Unfortunately, many have to feel the pain before they're motivated to do something about it. The greatest opportunities for human learning come through the experience of pain. The second best motivator is the chance to do the kind of work you want to do. For some, it's more fun than practicing law. The best time to get energetic about business development is when you're too busy.
Business development is hard to do in a vacuum.
Having someone to work with, give you ideas, goad you on, share your misery and read your responses to RFPs helps a lot. Good business development requires a certain amount of self-perspective. It can get pretty dark and lonely if there's no one to talk to about victories and defeats. For some, the listener is a partner. Others team with a secretary, work with a core group of lawyers or involve themselves in myriad other arrangements designed to scare away the lonelies, inspire creativity and expand reach.