Holiday Reflections – Time to take stock of life

Holiday Reflections – Time to take stock of life

Looking forward to your summer holiday? Can’t wait to get away from work, to spend some time with friends or family? Like most patent and trade mark attorneys, you are probably seriously in need of some time off.

IP Inclusive’s latest mental wellbeing survey reported that levels of stress, anxiety and depression were significant within the IP professions, with more than half of all respondents saying they had been adversely affected by stress in the preceding twelve months. The most significant causes, once again, were said to be related to high workloads. In terms of business impact, the survey revealed that stress and other mental health issues are leading to mistakes (or near-mistakes), reduced confidence, difficulty concentrating and reduced productivity, as well as physical problems such as fatigue and loss of sleep. In many cases they have caused respondents to consider leaving their current jobs and/or the profession.

So if, while you are on holiday, you find you are not looking forward to going back, maybe you should take the opportunity of having the time (and headspace) to think about what you really want to do and how you really want to live.

Here is a book, a TED talk, a podcast and an article that you might like to take a look at:

Our lives have become increasingly stressful. Whether it’s our to-do lists, deadlines, difficult conversations or crises small or large, our waking hours are filled with constant stressors. We can’t eliminate stress – it will always be woven into our lives and part of everything from parenting and careers, to reaching big life dreams. However, this book will help you to ‘stress better’ and become more resilient.

ER doctor, Dr Darria Long,  explains key lessons from hospital emergency rooms on handling stress, chaos, and life.

In this episode of the High Performance podcast, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee talks about how building connections and nourishing relationships are key to building a more fulfilling and happy life. Two IP is all about relationships and helping people to build a life that suits them, allowing attorneys to spend time doing the things outside of work they care about, so this conversation really resonated with us.

Chronic stress at work can lead to listlessness, fatigue – and a much higher risk of stroke and heart disease. This article looks at some ways to save yourself before it’s too late.

We believe every patent and trade mark attorney should be able to enjoy a proper work-life balance. It is one of the reasons we designed Two IP to work in the way it does.

Two IP consultants have complete control over everything to do with their work – who they work with, how they do the work and where and when they do it. By having a lower workload plus complete autonomy, we believe it is possible to have a much healthier approach to work. Meaning happier attorneys, with the time and headspace to do their best work.

If your holiday turns out not to be the break you so desperately needed, or you are dreading returning to work, then maybe it’s time to join a different team. You can find out more about Two IP here: https://www.two-ip.com/want-to-join-us/

We talk Two IP on the ‘Talking IP with Justin Simpson’ podcast

Two IP founder Anna Molony and consultant Rachel Havard were thrilled to be invited to join Billtrader founder Justin Simpson on his podcast ‘Talking IP with Justin Simpson’.

In their conversation with Justin, Anna shares the reasons behind setting up Two IP and the benefits of working outside of the traditional practice model and Rachel talks about her reasons for joining Two IP as a Consultant Trade Mark Attorney and shares how it is going so far.

You can listen to the full podcast episode:

For Apple Podcasts: click here

For Spotify: click here

If you are a patent or trade mark attorney and would like to learn more about joining us, click here to book a confidential call with one of our Directors.

Two IP Founder wins ‘Lawyer Monthly’ 2022 Patents Lawyer of the Year Award

Dr Anna Molony has recently been awarded ‘2022 Patents Lawyer of the Year’ by ‘Lawyer Monthly’ for her work in co-founding Two IP and pioneering a new type of firm for the IP profession.

 
The Lawyer monthly awards recognise the achievements of both law firms and individuals who have delivered exceptional results over the last 12 months.
Anna was awarded the accolade in recognition of the innovation and passion she has shown for providing an alternative career option for experienced attorneys who want to be able to focus on doing the work they love, in a way that allows them the time to truly understand what their clients need, while enjoying real work-life balance.

 
She was driven to set up Two IP based on her experience of creating a working life which allowed her to continue building her career whilst enjoying more free time. She has previously built two successful IP firms and so understands what it takes to build a business and is uniquely positioned to use that learning to benefit others. She also recognized that having a good work/life balance was an unusual position to be in, but it didn’t have to be. Two IP has been built to make this lifestyle a very real option for others in the profession.

