Contrary to the statistics, you do not have to be at the mercy of lawyer stress. Find your way to the peaceful possibility for your life and your law practice starting right now. 

⏰Chapters:⏰

(00:00) Intro (10:53) Provide legal services based on dispute resolution (11:55) Incorporate efficiencies by making use of checklists and following SOPs (14:25) Have a great marketing plan to attract the right client (15:01) Utilize the best software to maximize the efficiency of your law practice (15:31) Use the software to its maximum potential (15:43) Take charge of your time and use it strategically (18:47) Turn your clients into raving fans by having seamless and organized processes (19:27) Expand your team to get extra help in becoming productive (21:16) Implement the "who, not how" concept

Let’s face it. The statistics are grim. Lawyer stress is a big problem in our profession. Study after study states that our profession has high rates of mental disorders and substance abuse. Sadly, many lawyers think it is just the way it is, and there is nothing we can do about it. I say bogus to that! 

The problem is most lawyers do not know that there is a better way. The statistics are, sadly, very illuminating. Despite most bar associations saying they are doing something about it, the lawyer stress statistics continue to rise. 

We can’t wait on our governing bodies, or bar associations to help with our stress. Managing our stress and creating a happy and peaceful existence is up to us, nobody else.

Are these some of the things that cause you lawyer stress? 

Conflict:  Many lawyers (hello, this is me) don’t even like conflict, yet they are embroiled in it all day long. 

Long hours: Many lawyers think there is no choice but to work long hours. Spoiler alert, this is a myth created and perpetuated by our dysfunctional profession. 

The need to be perfect:  Making mistakes can be profoundly embarrassing. I know because I have made about a kabajillion of them. 

Not enough time for self-care:  A very wise person once said to me that if you really hate your job, there is no amount of self-care in the world that is going to make you happy or remove your stress. 

Deadlines:  Deadlines don’t need to freak you out if you organize your calendar and schedule in a way that ensures you have scheduled your time so that you get everything you need to be done.

Client demands:  Are your clients a source of lawyer stress for you, or are they a source of joy? If clients are too demanding, that is often a symptom of your client relationship management. 

Billing pressures:  Ask yourself, where do these billing pressures come from? Are they from you? Your firm? The managing partner? Are you in competition with others? Or is it that you do not have a proper billing system in place? 

Disciplinary Proceedings:  Despite us attempting to do our best work, there is always the possibility (remote or not) of a client complaint or disciplinary proceedings. 

The usual advice for combating lawyer stress:

We have all heard about these strategies to beat lawyer stress but how many lawyers do you know to implement any of them? 

▪ Have a regular exercise routine ▪ Yoga  ▪ A healthy diet  ▪ Meditation ▪ Avoid unhealthy habits (drinking, smoking, taking drugs, eating junk food, binging on television), you know the stuff that most lawyers engage in to reduce stress and relax!  ▪ Laugh more  ▪ Connect with others  ▪ Get enough sleep  ▪ Keep a journal  ▪ Get counseling 

Sure we all know this list. The question is how many of us have the time, energy or inclination to actually incorporate any of this stuff? 

The problem, my friend, is this. NO matter how much you incorporate self-care, meditation, exercise, eating well, and sleeping well, no amount of self-care is going to beat your lawyer stress, expand your happiness, save your health, or improve your relationships if you walk into a stressful, chaotic, high-conflict law practice each and every working day of your life. 

Val Hemminger

️Links & Resources️ ✨

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Clio: https://www.clio.com/web/be-the-best-divorce-lawyer/?referral_code=AP-BBDL

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