hold on to them.

On the plane to our honeymoon, I reflected on those images, savoring every small, meaningful moment. 

And I still reflect on them fondly.

So I'm putting a twist on the traditional what-I'm-thankful-for post & leaning into capturing small moments.

The next few weeks will get chaotic for many of us. 

And for some, it may bring sad or frustrating moments.

But there will also be moments, big or small, that spark joy or gratitude.

Find those moments.

Pause.
Look around.
Capture a mental image.

Then, when you’re having a rough day at work or feeling overwhelmed, you can pull from your mental album to get through it.

What's one small moment you've paused to appreciate recently?

P.S. I hope you have a lovely week, however that may look for you.

Leading shouldn’t drain you | Helping executives rebuild capacity, strengthen trust, & lead high-performing teams | Leadership Coach & Trainer | Fun & Adventure Junkie

What my most humiliating experience in Hollywood taught me about leadership...

I was 21.
Dreams of a career in film. 
Working as a production assistant.

I went to an event led by a casting director.

At the start, he asked:
What are you all doing to make money while you audition?

I raised my hand. 
Not shyly (proudly).

(not sure where that overconfidence came from)

Me: I'm working at America's Funniest Home Videos. 

Him: Is that a 9-5, M-F schedule?

Me: Yes

Him: How do you go to auditions?

Me: Well, I just moved here. I haven't had any yet.

Him: Hmm...auditions happen 9-5, M-F. What happens if you get a call to audition? Can you step away from your work? 

Me: Uhhh...no. (gulp)

Him: How's that going to work? 

Me: Uhhh...not sure. I just needed to start bringing money in. 

Him: Well, what are you doing to get auditions?

Me: Meeting people in the industry. Going to events or dinners. 

Him: An industry person is taking you out to dinner? 

Me: Uhhh...sometimes.

Him (laughing): Honey, they're not gonna get you an audition. They're taking you to dinner for other reasons. 

(everyone laughed) 

Then he turned to the audience & used me as an example of what NOT to do.

Stomach dropped.
Heat rushing.
100 staring.
No escape. 

Thinking, "Oh, you silly, stupid girl."

During the break, I left to collect myself. 

Locked in a stall.
Deep breaths. 
No tears.

I straightened my shoulders & went back to the same seat. 

Front row.

I wasn't going to leave defeated.

That day taught me some valuable lessons:
-I needed to shift my "making it" approach
-I can survive shameful moments
-And how NOT to treat others

Leadership isn't about proving a point or showing someone they're wrong.

It's about helping people grow, even when it's uncomfortable.

You can be direct with feedback AND still lift someone up, not tear them down. 

What's a leadership lesson you learned the hard way?

P.S. This is my very first acting headshot. It was free & so NOT my style. 

P.P.S. This is the kind of balance I help leaders build: direct feedback, delivered with care. If you want to explore what that could look like for you, check out my Featured section to book a call.

It's Women's Entrepreneurship Day! 

Huge shoutout to the amazing women who've led the way for me & so many to leap ourselves.

One of those women is my favorite Jennifer in the world!

I remember her first day as a business owner. 

I was in my backyard at 10 am on a weekday.
(maternity leave)

I saw Jenn.

To make this dialogue easier to follow, I'll label us as J (no bangs) & J(bangs).

J (no bangs): What are you doing at home?
J (bangs): Oh, I quit my job.
J (no bangs): Uhhhh
J (bangs): I didn't tell you?! I started my own PR/marketing company with a colleague.
J (no bangs): Ahhhhhh! That's incredible.

Over the years, I've watched her build an amazing company.

And an even better work culture. 

It hasn't always been easy.

But she's put in the work.
She cares about leading well.

And it shows. 

That makes me so happy (as someone hugely invested in leadership & strong team culture). 

Here's to you, Jennifer McFerron Sloan!

Your journey inspired me to dive into entrepreneurship. 

You showed me what was possible.

Who inspired you to take a big leap in your career?

P.S. Happy Women's Entrepreneurship Day to so many of you. This world is a roller coaster. But I wouldn't choose another path. 

https://lnkd.in/guKF8naZ

No alternative text description for this image

Gratitude.

That’s what I’m feeling this Monday morning.

When you express gratitude, it boosts your:

✔️ Physical health
✔️ Relationships
✔️ Self-esteem
✔️ Patience
✔️ Focus

Just a few minutes a day thinking about what you’re grateful for can transform everyday experiences & improve well-being.