 
From doing her PhD research to founding and growing two successful IP firms, Anna has always been a keen innovator. She believes in thinking differently and is driven to use what she has learned as an attorney, and in business, to create a better way of working for patent and trade mark attorneys.


Two IP is the first patent and trade mark firm in the UK operating this new model, though a similar model has been being successfully used for a number of UK solicitors firms. It was the success of these new breed consultancy model solicitors firms that inspired Anna to work out how to adapt and develop that model so that it could work for patent and trade mark attorneys.


In addition to Two IP providing all the infrastructure and support services that an attorney needs to do their client work, Anna prides herself on providing business and mentoring support to the attorneys who choose to join Two IP. It has been this mentoring element of the firm’s offer that has been considered so valuable for individuals looking to make a change in their professional and personal life:

“I knew I wanted to change my working life to allow me to pursue interests outside of work but without compromising on my career success. Anna’s experience and genuine desire to support and help her colleagues in the profession was a key driver for my choosing to join Two IP”

Rachel Havard, Two IP consultant trade mark attorney.

Anna is a successful patent attorney in her own right with technical specialisms including telecommunications systems, optical technologies, RFID and software. Working with UK and EU in-house patent departments and technology companies to help them protect and effectively commercialise their innovations and R&D investment. She continues to work for a select group of clients along side building and growing Two IP. 

In line with the Two IP ethos she also has a thriving life outside of work. She is the Senior Independent Director of Bowls England (the national governing body for lawn bowls) and a keen lawn bowls player, including playing for the Warwickshire county team.

Thinking Differently – Reflections on three months with Two IP

In November, Rachel Havard joined Two IP as a consultant trade mark attorney. In this blog, she shares her reflections after her first three months with us and what it has meant to her and her family.

I have now completed my first quarter with Two IP and am invigorated by the benefits of self-employed trade mark attorney consultancy with the support of a team around me – the ultimate ‘Going it Alone’ but without actually being alone.  I still have access to the same type of infrastructure and organisation as your traditional IP firm, but without many of the constraints.

I have been able to start my own company, to work with my favourite types of client with much more time to get to know them better, and can see how increased freedom and flexibility has benefited me personally and will continue to do so.  

“My family are already thanking me for being present again, and I am sufficiently present at last to hear them!”

Rachel Havard, Two IP consultant trade mark attorney.

I have said goodbye to long commutes to the office, and in place of that am getting out on the road to visit clients, as well as attending a variety of networking events.  I also have much more time for professional development and to remain up to date with evolving case law and industry trends.  I have been meeting fascinating new people and have the privilege of continuing to work with many old friends.

In the process of taking on client trade mark portfolios I already know well, and in many cases helped to build from the inception of a client’s business, I am finding myself in a unique position to give them fresh, forward-thinking insights with the benefit of long corporate memory.  There is also the thrill of meeting and working with new clients.

I have been delighted to see other IP attorneys recognize the same great opportunity I did, with more signing up to the Two IP model.  Such a collaborative environment can be created when without hierarchy or being answerable to targets in the traditional sense.  Self-discipline is just as important, but consultancy affords much more control over a working day and it really is up to you what you make of it.  

For anyone already thinking differently about how to shape their career, I do recommend you take a closer look at Two IP and the fresh approach on offer.  You can find out more here.

Navigating career choices with confidence

Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress: working hard for something we love is called passion
Simon Sinek

The beginning of a new year is a great time to take stock of your work life.  How was work in 2022 – were you happy or unhappy?  What would you like to change?

In this blog, long-time Two IP friend and career coach, Pamela Macphee of CareerShift, shares her insights into what areas are useful to think about if a change in career or work situation is on your mind.

A lot has changed in the world of work since the emergence of COVID-19 three years ago but at the same time a lot has stayed the same You may have enjoyed the benefits of remote working during the pandemic but you’ve probably still had to work extensive hours to meet your billing targets.

Or maybe you’ve realised that although you’ve been at home more, this hasn’t resulted in more family time and you’ve realised how important that is to you.

Regardless of your circumstances , many peoples’ relationship with work itself has changed over the past three years.

Our work makes up a large part of our identity – much of our time is spent working, preparing for work, and recovering from work.  The location of our working lives may have shifted, but for many in the IP profession, the demands of work in a traditional firm continues to be all consuming and dominates our focus and time, leading to unhealthy habits and little time to devote to anything else.

