Mark M. Childress is the founding attorney of the Law Offices of Mark M. Childress, PLLC. Mark is a passionate family law attorney who’s been offering a guiding hand and a caring heart since 2007.
Like his grandfather before him, Mark has delved headfirst into the complex world of family law, driven by a commitment to stand beside people through the most challenging times of their lives. With each case that walks through his door, Mark brings a wealth of litigation wisdom, pairing it with a uniquely tailored approach that honors the individual stories of his clients.
His dedication to his craft goes beyond the courtroom—it’s woven into the fabric of the relationships he builds. That’s why Mark has been spotlighted time and again for his legal accomplishments, including the honor of being named among the Rising Stars by Super Lawyers and securing a spot on the list of Top Young Lawyers in Texas.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days are filled with team meetings, client consultations, and overseeing daily operations. We keep everything on track using a dedicated calendar system, which helps us manage our time efficiently and meet all our deadlines.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When a new idea strikes, I first flesh it out and strategize the best way to implement it. I then draft a standard operating procedure and collaborate with my team to refine it, putting the idea into practice and making ongoing adjustments to ensure its success.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The advancements in technology that boost the efficiency of managing a law practice really excite me. These innovations help us streamline our operations, enhance communication, and manage cases more effectively, which in turn allows us to provide better service to our clients from anywhere.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I start each day by syncing up with my calendar and my assistant to ensure we’re aligned. This routine helps us manage ongoing client relations, refine our processes, and develop standard procedures for everyday tasks. Organizing my day from the get-go allows us to prioritize effectively and maintain high productivity levels.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self to focus less on finding the perfect path and more on embracing the learning journey. Accept challenges and perceived failures as they’re great opportunities for growth.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I believe multitasking is more harmful than helpful. Many think it boosts efficiency, but it often leads to poorer performance as few can effectively manage multiple tasks at once. I prefer to complete one task before starting another, which I find leads to better outcomes.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I make it a habit to regularly step back to review and reassess my work and personal goals. This helps me stay on track with my long-term objectives and adapt my strategies as necessary.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I focus on what’s within my control—this might mean stepping away from the computer for a short break, chatting with a colleague, or taking a moment to browse social media to clear my head.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Our proactive approach to business, which includes adapting swiftly, assembling a competent team, and maintaining effective SEO, has significantly contributed to our success. We continuously refine our procedures and use advanced technologies to exceed our business goals and enhance our operational efficiency.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I view every setback as a learning opportunity. An early instance involved taking on a project beyond my initial capabilities, which didn’t pan out as planned. Rather than view this as a failure, I sought mentorship and further education, which taught me the value of continual improvement and the importance of asking for help.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An app designed for both legal professionals and clients, functioning similarly to RateMyProfessor.com, could revolutionize the way services are provided in the legal industry. The objective of the app is to create a rating system where legal professionals can evaluate their clients. This feature would empower law firms to make informed decisions about which clients to take on by providing insights into their payment habits and overall cooperation. Similarly, the platform would allow firms to rate their employees, promoting transparency and accountability. This dual-rating system could significantly improve operational efficiency by aligning client expectations with the capabilities and performance of legal staff.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
We use Clio and Google Drive for project management, which helps us organize tasks, monitor progress, and collaborate effectively, ensuring we meet our deadlines and manage our deliverables efficiently.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
Spending $100 on hockey game tickets was a fantastic choice for me personally. It provided a much-needed break and a fun way to recharge, which helped me return to work refreshed and focused.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman has been incredibly valuable. It explores the intricacies of our thought processes, enhancing my understanding of decision-making in professional and personal contexts.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
“The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix was a recent favorite, not just for its focus on chess but for its deeper narrative on overcoming personal challenges and the importance of strategic thinking and resilience.
Key learnings:
- Embrace technological advancements to boost operational efficiency.
- Regular reflection and recalibration are crucial for achieving long-term success.
- Understanding decision-making processes is key to effective management and leadership.
- Thorough planning and prioritization are essential for maintaining productivity.