Oftentimes when an attorney reaches mid-career, she or he finds it difficult to stay motivated without making adjustments. However, there are steps you can take to reenergize your career. Here are five ways to help you mid-career:
Avoid Burnout
Somewhere along the line, most attorneys begin to feel that they are unsure they made the right choice(s) in their career. Often at this point, we begin to tell ourselves “I’ll get out when it’s no longer fun.” We claim “I just need to settle one more big case, then I’m outta here.” We think “I’m too young to retire, but too old to try something new.” All of these statements have one thing in common…they are a path to burnout.
Avoiding burnout seems to be a no-brainer. But too many of us choose the path of least resistance. We are comfortable doing our work, but no longer stimulated by it. We like the pay we receive, but long for something more rewarding than just monetary gain. We wonder where our passion went, and lie to ourselves that “it’s just part of getting older.”
The majority of the time, most attorneys in this position know that they are lying to themselves. At some level, they know that they need to make plans to exit, or change their practice. Yet many choose to remain on the path to burn out. Why is that? Everyone has a different answer, but the answers all boil down to “I’m scared.”
Change is a scary proposition. You are giving up the known for the unknown. Yet, during burnout, your “known” situation is dragging you away from the life you want to live. You spend more time at the office, but get less done. You become frustrated with your co-workers, and even worse, with your clients. You know changes need to be made, but you pretend everything will be OK.
How do you avoid burnout? First, you must acknowledge that it exists and that you can be its victim. Acclaimed lawyer, Jim Dwyer once told me “as lawyers, we are used to identifying the problems in cases to help our clients. It is amazing how often we fail to use those same skills to identify problems in our own lives.”
Second, you must make changes to recapture the joy you had when you first started. You must rediscover your “why.”
Find Your “Why”
“Most people know what they do. Many know how. Few know why.” These are the words of my mentor coach, David Krueger, MD and they ring true regarding my own legal career. I know I am a lawyer and also that I am good at what I do. What I struggle with is “why.” Is it the money? The status? Or merely because I have been doing this for over 20 years?
Like many of you, when I went to law school I did so because I believed I could help change the world. Then I ran into the realities of paying off student loans, buying a house, and making sure I could cover payroll for my staff. Somewhere along the line I forgot the passion that drew me to law school in the first place. I had lost my “Why.”
When I started contemplating the why, I came to the realization that in order for me to be the best at whatever I want to do, I need to figure out why I am doing it. It is an ongoing discovery and has aided me in both my legal career and my coaching career. Here are three ways to help you discover your “Why.”
Purpose
It is a large question, but one you have to answer. What is your purpose? Are you here merely to make money and consume, or is there a larger calling for you? Deciding on that larger calling can direct your outlook and help you find a greater purpose in your life and career.
Strengths
Think about your strengths and weaknesses. Are you good in court, but rely on forms when it comes to paperwork? Do you love helping clients, but despise the day to day business management issues? Look to things that you are good at and where your weaknesses lie. From there you can look at ways to use your abilities in a more satisfying and rewarding way.
How Do You Want to Be Remembered
Stu Sugerman practiced criminal defense in Portland. Stu organized the local criminal defense bar to volunteer their time and expertise in defending protesters pro bono. He died suddenly at the age of 52, just last March. At the induction ceremonies for new bar admittees in September, Deputy District Attorney Jeff Howe gave a speech entirely about his opposing counsel of many years, Stu Sugarman. It is amazing to think that the most important thing a prosecutor felt that he needed to tell new lawyers is the life story of a public defender.
The best way to discover your “why” is by answering the following question: “When I am dead and gone, how will my family, friends, or even defense counsel remember me?” Some people will answer that they want to be remembered as the best lawyer in the state. Others will say they want to be remembered for getting to the Supreme Court. Only you can discover your own “why.”