For many of our clients, firms, or agencies, fall is the start of a new fiscal year. Several of us are probably instrumental in the labor required to prepare a new budget. Well, my offering to this month’s Austin Lawyer readers is to reflect on a different kind of budget–the budget for your personal energy.
One of the foremost conundrums in any profession is the idea of “finding balance”.
How does one give adequate time and attention to the work while also attaining personal fulfillment, peace, well-being, etc.?
I am obviously biased, but I would wager that finding balance is particularly challenging for attorneys. However, just like the practice of law, finding balance is a process. At the end of the day, we are all humans with lives composed of moving targets and changing variables. If we occasionally set our ambitious tendencies aside, it leaves us room to recognize that instead of finding balance, perhaps seeking balance through small daily efforts is where the true value lies.
And so, with that backdrop, here are a few tools I have found especially helpful in my own journey of seeking balance as a young lawyer.
Compartmentalize: The legal profession demands that we keep several, often delicate, plates in the air at any given time. While I’m sure many of us take pride in a multi-tasking skillset, compartmentalizing can help us maximize our mental energy and ultimately be more effective.
I find it helpful to specifically allocate time and energy whenever possible: When you’re drafting a client email, focus only on that email instead of the other meeting you have in 20 minutes. Look at your day in advance—When can you make time to prepare for your hearing without distraction? Can you engage with your inbox during a set window instead of interrupting your flow?
Compartmentalizing goes hand-in-hand with practicing presence and establishing boundaries. I promise they’re more than just buzz words; they’re key ingredients for seeking balance! To be present, be where your feet are. If you’re at work, be at work. If you’re recharging, allow yourself to fully recharge. To establish boundaries, think about how you would counsel any client during settlement talks–what are your non-negotiables? Once those are established, are there other areas of work or life where you can be flexible?
Breath and Movement: Physical and mental well-being can be deeply intertwined. When I teach yoga, I like to emphasize that your movements don’t have to be intense to be beneficial. Subtle movements or a two-minute check-in with your breath can make an immense difference. Find a moment between briefs for a few rounds of 4-7-8 breathing or take periodic breaks to stretch the neck, roll the shoulders and wrists, and take a quick forward fold. Regularly identify areas where you are holding tension–are you clenching your jaw when you email opposing counsel? Holding your breath as you review those redlines? Give yourself the gift of release!
Grace and Self-Compassion: Perfectionism has its time and place, but it can be more of a barrier to balance than a tool. Check out AYLA President Jenna Malsbary’s article on page 10 in this month’s edition of the Austin Lawyer on the importance of giving yourself grace. It can be hugely helpful to regularly audit our self-talk. If we practice compassion towards ourselves, we are better able to extend the same to our clients and colleagues.
Step Away from the Screens: We are more accessible than ever, and we are surrounded by constant stimulation. If you find that stimulation becomes overstimulation more often than you’d like, try to create pockets within your week to take a reprieve. For me, this is usually a break from screens and notifications.
Intentional Joy: This is my favorite. I once read about the power of smiling at yourself in the mirror. It seems silly but it’s amazing how much silly can help us maintain perspective. If you wake up thinking about a song that makes you feel good, turn it on and sing along while you drive to work. If you’ve had a jam-packed day and you can feel your stress level rising, take a moment to think about a memory that brings you laughter.
I offer these tidbits with the caveat that each of us navigates unique circumstances every day. My tools will not be the same as your tools. But communities like AYLA are extremely valuable for comparing notes on tools and tricks. If you’ve made it this far, my hope is that you’ll conduct your own fall audit and be thoughtful about how you might budget for balance. Doing so regularly can empower us to be better lawyers.