In the past few years, we have learned that burnout is a common occurrence and, in the field of law, it is especially common. A survey conducted by Bloomberg Law in May 2021 revealed that lawyers felt exhausted for 50% of the first quarter. Among those surveyed, junior and mid-level associates were especially affected, with almost two-thirds of them reporting a decline in their general well-being.
These findings reflect the culture we have created in the profession of law — one that encourages competition and individualism promotes conflict and discourages the display of vulnerability. If this is a profession you are looking to pursue Here’s some advice I wish I’d been given sooner.
Before taking a job, assess the culture of the company.
Try to avoid working for an attorney firm that is focused on billable hours more than mental health. Instead, go to a veteran lawyer in Jacksonville FL which is famous for good practice. It’s much more difficult to accomplish when you’re starting out and trying to compete with very talented colleagues.
How you start your career matters. The pressure to land the first job could be more important than waiting to work in the right company and one that values inclusion, belonging, and the well-being of its employees. If you begin working in a place that doesn’t appreciate you above your capabilities or take care of your psychological health, it’s bound to be unsustainable in the end run.
Don’t be apathetic to your physical triggers.
Have you already secured the job you’ve been looking for? What are the best ways to handle stress when working in a workplace that has a high burnout rate?
The biggest tip I can provide is to not ignore the signals your body’s telling you. Typical symptoms of exhaustion include an increase in heart rate, fatigue, headaches, palpitations or sweating, and general irritability. The symptoms can appear slowly, or as did for me, all at once. If you’re facing a stressful situation, your body shifts into a state that is high alert. It’s getting ready to face or escape from a threat, the reaction we commonly refer to as fight or flight.
Build a life outside your job.
The hard truth is that the legal profession is extremely draining. When you choose to be a lawyer, you’re taking a decision that usually calls for long hours to study and prepare for each case. Clients can be demanding. Your work may begin with relatively low stakes and shift into stressful high-stakes scenarios overnight, depending on the circumstances.
If you’re involved in emotionally fraught cases, which are common in criminal and family law, then you may also be suffering from emotional exhaustion. In these instances, it can be difficult to disconnect yourself from the life that your client. To safeguard yourself and ensure that you are doing your job properly you must establish the right boundaries for yourself at work which usually means having a personal life as well as a help system that isn’t part of it.
Take a moment to show yourself some grace.
In certain areas of law, an urge to achieve perfection is, from my experience normal — since the issues you’re dealing with could have very high stakes and you are frequently involved directly in the daily lives of actual people. While attempting to be at your best is generally a good thing, the danger here is having unrealistic expectations and being too hard on yourself when you don’t attain them. This pattern of behavior can be connected to anxiety, depression, and other physical as well as mental health issues.
While I am aware of the desire to get every case won and to do good for your client(s) However, I’ve seen from personal experience that this pressure can do worse harm than good. There is no superpower in you. You’re not able just to flick a finger and bring things to life. Make sure you remember that just like everyone else in the world, you’re doing your best with the resources you have.