Login
‘We aren’t robots’: Why lawyers shouldn’t use spare time to work
For many lawyers, logging additional hours whenever possible has become second nature. However, Melissa Arndell argues that this relentless pursuit of working every spare moment can be counterproductive and should be allocated for activities that foster personal wellbeing.
Grace Robbie
In a professional world driven by strict deadlines, billable hours, and an unwavering expectation of high performance, legal practitioners often face substantial pressure to optimise every moment available to complete their work.
Speaking with Lawyers Weekly, Melissa Arndell, an associate lawyer at Bourke Legal, emphasised the detrimental effects of attaining this mindset. Instead, she advocates that lawyers must use this time to prioritise their wellbeing to prevent burnout, stay mentally sharp, and build sustainable careers.
Arndell noted that the compulsion to work constantly has been ingrained in many lawyers due to their educational experiences, which are frequently accompanied by a relentless drive for exceptional performance.
“Often, we’ve been high achievers throughout our entire lives, all the way back to our school and uni days, and that has helped us get to where we are today. We may not like to admit it, but doing a good job and putting in the hours is often directly linked to our feelings of worthiness,” she said.
She further explained that this pressure is exacerbated by their inherent demands to adhere to deadlines, whether self-imposed or client-driven.
“By their very nature, our busy roles are surrounded by deadlines – from the court, our superiors and our clients. Many lawyers, like me, are surrounded by self-imposed deadlines, too.
“The constant ticking of the clock makes us feel that we need to do more, achieve more and be more,” she said.
The consequences of overworking
Although it may seem that relentless work and the utilisation of free time for professional tasks are effective strategies for career advancement in the legal sector, Arndell highlighted the potential ramifications of such practices.
“The problem with working long hours, not taking breaks, skipping holidays and using every spare moment to tick another item off our never-ending to-do list is that we don’t give ourselves space,” she said.
She also explained that this lack of downtime can result in lawyers becoming “tired, cranky, making mistakes and [experiencing] burnout”, which she warned can impair their ability to effectively serve their clients and families.
On a personal level, Arndell pointed out that the repercussions of incessant work could extend beyond the workplace, potentially straining personal relationships.
“At home, our partners, children and friends can become resentful when they see us checking our mobiles for the latest email that has come through – even though we’re meant to be out enjoying dinner or at a sporting match,” she said.
The importance of prioritising yourself
Arndell expressed how she believes that balancing personal time with professional responsibilities is the real key to achieving long-term success in the legal profession.
She noted that taking time away from work can enhance a lawyer’s effectiveness in their duties. “Going for a walk at lunch leads to solving that legal issue that has been playing on our minds,” she said.
Additionally, Arndell shared how “spending time having fun with our friends and family on the weekend” enables lawyers to rejuvenate themselves for the upcoming week, and “exploring new places on holidays” can “strengthen connections” with your colleagues.
As many lawyers encounter challenges using their free time for activities that will support themselves, Arndell advised them to remember they are “humans first and lawyers second”.
“Remember that we are humans first and lawyers second. If we’re not being fulfilled by doing things that we love with people that we love, we won’t be good lawyers.
“Focusing on personal time and putting ourselves first makes us better at our roles and makes a long career as a lawyer sustainable,” she said.
“We aren’t robots, and we shouldn’t act like we are. We don’t need to fill every six-minute window with billable time – and it can actually be detrimental when we do!”
