Sorry Potter fans, I’ve been a little bogged down with memos, readings, and more. But I am working to alleviate some of my stresses so that I can give this blog its due attention again. But wait no more… let’s jump into Chapter 7.

Chapter 7

Today’s the day, Harry’s hearing at the Ministry of Magic. At breakfast, the adults in the room all try to encouraging, giving Harry advice and affirmations that everything will be okay. Soon Harry and Mr. Weasley set off for the Ministry using muggle modes of transportation (the tube manly). Of course Mr. Weasley finds this all very fascinating. They arrive at the Ministry and head towards Mr. Weasley’s office. On the elevator Harry listens to a fascinating conversation about fire-breathing chickens.  Mr. Weasley gives Harry a brief overview of each floor int he Ministry before arriving to Mr. Weasley’s division. They head towards Mr. Weasley’s office only to find out that Harry’s hearing was moved and Harry needed to be there five minutes ago. They rush to the Department of Mysteries and Mr. Weasley wishes Harry good luck before Harry enters the room of the hearing alone.

What I love about this chapter is that it is simple and applies to law school very well. Growing up a military brat I learned very early on that you are never late for anything. So deadlines are something I hate to miss, like physically hate to miss, but what I am learning in law school is that deadlines are subjective. Deadlines move on a whim’s notice, deadlines can be changed at any point in time (even the day of), and deadlines seem to be whatever the person setting them want them to be. Actually, everything is subjective in law school. One person may really like your writing, one person may hate it. One person may think your resume formatting is spot on, another may completely reformat it for you.

The thing is, to be successful in this field, you have to be flexible, you have to play the game.  Even if it feels like the odds are stacked against you, you have to play along. Harry had to play along. They literally moved his meeting time and place knowing he would either miss it or be late. It was part of the game, but alas there he was. While I hate living in a world where you have to kiss up to people to get anywhere, I’ve come to the realization that kissing up to people may be the only way to make it through this season of my life and that one day, when I am the boss, the supervisor, the person calling the shots I will remember the hoops I had to jump through to be successful and I will find a way to come alongside those below me and work with them to create a new path to success.

To some that may seem like I am of the “give everyone a trophy” mindset, but really I think if we stopped playing games, stopped hiding the ball, stopped causing each other to jump through hoop after hoop and actually worked together civilly, we might accomplish a lot more in this world. But, I don’t make those decisions yet… but just you wait.

Until Next Time,

Mischief Managed.