Att Pro Tip – Let’s Go Fly a Kite: Recognizing and Preventing Burnout

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After surveying the state of the nursery at the Banks’ family home, Mary Poppins cheerily sang, “For every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”  If you aren’t feeling the fun in your work right now, it might be time to assess whether you are headed toward burnout, a seemingly ever-present threat to a lawyer’s professional satisfaction and overall mental health and well-being. So, stir a spoonful of sugar in your coffee and read on to determine whether you are currently experiencing or at risk for burnout.

Occupational burnout is characterized by three core dimensions:

• Emotional exhaustion – While this likely needs no explanation, understand that if you are constantly on edge or irritable at work or home you may be headed toward burnout. Evaluate whether your state of feeling emotionally drained or depleted is affecting your work.
• Depersonalization – Depersonalization is a detachment from your work and colleagues. If you find yourself becoming uncharacteristically cynical about your clients and the legal system in general, you might be due for a break.
• Reduced sense of accomplishment – As lawyers, we take pride in our ability to help our clients navigate complex legal matters. If you consistently feel that your work is meaningless or that you’re not good enough at your job, you may withdraw from challenging tasks or procrastinate on important deadlines. As such, experiencing a reduced sense of accomplishment increases the risk of a legal malpractice claim arising from a missed court deadline or failure to timely communicate with clients.

Dr. Kevin Coss, Community Health Network’s Chief Wellness Officer in Indianapolis, Indiana, explains that a lawyer’s ability to recognize the signs of impending burnout is difficult due to the challenging nature of legal work. “In such a highly demanding career, we begin to normalize extreme stress. This, in turn, reduces self-awareness; we convince ourselves that we’re okay and things aren’t really that bad.” Dr. Coss describes burnout as a silent epidemic in the legal profession, with approximately 51% of mid- or senior-level associates experiencing symptoms of burnout. One in four lawyers suffers from clinical depression, a percentage that is significantly higher than the general population. This has likely contributed to lawyers misusing alcohol as a coping mechanism, with nearly 20% of lawyers qualifying as problem drinkers.

So, if you have identified you are burned out, how can you address it? Unlike Jane and Michael who simply needed to tidy their playroom, we can’t just “Snap!” and make the job a game. However, there are practical steps you can take to combat burnout and find joy and satisfaction in your job again. Consider these tips:

• Take a vacation – Perhaps the most obvious way to reset, but what better to time to get away than summer break? And if you need to justify a trip, consider it a risk management best practice! Time away from the office is crucial to ensuring you stay sharp and competent as Model Rule 1.1 requires. If leaving town isn’t an option, make plans for a well-deserved staycation to relax or tackle that home improvement project you have been putting off.
• Set boundaries – Although certain clients may expect you to be “on call,” consider communicating your expected response time if you are away from the office or advise when you will be available. You might also turn off notifications after business hours so you can enjoy your personal time without interruption. And – although it is easier said than done – assess your capacity to take on more work when you are already stretched thin. Consider whether someone else in your firm can take the lead on the new matter or perhaps refer the case to a trusted colleague.
• Practice self-care – Not just a buzzword in the wellness industry, self-care may be the key to helping you stave off complete burnout. Prioritize your sleep, get some exercise, or spend time outdoors to recharge your body and mind. You may not feel “practically perfect in every way,” but you can return to the office refreshed to tackle the day.
• Seek professional help – Reach out to a mentor or consider contacting your state’s Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) for resources to support your mental health. Although lawyers are known for their grit and accustomed to pushing through stressful seasons at work, you do not have to do it alone. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance and support if you need it.

Without question, lawyers facing overwhelming workloads and self-imposed perfectionism are at greater risk for burnout. So, take a minute to assess and recognize whether you have unaddressed symptoms of burnout. Regardless of how you choose to combat it, hopefully implementing these tips and best practices – and enjoying a little R&R – will allow you to return to the office feeling Supercalifragilisticexbealidocious!

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