Do You Stick to the Path that You Know? (First of 2 Parts)

The (Long and Winding) Road to Enlightenment

If you think you are the fountain of learning, you are not.

At least that is what I tell myself (okay, not in those words) when I feel lethargic about going to some training or something.  Because really, what is there in the world and in this life but to know.

So I tried to know.

Last week, I attended a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) for lawyers and I was surprised with what I learned: strategies for cross-examination from Dean Jose Manuel I. Diokno.

Here are some interesting stuff:

• The Principle of “Questments” – posing of questions as statements (but posed with a rising inflection at the end so it cannot be interpreted as a declarative statement)

• One fact per question – otherwise you would not know which question the witness answered (i.e., You saw the green vehicle hitting the short man in the narrow street? – there are three facts in this question – green vehicle, short man, narrow street – which is the witness affirming or denying?)

• Do not use the questions “who?” “what?” “when?” “where?” and “why?” unless you are absolutely certain that you will not relinquish control of the witness.

• Cross-examine your own client (yes, Virginia, your witness might be the bad one)

• Learned Hand, paraphrased: As lawyers, we should strive to be not only “the keys of persuasion, but the triggers of action” (hopefully, the “action” will put the other party in a box that he cannot wiggle out of).

Imagine me, a non-litigation lawyer, sitting in a cramped student-type chair, in the middle of siesta – I have never been more awake wondering when I could practice these tricks. (and that I could not practice these tricks)

Some seminars, of course, can induce a coma.

But when you pursue the path of learning, you will encounter this next question: Do you stick to the path that you know?

I have lots of friends who have pursued masterals and PHD degrees, one after the other, that they now have several letters appended to their names.  I used to think that they may have cornered themselves into being an expert, and at the end of the day, is knowing one thing to its molecular degree, that however it is angled they have an answer, is there some satisfaction in that?  Does it make them happy?  Well, apparently, it does, because they are.  (I have been told, if you focus, pay is great).

But…really?

Personally, I am not sure that I have the patience or the attention span to focus on just one thing in my life.  In fact, as I write this, my mind is exploding (in colors) in thinking about the trainings and seminars I want to attend.  There is just so much to learn, to know.

Do you feel it too?

I mean I know I do not want to go through 4 years of law school again and the bar examinations.  But those 2-week, 6-month, or year-long seminars or courses appeal to me.

Maybe because pressure is almost non-existent and there is instant gratification at the end of it, not to mention a certificate that you can look at and hang somewhere. (*smile*)

But more on that the next time.

Be rich,

Issa

P.S. You can still win tickets here if you tell me your Valentine story.

Article by Issa. Art by D. Copyright 2010.
Blog: YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com

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