Today, I’m grateful for…

➡️ Rebooking an earlier flight & making it home smoothly after my original flight got canceled

➡️ Learning from powerful sessions on learning science, AI chatbots for role-playing, & reflection in learning

➡️ Exploring what we should stop, start, & continue doing in leader development

➡️ Digging into budget-friendly tools for design work with Bianca Woods  

➡️ A big reminder that growth mindset isn’t embedded in most orgs yet 

➡️ Reconnecting with friends like Eloise Littlejohns, Matt Gjertsen, James Gilchrist & meeting new ones like Leanne Glasser & Nilou Derakhshan 

➡️ Renewed inspiration to strengthen my focus on developing leaders & teams

All from an amazing experience at DevLearn Conference & Expo! 

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲?

P.S. What other benefits of gratitude do you experience?

P.P.S. Thank you #DevLearn for all you do for learning practitioners!

Good Morning from the DevLearn Conference & Expo!

After attending dozens of conferences over the years, here are my top tips:

-Bring a sweater 
(The venue is always freezing)

-Leave space in your suitcase
(For the swag!)

-Have 2-3 goals beforehand
(Information overload will happen if you aren’t focused)

-Wear comfortable shoes
(You’ll easily clock 20k steps a day)

-Make friends 
(Say hello to strangers & make plans to connect again in the future)

What are your top tips for attending a conference?

P.S. I got to hang with my friends Matt Gjertsen & James Gilchrist  last night. They shared their thoughts on the top leadership skills needed now (trust, communication, & speed), along with the importance of community. Thank you for a great discussion!

P.P.S. I’m literally walking & texting right now, on my way to the first keynote! (& I haven’t tripped…yet) 

#DevLearn

When people feel valued & heard, they give their best.

I once spent an entire evening communicating with my kids using only questions.

It was harder than I expected. 

I had to pause before answering.
Listen more deeply.
And resist the urge to solve everything (eek!).

By the end of the evening, my daughter & I had the best conversation about what friendship really means. 

I felt more connected to her.
And she gave me extra hugs. 

The next day, she asked me: 
"What questions do you have for me today?"

Too often, we jump in with answers.

Make assumptions or pass judgment.

Stifling creativity, engagement, & curiosity.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. 

It’s about creating space for others to think, explore, & share their ideas.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back, listen, & ask:

-What am I assuming here?
-What do I need to understand before I act?
-How can I help this person feel heard & valued?

And when all else fails, stay curious.

I shared this story recently with Jonathan H. Westover, on the HCI podcast. Watch the replay here: https://lnkd.in/gxPEYWiz

The panic is setting in...


One more month until the end of 2025.

(Insert loud horror movie scream.) 

Or feel free to scream out loud right now. 
It’s okay. 
Let it out.

Alright, now that that’s out of your system... 

Let’s get real.

Real about what you can actually accomplish this month (because it’s really more like 2–3 weeks).

Between holiday events, year-end deadlines, & time off, it’s time to take control of your calendar.

Open it up, review your schedule, & ask yourself: What can I nope?

1. What connection time or holiday fun is an immediate "Yes, please!"?
-Keep it, these moments energize & motivate us
-If it's a no, don't go, & let the host know

2. What are the non-negotiable Dec. deadlines?
-Block focused time to complete these

3. Do we really need to meet this year (or at all)?
-If not, reschedule or shift it to an email/IM

4. What doesn't have an agenda or purpose?
-Ask the host for clarity, reschedule, or politely decline

5. Where am I NOT providing value?
-If you’re not adding or receiving value, rethink your approach or say no

What else can you nope this month?

P.S. If you want to start 2026 with more breathing room, join me in January for the "Workload Reset Bootcamp." 

It’s designed to help you:
-Get clear on what actually matters
-Reset your workload habits
-Reclaim time, focus, & energy

Grab your spot here: https://lnkd.in/gaNrMVyB

P.P.S. Doesn't it look like I'm saying "nope" in this image? 👇🏼

Leaning into a growth mindset means, sometimes, that your eyes will be closed in a photo.

It’s Day 2 of DevLearn Conference & Expo & I led a Morning Buzz session:

“Cultivating a Growth Mindset in L&D” 

L&D = learning & development 

We talked about:

-the power of “yet”
-leaning into curiosity 
-playing the long game
-progress over perfection
-knowing when “C” work is ok

We shared the benefits, challenges, & wins of a growth mindset.