It’s important to evaluate where things are in your career as we start off 2023, because how you feel at work has such a big influence on how you feel in all other parts of your life.  When you’re happy from a work perspective, the knock-on effect to better health and a happier personal  life is evident.

Sometimes a change is needed.A change in role, a change in organisation, or a change in lifestyle.  A career coach can help you work through these options and then help you implement the changes you require to make that change a reality. There are five key steps we would encourage you to take if you are not happy with your current work situation:

What is really driving this feeling of ‘needing a change’?

We would encourage you to be honest with yourself about what specifically is making you feel like this. Is it the work you are doing, the people you are surrounded by, or maybe the working arrangements or hours you’re needing to work? It can of course be a combination of factors, but it is important to be honest with yourself about what is driving this feeling of dissatisfaction. Talking to an external party such as career coach can help with this process.

What are your transferable skills and competencies?

Examining what you’re good at and what you enjoy are great places to start when thinking about what you might want to do next. Think about scenarios when you feel you are operating at your best. What skills are you using or what situations are you in? Maybe you get a buzz from meeting and building relationships with clients or maybe you enjoy the technical work in your expert field but not the line management side of your role. By identifying what you like (and don’t like!) and what you do best you are better equipped to find situations where you can do this more.

Research your options

Even in the IP Profession there are a range of options open to you. Two IP featured on a CIPA webinar last year which explored different working models in the profession. If you’ve been in private practice for a while you might feel that moving to another similar practice is your only option but there are many different avenues to explore. Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to your network or contacts as well. People are usually very willing to share their experiences and provide you with a picture of what different ways of working look like in reality.

Market yourself

Once you have a clearer idea of what is important to you and what option might be best suited then you can use the power of Linkedin to make yourself visible and connect with people in that field or company. Again, a career coach can help with that but an up-to-date and compelling LinkedIn profile allows you to connect with people and spark conversations which can help flag up opportunities.

Keep the end destination in mind

In an environment where there is a ‘war for talent’ it can be easy (and tempting!) to take a comfortable option offer whether that is a promotion, a move to a similar firm or even an in-house role. I would encourage you though to keep reminding yourself why you are doing this. What was it that initially made you rethink your career and what option has the highest likelihood of addressing that for you? Creating a picture of what you want your future life to look like can really help with that. Keep coming back to that vision and checking in that you are getting closer to achieving it.

 

If you would appreciate an external, expert perspective to help you work through this process then you can contact Pamela on admin@pamelaconsulting.co.uk and you can explore how Two IP aims to solve the work/life balance for experienced Patent and Trade Mark here.

 

Cracking the happiness code in the second half of life 

Prominent Harvard Business School professor and social scientist Arthur C Brooks has conducted extensive research on what is likely to cause higher happiness levels in later life. His findings provide tips and suggestions to help us prepare for a happier second half and be more likely to enjoy it.  

This blog shares some of the highlights from happiness research specifically as they apply to ambitious professionals who may be asking themselves if they are still happy and, if not, what they can do about it.  

1. What used to make you happy might not anymore  

When we start out in our careers and set up our lives, we may make certain decisions or head in particular directions that suit us and make us happy at the time. Our needs, abilities and preferences change over time, and something that might have excited us in our 20s might feel less satisfying in our 40s. That is normal and should be expected. We should be comfortable with that and see flexing to satisfy those evolving preferences as healthy and normal.   

2. Avoid the four false idols: money, power, pleasure and fame.  

Chasing, and even achieving, in these areas is likened to substance addition. There is a dopamine high, but they will leave you unhappy in the long run. The difference is that they are not only socially acceptable but often socially promoted and so can be easy to fall into without realising their impact on our lives.  

3. Instead, focus on the four pillars of our ‘happiness portfolio’ 

These are family, friends, work and faith. He found that the happiest people had deep family ties and strong friendships with a true sense of self and what is important to them. They also have work which serves others as well as themselves. By finding habits and routines that encourage focus in these four areas, people are more likely to experience longer-term happiness. 

4. Happiness is a discipline.   

Being happy in a modern world filled with distractions and pressures can be difficult, so sticking to these principles is not easy.  We can, though, view happiness discipline similarly to an exercise regime. Something to stick to and create ways to keep us focused on it. By understanding what drives happiness in us as an individual, we can take action when we feel it slipping away to help us stay on course.  

