As you become slaves of the searching result “local attorneys near me“, serving clients, running the biz, kids, parents, friends, household, volunteer activities, holidays…there is always so. Much. To. Do. As one who works with lawyers regularly to help them get more done in less time so that they can free up space for their highest and best activities, you’d think I would have it all figured out by now.
That I was cruising through my day, productive consistently but at a comfortable pace, having my schedule planned out in such a way that I could shut down the computer at a decent hour and enjoy every evening and weekend in enjoyable repose with my family.
Of course, there are those days when I feel like I have it for the most part under control, while on others, everything can feel-what one of my favorite sayings described from one of my clients-akin to a dumpster fire.
Overcommitting is a particular challenge commonly facing attorneys.
Overcommitting is an old trap for lawyers.
Ironically, research into the common personality types of attorneys will show that the wiring in the brain of most attorneys literally predisposes them to being reliable, responsible, and productive. Those 3 things are so baked into who they are that they’ll earnestly run themselves into the ground trying to prove to themselves and others just how reliable, responsible, and productive they really are.
Social expectations make it even harder for women.
Time keeps moving, and yet women are still expected to:
We say YES when people ask us to be helpful. We were socialized at an early age that is what a “nice girl” does.
Do more with running the household and in the social calendar.
Assume the lion’s share in the duties of parenting. Volunteer in the community and make a difference in the life of others. Those expectations translate into the office environment, where many women wind up doing more “office work” then men. Extra office work-administrative tasks, morale lifting, or coordinating client meetings-are mission-critical to the health of a firm.