And discussed strategies to help us strengthen it:

-role modeling it in L&D
-learning about mindset
-adopting a reflection practice
-sharing mistakes & lessons learned 
-creating a healthy feedback culture 

P.S. I asked someone to take my pic next to the Morning Buzz sign. Kinda thought it was perfect how imperfect this came out. 

Sometimes it’s ok to post a “C” pic!

#DevLearn

“Learning Changes Lives.”

This was Dr. Keith Keating’s final message in a deep dive session with him last Friday at DevLearn Conference & Expo.

His words have stayed with me all weekend. 

It was my father’s support & encouragement to always complete my homework that helped me build a strong work ethic.

It was that ethic that led to scholarships for college. 

It was my college theater degree that brought me to CA.

It was my experience with my first corporate boss that sparked my interest in leadership.

It was my lean certification that opened the door for my first learning practitioner role.

It was my CliftonStrengths results that led me to start my own leadership development practice. 

I am a lifelong learner. 
That path has changed my life. 

And I’ve seen it change the lives of others too.

How has learning changed your life?

P.S. A few pics from #DevLearn!

Please open your calendar & do this one thing.


Every year, I schedule time to reflect on the past year & plan for the new one. 

If I don't block the time now, it doesn't happen. 

So, I thought I'd give you a nudge. 

Here's my practice: 

Block an hour (or 2, if possible) to reflect on 2025.
➜ Shut down email.
➜ Mark IM on "DND."
➜ Silence your phone.

Change your environment.
➜ Take a walk outside or find a space away from your desk. It helps shift your mindset.

Reflect with these questions:
 ➜ How did you provide value?
 ➜ What were your biggest wins?
 ➜ Where have you grown the most?
 ➜ What haven’t you accomplished yet?
 ➜ Where did you make the most impact?
 ➜ How do you want to show up next year?
 ➜ What wasn’t a beneficial use of your time?

Review your answers.
➜ Identify themes & create your 2026 stop/start/continue list.

What’s one thing you didn’t accomplish this year that you’re determined to tackle?

P.S. If you want help starting 2026 with more breathing room, join me in January for the Workload Reset Bootcamp: https://lnkd.in/gaNrMVyB

P.P.S. My reflection day is set for Dec. 15. How about you?

Stop, Start, Continue

It's one of the hardest exercises I do with leaders & their teams. 

Guess which column gets filled the most?

Stop, of course.

JK

I wish that were the case.

We are so good at coming up with more to do.

We're great at identifying what we should continue.

But when it comes to stopping anything?

Nooooooooooo.

Hey, I get it.
I'm guilty of it too.

But we can't keep piling up the work.
We're human.
We have to start saying no more.

To approach this differently, I've started helping people reframe "stop."

Instead, I ask:
-What can be delegated?
-What can you minimize?
-What can you streamline?
-What should be sunsetted?
-Where are we not adding value?
-Where can we intentionally do "C" work?

Because we can keep starting new things.
And continue doing more & more.

But we will run out of steam.
And we'll exhaust ourselves & others in the process.

That will do nothing but slow us down.
The exact opposite of what we need right now. 

What's one thing you could "stop" this month?

P.S. If your “Stop” list is still looking a little…empty…join me in January for the "Workload Reset Bootcamp." We’ll build one you can actually stick to. 

Grab your spot here: https://lnkd.in/gaNrMVyB

The snow is falling outside while we spend the afternoon leaning into strengths!

I’m tapping into Comminication & Maximizer to facilitate the conversation.

What strength(s) are you leaning into today?

This is the question I kick off every group coaching call with:


What’s one leadership win from the past week, big or small?

We often don't pause to appreciate our progress. 

We get sucked into the gap between where we are & where we want to be.

This question gives us all a chance to celebrate!

Celebrate how far we've come.
Celebrate what's working.

This fuels motivation.
Strengthens relationships.
Ends the week on a high note. 

In a recent call, leaders celebrated:
-new hires
-saying no more
-finishing a project
-advocating for themselves

Seeing these wins sets the tone for the call, lifts everyone up, & reminds us that progress is happening, even when it feels small.

Your turn.

What's one thing you accomplished this week?

P.S. If you’d like to experience this in real time, the group coaching calls are part of the Strategic Leadership Coaching Program: https://lnkd.in/g-cy7ZCi

taplio

The Battle

Jeffery M. Lamont

Jennifer Recla

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreJeffery M. Lamont's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJennifer Recla's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Jeffery M. Lamont

Jennifer Recla

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jeffery M. Lamont's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJennifer Recla's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJeffery M. Lamont's LinkedIn Performance