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5 essential strategies for a fulfilling work life
In today’s fast-paced, demanding world, burnout has become a common experience. Lawyers are no exception, writes Victoria Moffat.
Victoria Moffat
While legal work is incredibly fulfilling, it can also, by nature, be stressful, exhausting and feel all-encompassing. Industry-wide, we hear that ultra-competitive professional cultures and excessive hours are leading to overworked lawyers and widespread wellness and mental health struggles. Lawyer burnout isn’t inevitable, however, especially if you can manage it through intentional strategies and a supportive workplace environment and clients.
Take a break
Despite working for the last eight years of my career in a firm where wellbeing is genuinely prioritised, I have struggled to feel comfortable taking an extended break while trying to achieve my professional ambitions. Recently, I was supported (and heavily encouraged) by my team and director to take some time away from work after a particularly stressful period. I utilised long service leave and travelled both solo and with friends around Europe. The combination of being able to totally switch off and experience life away from the office and the law helped me to get the rest I needed. It surprised me how well rested my brain felt when I returned, and it was a stark reminder of why time away is a necessity for success.
Foster a supportive network of lawyers
Working as a lawyer can be a unique and isolating experience. The imperative to keep client information confidential means that it can be difficult to decompress and debrief a workday with friends and family. I have had the good fortune to work with incredibly interesting, funny and kind lawyers during my career, who have been key to my ability to thrive and deal with the stresses of the job. In my experience, it’s a relief to share experiences with other lawyers, trained to think in the same way as I do. I’ve collected a network of lawyer friends in each of the legal roles I’ve held, and it has been vital to sustaining positive mental health.
Practice gratitude
Lawyers are generally in a fortunate category of people. We are educated, well paid, and have the opportunity to engage with fascinating people and work. I have found that gratitude for these enjoyable parts of our job helps train your brain to notice and appreciate the little things in life. In doing so, your life experience improves. Gratitude can increase your happiness and wellbeing, life satisfaction and even overall health, while decreasing the things we all want less of like anxiety, depression, and anger. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity.
Pursue a fulfilling work environment
Choosing to work in an environment that values me and aligns with my personal values has been fundamental to my enjoyment of life. If you don’t feel fulfilled where you are working, you can go on as many holidays as you like, but it’s unlikely to improve your overall quality of life.
I encourage other lawyers to take a proactive approach in actively implementing strategies to foster an enjoyable and sustainable work life. There is no doubt that being a lawyer is demanding, but burnout is not an inevitability. It’s important to prioritise wellbeing regardless of the challenges we face in achieving results for our clients and ourselves.
Victoria Moffat is the associate director of corporate at Burch&Co.
