PracticingLawSucks.com

How to feel UP when work gets you DOWN

Of course, "the MONEY" is important; but in the 10 years that I have been coaching lawyers to be happy in their practices and legal careers, most of their work-related complaints and unhappiness pertains to issues other than those related to monetary remuneration.

The demands and stresses imposed upon us lawyers are enormous.  Whether from unrelenting clients, aggressive opposing counsel, unsympathetic colleagues, unreasonable superiors and/or uncaring judiciary, the daily pressures on a lawyer can, at times, be unbearable.  And, today's difficult economic climate, only makes matters worse.

For most of us, work is a requirement; and, for lawyers, LEGAL work is what we do.

A Criminal Lawyer once told me that when his client was sentenced to serve two years in prison following a conviction, he (the lawyer) wished that he could trade places with his client so that he could "escape" from his law practice and hectic life for a while.  HOW SAD !!!

So, the question is "What can a lawyer do to feel UP when work is getting them DOWN?"

Here are a few suggestions:

• Stay away from contentious people.  Try, as best you can, to avoid "negative" people.  Work, itself, is negative enough; you don't want to add to the problem by associating with negative people, if you can avoid it.
• Take on a non-work-related project.  For example, try playing a musical instrument; adopt a hobby; join a new club or organization; or, just do something frivolous.
• Make a list of those aspects of your work that you actually like.  Then, if at all possible, try to incorporate more of these desirable aspects into your work or career.
• Find a buddy at work. Tai Goodwin ("Career expert") says that research shows that people who have friends at work have a higher rate of career satisfaction.
• Take a walk.  Get away from your office now and then.  Take a walk around your office suite, or go up or down to another floor and walk around, or go outside and walk around the block - - just "get away" now and then for a break.
• Take a "music break."  Lean back in your chair and listen to some soothing music for a few minutes, now and then.  It is the real "pause that refreshes."
• Learn something new.  Read a new book, write an article, take a course, do something new that inspires you.
• Be happy for what you have.  Sit down and make a list of those things in your life that you are thankful for, and focus on those things.  This may sound trite, but it works.
• Stop being negative.  Oftentimes, when lawyers get together in small groups, the conversation turns negative - - e.g. what's not working, how bad things are, "clients from hell," etc.  Try to avoid such conversations.  Negativity only makes things worse.
• Get a pet.  Your local Animal Shelter is full of "loving creatures" who would make wonderful companions and give you unconditional love. It would be a "win-win" for both of you.
• Get a life.  If you put all of your waking hours into your work, balance that off with some FUN non-work-related activities.  Many lawyers I come across don't know the definition of the word "fun."  But, assuming that YOU do, then start doing some of that - - according to whatever YOUR definition of that word ("fun") means to YOU.
• Etc., etc.,...and the list can go on and on.

The "bottom line" - - you don't have to feel miserable even though things may be going miserably.  It may be a "mental game," but your attitude plays a major role in what you like or dislike about your work.  The choice is up to YOU.  So, if you have that choice, why not chose to be happy?

Escaping death by paper

In my line of work (being a Coach and Mentor to lawyers), I go into a great number of lawyers' offices.  I am no longer surprised when I encounter a lawyer's desk having so many papers on it that you cannot see any portion of the surface of the desk under all those papers.

Some lawyers' offices have so many papers elsewhere (all over the floor, hanging off of shelves, on furniture, etc.), that the office looks like a dump - - - but, we have dealt with that subject previously in this Blog.

Getting back to the papers - - it is obvious that many lawyers are drowning in paper.  Even thought the computer-run offices of today were supposed to be "paperless," the truth is we are printing out and making more copies then even before - - adding to the age-old problem of keeping things organized. 

Here are some suggestions for keeping your papers from overtaking your office (or cubicle):

• Set aside a block of time daily to manage your paperwork.  Then stick to what you have scheduled.

• Manage your paperwork no more than two times per day.

• Handle each piece of paper only once, if possible.  Avoid putting papers aside until "later," which might be never.

• Throw away earlier draft print-outs.  You will not need them (unless you need to show them to your client to justify your hugh bill).

• Try to limit the majority of your paper correspondence to one page (unless your client pays you by the word).

• Once you pick up a paper, force yourself to do something with it so you will not be tempted to throw it back in the pile - - unless, of course, it was a paper containing a drawing by your kid.

• Instead of sending out a paper memo, consider making a phone call or sending an email instead.

I assure you, there is nothing better than coming into a clean, orderly office at the beginning of the day.