Recognizing and Combating Occupational Burnout

Lawyer stress is, and likely always will be, an inescapable part of our profession. The constantly expanding “next day to your doorstep” expectations for deliveries of books, iPhone accessories, and cat toys, as well as streaming on demand, fuel ever growing performance expectations from clients and colleagues. Perfectionists by nature, we buy into these demands.

We tell ourselves it isn’t enough just to be a great practitioner anymore. These days, our job descriptions include mentor, author, speaker, business developer, public servant, and profit center, among any number of other expectations. The stress we feel is real and justified, but it need not sabotage the fulfillment that we know exists in our great calling.