Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
I have been running my own law firm for more than 18 years now. It does not seem long to me, because I know how quickly that time has flown by, but when I think about it in the context of some of my staff then I realise it is a long period of time. I have staff members that are 20 or 21 and it means when I started my business they were 1 or 2 years old! That also tells you how quickly life goes by and whereas the average 21 year old does not believe that, and believes that their time is now and their moment in the sun is going to last for a long time, the reality is that time really does fly, and every year it gets faster. Those are all clichés, they have been said by many people before, and when I think about it in the context of my business and the age of some of the people working, I appreciate it.
You can become a lawyer these days by the age of 22 and when I studied you had to have another degree first before you could qualify for an LLB – it was then a post-graduate degree – in other words, you were only allowed to do it once you already had another degree. In those days it was hard to become a lawyer before 24 and if you think that most men had to go to the army, although fortunately while I was at University that system was done away with, most male lawyers would have been 27 before they even began their careers. It is also a reminder that opportunities don’t come your way every day and that the bravado and brashness you have when you are young, when you believe because things are going well and lots of opportunities are coming your way now it will continue that way, is just an illusion. Don’t be one of the many who regret the things they never did and the opportunities you never took.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 18-Dec-13
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Comments
Anjelica said:
on Friday 20-Dec-13 09:39 AM
I agree, you must live they way you want to and do what you want. Life is way to short to look back at regrets.
Sheena said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 03:24 PM
Live everyday like it is your last. Time goes by so fast! Do everything that you want to do so that you don't regret not doing it someday
Anna said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 03:21 PM
It's much easier for spontaneous people to grab opportunities by the horns with little or no regard for the consequences, however, for those people who are more considered, taking chances and throwing caution to the wind is not second nature and therefore decisions and opportunities have to be mulled over for a lot longer. You often do not have a choice into which category you fall.
Having a little experience behind me and a couple of grey hairs, I can recommend finding a balance between being foolhardy and reckless when making decisions and being boring and safe.....make some mistakes in life, you can only learn from them and build on them.
Lucretia said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 12:37 PM
There is an old saying, "youth is wasted on the young". But the very words are true if you don't take opportunities. Yes it is a clichè to say, "if only I have my life over", unfortunately, if you don't grab opportunities when they arise, these are the very words one will repeat over and over again.
Nicolle said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 11:49 AM
So many young people believe that they are invincible, and squander their 20s away on parties, job hopping and having a good 'ol time, I mean why not when you are part of a generation who feels automatically entitled to everything.
I believe that your 20s is the time to lay a solid foundation for your own future. In order to Prosper. It has been said: "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe"
I was afforded the opportunity to study at Wits this year. I grabbed this opportunity wholeheartedly. Leaving a good, secure and loved job behind. Not knowing what the future held but determined that at the end of this journey, which I now embark on, I will walk away with a Prestigious Degree. #LayingTheFoundation
We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work Thomas A. Edison
Bianca said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 11:36 AM
Live life with no regrets, when an opportunity presents itself, go for it!
Alexis said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 11:19 AM
Time does fly by and yes - very quickly. You need to grab those opportunities or you will be left behind and regret.
Sorea said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 11:18 AM
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did - Mark Twain
Kaylee said:
on Thursday 19-Dec-13 10:57 AM
I completely agree! I really do believe that you have to grab the opportunity as soon as it presents itself. I feel that if you miss the chance you will never have that chance again! I feel that way especially about travelling, I really think that young people should travel as much as they can while they are young, as before you know it you have all these burdens and obligations that you cannot simply pack up and go backpacking through Europe.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
