Most of the lawyers in my life are incredibly smart, admirably ambitious, and hold themselves to extremely high standards. You also have a long list of obligations and responsibilities and generally put yourself at the bottom of the list. But being more compassionate with yourself can help you be more resilient, more creative and more open to taking risks... It can help you be a better lawyer.
Below is a list of ideas and inspiration for building more SELF-COMPASSION into your daily life in law.
Celebrate Weekly Wins
- Take 5 mins each Monday (calendar it!) to
write down
10 things that went well the week prior. This will remind you of your awesomeness and recalibrate your mindset in our world of never-ending to-do lists.
Collect Evidence of Your Super Powers
- Filled with thoughtful notes from clients, a few stellar work products, and little reminders of my best days, the
Drawer of Jen
is my go-to when my inner critic needs to be silenced.
Reframe Failure as an Ingredient for Success
- Every great success story has setbacks that were crucial for leaps forward. Think of Michael Jordan...
Stop Ruminating (Like a Girl)
–
There's science behind women dwelling more than men, so women have to work even harder not to fall into the rumination trap. By identifying when we are wasting time & energy by dwelling, we can proactively take steps to stop –
- Don’t allow yourself to MSU: Make Stuff Up
- Share your worries (out loud) with people you trust
- Take action - even baby steps can rebuild confidence and redirect your energy
Plan Ahead and Schedule Self-Care
- Your future self will thank you!