5. Embrace ‘happiness triggers’  

Certain actions and activities have been found to be more likely to boost happiness. Some suggestions include acknowledging and getting a grip on unhelpful thoughts, spending money on experiences and not ‘stuff’, always be learning and willing to learn, and getting out in nature regularly – and taking the time to appreciate it when you do.   

We can’t guarantee that joining Two IP will immediately make you permanently happy, but our flexible approach allows you to control your work and daily routine so you can have the time to do the activities that do make you happy. You can find out about how we work here.  

A Two IP life for Rachel Havard

Rachel Havard joined Two IP as a consultant trade mark attorney in November, after many years as a partner in a London-based traditional private practice.  One of the first advantages of note has been the improved commuting experience.  

Rachel has written this blog to share more about her experience so far.  If it inspires you to make a change to your own working life, then you can find out more about what it is like at Two IP here. 

“So, autumn is now roaring towards winter, and I am reminded of what I used to have ahead of me with frequent journeys from rural Warwickshire down to central London.  

These always began with an alarm set for ridiculous o’clock, then fumbling around in the dark trying not to wake up the rest of the house, to next go outside and find out the state of my car before I could drive it to the railway station, so beginning that day’s 5 hour round trip to the office.

Next up, shivering on the platform, before piling onto a packed, overpriced train, with all those other commuter-warriors.

A full working day in the city was always nice from the point of view of seeing everybody and feeling a part of things; but tinged with guilt for leaving a bit earlier than others, albeit to start another lengthy journey.  Traditional IP firms are embracing hybrid working, but attendance at the office once or twice a week is usually necessary, and with the required number of office days increasing as things drift back towards the old normal.

And who knows what might be waiting at Euston?  Travel time home could easily be doubled when impacted by autumn and winter conditions and cancellations.

With my Two IP commute, I now have scope for some quality time every day before I begin work followed by the shortest of commutes through my garden to my home office.

There is plenty more time to spend on my clients and business development, whist feeling energised and present in my Two IP life!

Even better – maybe the next home office could look like this!?…”

You can find out more about life at Two IP and how we can help you improve your work/life balance here.

What hobbies would you do more of if you joined Two IP?

When an attorney is thinking of joining Two IP they are often surprised and delighted to find out that they wouldn’t need to work the same hours to earn the same (or even more!) as they currently do employed in private practice.

When you also include the reduced (or non-existent) commuting due to our fully remote model, the time individuals have back during their working week can be considerable.

In this blog we look at the hobbies and pastimes the Two IP team take part in and their thoughts on balancing their home and work life.

Anna – Co-founder

Anna is not only co-founder of Two IP but also senior independent director of Bowls England. 

Alongside the official board duties of this role, she also plays for her club and the Warwickshire county side, which requires regular practice and match playing commitments.

Lawn Bowls is clearly a huge passion of Anna’s and by creating the working life she has, she can participate fully in both board and playing roles.

It’s not just about spending time on the green. Anna also likes to play the piano and will spend time during the week practicing and perfecting her pieces, for her fortnightly lesson.

In a traditional IP attorney role, the time for activities like this would not normally exist, so they can easily fall by the wayside as work pressures build. Anna has been able to make time to take part in the things she enjoys – they rarely, if ever, get cancelled due to work commitments. And these non-work activities have a benefit that you might find somewhat unexpected – spending time doing these things, fully switching off from work, means Anna finds it easier to focus when she gets back to her client work or having conversations with attorneys thinking about joining Two IP.

Donnacha – Non-Exec Director

Donnacha lives and breathes the flexible working model. With a home base in Westport, Ireland and a house in Cyprus, it’s always a fun game guessing which country he is in on our team calls.  

His preferred past times are of the physical variety, so cycling, windsurfing and kayaking. These active pursuits mean he can experience plenty of time in the Cypriot sunshine and be invigorated by the fresh Irish air. Working across time zones also has the added advantage of taking part in his preferred activities well before the rest of us have woken up.

Danielle – COO

Danielle has advocated for flexible and remote working long before the pandemic and has perfected the art of carving out plenty of time for activities outside of work. 

A key one for her is the ability to go to the gym early each morning. 

