No matter what you do for a living, but especially if you support other people in likely stressful situations, ahem, lawyers, burnout is real. And you may not even recognize it when it's starting. For many, burnout just sneaks up on you. It starts out as feeling a bit, well, overwhelmed. Then, it doesn't seem to stop. The overwhelming feeling just continues and you are running on a mix of caffeine and adrenalin. Yeah, we've all been there. But what can you do about it?
The first step is to identify if it is burnout. Stress and burnout have a lot in common, as you may imagine. If it's burnout, common traits include being critical or cynical about work, having trouble getting going each day when it's time to work, being touchy or irritable with clients or co-workers, finding it difficult to focus, changes in your appetite, and feeling drained, among others. Generally speaking, if you aren't feeling like working much, well, it could be burnout. Not to say that anyone gets up every day looking forward to going to work. The real test is if it lasts over an extended period of time. That could be a few weeks or more.
Sometimes, burnout at work happens because of other issues in our lives. You know, things like a global pandemic. Be sure to give yourself the time to identify the source of your feelings for not wanting to work. Is it solely because of work? Or maybe you are antsy for a change after such a crazy period.
If it is job burnout, consider what is causing you to feel burned out. Obviously, having too much to do is one big source. Simply put, you can only do what you can do. When expectations are beyond your healthy capability, well, that's probably one possible cause of burnout. As a result, you may not get enough work-life balance. And we all know that all work and no play makes us, well, unhappy. Repetitive tasks can be a driver of burnout. When it feels like you are in a bit of a groundhog day, well, that drives burnout for sure. Lack of control over your work content and day is another driver. Too much pressure increases burnout. Lack of recognition for achievements can also cause burnout.
The point here is to give yourself the space and time to identify what is driving the work burnout. You can only fix what is broken when you identify the issues.
Now, it's highly unlikely a medals ceremony will be held for you when you complete a big case. But there are other ways to recognize your accomplishments. And it doesn't need to be a big, expensive, or time-consuming process either. I've been obsessed with a new health-focused drink called heywell. I can't tell you how good it is and it really does give me a lift in my spirits. So when I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, I grab one. It's an easy way to 'treat' myself without adding to the situation; I'm looking at you, martini. You get the idea. Find the thing that gives you a bit of a boost that won't cause other problems.
For most attorneys, it's tough to change client expectations. Everyone wants their cases settled efficiently, within certain cost parameters, and a specific outcome. Obviously, that's not always possible Set expectations with your clients before you take on their case. And if things get rough, well, it's part of the process. And remember, hate the sin, love the sinner. Everyone is subject to burnout.
We've written many times about dealing with stress as an attorney. And, as you may imagine, there are many of the same elements when dealing with burnout. Get some exercise. Moving your body clears your mind and gives your body some awesome endorphins. Try some meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness techniques. Protect your sleep. Without enough sleep, it all goes downhill. Change your work location, if you can. It may only be moving from the kitchen table to the couch or hopefully, going to the office or something. Switch it up. A change of venue helps.
Burnout is a more common occurrence than most people think. But by addressing what you can, taking a proactive approach, and keeping it in check, you can get back to enjoying what you do. There was a reason you became an attorney. Remember to not lose sight of your 'why'.