Inertia is a powerful foe. Long periods of no change fool us with a false sense of safety. Yet change is inevitable, whether sudden or expected. It forces one to look at life differently and to find a new purpose and direction. But finding a new purpose and fighting inertia are at odds. And the fight is real.
Our profession demands dedication, intellect, and, often, significant personal sacrifice. Our identities as lawyers are inextricably bound to what we do for a living. We also attach to the other roles in our lives (e.g., as parents) with the same zeal. Yet, for all of us, the time will come when the scales of our own priorities may tip, and the pursuit of a new purpose beckons. Triggering events might be a lateral move to a different career, adult children leaving the nest, a looming retirement, a sickness, job burnout, a simple desire for a fresh challenge, or an uneasy combination thereof. Daunting? No question. But finding a new purpose can be the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with meaning and fulfillment. Here are some tips to get in a productive mindset for your next act.
Embrace Change
View change not as the enemy but as a portal to something new, not synonymous with loss and failure, even if the change thrust upon you is not your choice. Truly respect change as an opportunity for growth and exploration, and to remove unsatisfying, staid patterns that are no longer useful or perhaps even possible.
This is particularly true for lawyer-parents whose kids have flown the coop. A critical part of a parent’s job is discharging, wherever possible, the obligation to launch independent humans. Even if the job has been dutifully performed, parents on move-in day at colleges are often a tearful mess when saying goodbye to their freshman children who look forward to their parents returning home (“How can I miss you if you don’t go?”).
When a change is imminent, consider embracing it. Know that it will take some time to figure out the next steps.
Reflect on Your Values
Kick off the dust and do some naval-gazing. What drives you beyond the courtroom, the boardroom, or the carpool line? What issues or causes resonate deeply with you? What drove you before your J.D., kids, and/or career? What events in your community do you enjoy? What about nonprofit organizations whose missions you like? If your answer is “I don’t know,” keep at it — you haven’t spent enough time thinking about it. The answers are there. You’re just not used to thinking about yourself in that way.
Examine what initially drew you to the law. What aspects of your legal career brought you the most satisfaction? Be honest. Reviewing the highs and lows of your career provides valuable insights with respect to your values, strengths, and areas of interest that will guide you toward your next chapter.
Avail Yourself of Advantages Provided by Change
Change presents advantages, even if your next step has not been decided or the change is not your choice. Perhaps your former life monopolized your time so much that you weren’t often on the “to-do” list, if at all. A legal career may be intellectually stimulating but may have left little room for cultivating personal interests outside of work. Do you even know what they are? It’s time to reconnect or develop those interests now that you have more time on your hands. Use the time to reconnect with loved ones. Travel. Develop new skills. Restore your sense of wonder.
Maybe your former life created financial burdens that no longer need to be fed at the same level or that you no longer need to bear because you are content to live on less (e.g., consider that a lesser salary may be synonymous with buying back your valuable time with which you can live life more meaningfully).
Perhaps a geographical change might be good. Explore the possibility of living in another city or taking a position requiring travel.
Be open to the advantages prompted by change. Focus on them while planning your next steps and redefining who you are.
Explore New Horizons
Transitioning from your current career, or maybe even from the law altogether, does not mean leaving behind your skills and experiences. Instead, it opens possibilities where those skills can be applied in different ways. Whether pursuing a passion project, starting a new business, or delving into a completely different field, allow yourself the freedom to explore different avenues. Try them on for size emotionally, daydream a bit, and see where it takes you.