Commuting and regular working hours can make fitting this in difficult. Still, with a fully flexible schedule, she can attend a spinning or HIIT class most days and even have time for a relaxing coffee afterwards.

Although strictly speaking not a hobby, Danielle also has an energetic dog that requires a fair amount of walking daily. As she has chosen to live in the depths of the Herefordshire countryside, another part of her daily schedule is long dog walks around the footpaths her house is surrounded by. No quick loops around the block in between client calls here.

Continuing the outdoors theme, she has also been known to work for a week at a time from a campsite, working for a few hours before heading out and exploring the local area. 

With no requirement to be in a particular place or even working at specific times, she can take a ‘holiday’ whenever she likes knowing she can still keep on top of work, and the Two IP infrastructure means she can attend meetings and receive calls wherever she may be.

How would you spend that time if you could save 2 to 3 hours each day and still earn the same? Let us know at hello@two-ip.com, and we can have a chat about if this is realistic for you.

Something to think about on your holiday

You’re likely looking forward to a restful break in the sun as we enter the holiday season. And, like most IP professionals, you are probably seriously in need of some time off.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) suggests that there are six main areas of work design that can impact employees’ stress levels. This includes the level of demand and workload an individual must cope with and the level of control someone has for their work and how they do it. And, according to the “Life in the Law” report from the charity LawCare, legal professionals often struggle to find the time to take proper breaks and fully switch off. Unsurprisingly, this leads to higher burnout levels, stress and mental health challenges.

So if, while you are on holiday, you find you are not looking forward to going back, maybe you should take the opportunity of having the time (and headspace) to think about what you really want to do and how you really want to live.

Here is a book, an article and a podcast you might find helpful as you do that thinking:

“How Will You Measure Your Life?” by Clayton M. Christensen, James Allworth, Karen Dillon

In this groundbreaking book, Christensen puts forth a series of questions: How can I be sure that I’ll find satisfaction in my career? How can I be sure that my personal relationships become enduring sources of happiness? How can I avoid compromising my integrity—and stay out of jail? Using lessons from some of the world’s greatest businesses, he provides incredible insights into these challenging questions.

‘A career change saved my life’: the people who built better lives after burnout | Health & wellbeing | The Guardian

The High Performance Podcast (thehighperformancepodcast.com) – Dr. Rangan Chatterje: The Key to Happier Living

In this episode of the High Performance podcast, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee talks about how building connections and nourishing relationships are key to building a more fulfilling and happy life. Two IP is all about relationships and helping people to build a life that suits them, allowing attorneys to spend time doing the things outside of work they care about, so this conversation really resonated with us.

 

We believe every patent and trade mark attorney should be able to enjoy a proper work-life balance. It is one of the reasons we designed Two IP to work in the way it does.

All Two IP consultants have the opportunity to earn a very good income whilst working the hours they are happy with, free from billing targets (unless they choose to set one for themselves). The same goes for control. Two IP consultants have complete control over everything to do with their work – who they work with, how they do the work and where and when they do it. By having a lower workload plus complete autonomy, we believe this model provides a much healthier approach to work.

If your holiday turns out not to be the break you so desperately needed, or you are dreading returning to work, then maybe it’s time to have a confidential, informal chat with the Two IP team. You can find out more here: https://www.two-ip.com/want-to-join-us/

 

What lawn bowls can teach business on the CoffeeCast podcast. 

Lawn bowls and business might not seem like a natural pairing, but this combination was the topic of discussion on this episode of the CoffeeCast podcast.

Co-founder of Two IP, (and Bowls England Senior Independent Director) Anna Molony and Doug McPherson from Size 10 1/2 Boots discuss the importance of team communication in bowls and what business can learn from the sport.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Then watch England’s international bowlers in action and see how an elite team communicates to win a gold medal: 

Watch on iPlayer here (zip forward to 3 hours 30 into the program to find the start of Men’s Triples Gold medal match, England v Australia)

And if all this inspires you to try out lawn bowls yourself (or as a team building session) why not book a Bowls Bash session? It is an exciting, short form of lawn bowls for new players, that is really easy and fun for all ages and abilities. Find out more about Bowls Bash at Bowls Bash – Bowls England

Find a club and book a Bowls Bash session at www.play-bowls.com