Most lawyers are stressed out because they have too many obligations.
Some of those obligations are ones directly related to practicing law.
But many are optional commitments we agree to “just because it seemed like a good idea.”
Either way, the problem now is you’re overwhelmed.
The cult of law-tech zealots promises that you can use automation to teleport your way out of your misery. But that’s ridiculous.
Automation can help you do certain tasks faster.
But automation takes time to set up, to fine-tune, and to monitor to see if it’s really doing the amazing job it was supposed to do.
Sadly, what you really need to be more selective about the workload you agree to take on.
Is that speech you agreed to give really going to help you get more clients? And, if so, how exactly?
You’re not sure are you? Well, that’s a shame…
Because now you’ve got two days left to submit the written materials the organizer needs to ensure they can get CLE credit for the attendees.
Don’t feel bad about getting yourself into this jam. Learn how to avoid doing it again.
Wanna know the simple solution?
Stop agreeing to do so many things for so many people that are always imploring you to help.
The reason you feel stress is you’re not focused enough on the big prize.
The “big prize” is creating a practice that’s more easily managed because it requires less of your time and energy to manage it.
Technology will not help you focus on the prize (more likely it will distract you).
You can’t automate your way into a practice that’s smooth-running.
You have to learn to focus on the long-term goal, and that means…
You have to say no to the hundreds of less important things that you keep getting side-tracked by.
And when you start shedding the petty obligations that are dragging you down…
You can concentrate on the few important things that really matter.
Will it be easy to shed these insidious obligations? No, but only because of your mindset.
You believe that somehow it’s your duty to solve all these sporadic problems that people are only too happy to present you with.
You believe that every email that winds up in your inbox deserves a reply, even if it came out of the blue from someone you haven’t heard from in months.
Stop believing in things that are dragging you down.
Believe this instead: you can have the life you want if you’re willing to work for it.
But you’ll have to say “NO” to the things will create unnecessary friction.
That’s how you’ll escape this feeling of overwhelm and find your way to freedom and happiness.
Give it a try. You used to be good at saying no.
And you probably enjoyed it.
Channel your inner 5-year old and see how it feels.
I predict it will feel pretty good.
P.S. If you want a practice optimized for remote work & virtual collaboration, get this 24-page guide.
