By Marta Manus
Life has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need practice in. Nearly nine years into my career as a class action attorney, I burned out big time. Years of living in a constant state of stress reaction mode in a toxic work environment led to multiple ER visits, a prescription for anxiety meds, chronic headaches, and constant muscle pain in my neck and shoulders. Ordinary tasks that used to take me a few hours began taking much longer and I found it increasingly difficult to focus on anything work-related. I was disengaged, disillusioned and dissatisfied. I wasn’t simply having a few bad days, this was serious burnout, and while I knew that something needed to change, I didn’t quite know how or what.
Genuine burnout isn’t just a bad couple of days. It literally steals all motivation, energy and drive. It makes you feel physically and emotionally exhausted, cynical, detached and overall pessimistic about work and life. It’s not uncommon for people who experience burnout to still go through the motions like I did. They still make it into the office and get the job done but it becomes almost robotic and completely uninspired.
For me, the realization that I was burnt out finally came one day while I was in my office writing a motion. Suddenly I could not read the words on my computer screen. There were blank spots in each word where letters should have been. I thought my computer was malfunctioning and called our office manager to help me fix my computer. As I explained to her what was happening, a very confused look came across her face as if I’d lost my mind. She told me that could read the words just fine and that I needed to go home immediately to lay down. Apparently I was about to have an ocular migraine. My ocular migraine made me realize that if I didn’t make a serious change, I’d continue down the path to destruction. So, I did what any rational attorney would do – I quit my job with no plan.
Not long after leaving the firm where I’d spent my entire legal career, I came across this quote: “There is no such thing as work/life balance. You have to find the balance within.” It struck a deep cord, making me question everything about how lawyers and the legal profession function. Let’s just say it’s less than optimal functioning and the profession as a whole could use a mindset makeover. I began to wonder why lawyers, these high-IQ, high achievers, are so good at advocating for others and yet so terrible at taking care of themselves? Why do lawyers have one of the highest suicide rates? Why do they wear their stress and busyness as a badge of honor? Most importantly, I asked myself, “what can I do to change the way I’m showing up in work and life and create balance within myself?” After taking a few months off to travel, rest and reset, I completed a coaching certification program. I made it my mission to help lawyers move beyond burnout to thrive in work and life.
One of the most important things you can do to take care of yourself is to be on the lookout for early signs of burnout, either in yourself or the lawyers who work for you. Recognizing the onset of burnout can minimize the effects and possibly even prevent it. Some common signs of burnout include: emotional and physical exhaustion, lack of motivation and energy, disillusionment with work and life, lack of ability to focus, decreased productivity, loss of desire to do things that used to bring you joy, and an overall feeling of dread when you think about work. If you’re on the fringe of burnout, it might be time to make a change.
Here are some things you can do to move beyond burnout: (1) reevaluate whether you’re doing work that is aligned with your core values; (2) set aside one hour each day for self-care (reading, walking, relaxing, meditating); (3) take mini conscious breaks throughout your workday before jumping from one task to the next; and (4) don’t be afraid to ask for help from supportive friends, family, and colleagues. If you see someone on the fringe of burnout, offer to listen and help. Law firms can do their part by creating healthy workplaces that allow lawyers to take time for themselves and ask for help when they need it.
I managed to get to the other side of burnout. My work now gives me a sense of purpose, contribution and meaning. With self-awareness and a supportive community, lawyers can move beyond burnout to thrive in work and life.
Marta Manus is an attorney and Certified Professional Coach with Marta Manus Coaching.