Challenges of the Corporate and Law Firm Environment
Before I managed my own practice, I worked in traditional Corporate America for around seven years, where my life absolutely revolved around working incredibly long and demanding hours (i.e., “burning the candle at both ends”), having limited personal time (which put a huge strain on my physical and mental health), managing unnecessary and unreasonably tight deadlines, having little to no control over my workload and preferred matters, navigating interpersonal dynamics and the tension-filled and mentally-taxing “office politics,” and dealing with a hierarchical structure that limited advancement opportunities. Repeating this cycle daily lacked personal fulfillment in my life.
My experience is not unique. As attorneys, we deal with these struggles in both the corporate and law firm environments. We must manage the often wholly preventable crises that could have been avoided with proper planning, time management, and due diligence on everyone’s part. Things like missing mandatory reporting or disclosure deadlines; poorly drafting or reviewing contracts and transactions that lead to misunderstandings and litigation; mismanaging intellectual property filings and assets that result in infringement and disrupted branding; and failing to conduct proper financial due diligence, coupled with a vendor’s known insolvency, causing operational setbacks.
This is only a fraction of the “chaos” that attorneys face on a regular basis. Often, these challenges arise from factors beyond our control. So, to manage the stress that accompanies these situations effectively, attorneys must prepare both their minds and bodies to perform at their optimal best. In focusing on what we can control, we must first prioritize the care of our bodies.
Moving Beyond Quick Delivery for Better Health and Nutrition
Back in early 2023, when I started my journey as a now two-time (2X) marathon runner and published author on marathon running (see the book Running with Purpose: My Step-by-Step Guide to Marathon Training and Success), I knew that my old way of working and living had to change. I was eating a lot of takeout and processed foods and not cooking most of my meals at home. After a period of reflection, I challenged myself to do something that most junior and senior attorneys would find nearly impossible these days. I decided to go for an entire year without using any food delivery apps. That’s right—365 days—all of the year 2024. That included but was not limited to cutting out Uber Eats, GrubHub, Doordash, Seamless, Postmates, GoPuff, and Eat24.
Most of the meals I ordered through these delivery platforms in previous years ultimately cost me more time or money than I thought I might save. The food arrived cold, lukewarm, or soggy due to extended time between preparation, packaging, insulation, and delivery, impacting the food’s quality and requiring me to spend additional time reheating the food to my liking. Delivery items were consistently missing, incorrect, or otherwise tampered with due to a lack of diligence, oversight, and inconsistent training, causing me to spend more time and energy on phone calls with the restaurants and delivery platforms to resolve these issues and obtain appropriate refunds. On top of that, I was navigating the ever-increasing taxes, fees, service charges, hidden costs, and suggested tips on these delivery platforms, thereby inflating the price and perceived value of the meal.
I decided that enough was enough. No more purchases out of sheer laziness or quest for “convenience.” No more requesting food delivery late at night just to “treat myself.” Ordering food through delivery was not saving me time or money. Nor was food delivery offering me a reduction in stress, freeing up my time, or providing me with any modicum of convenience. Instead, I reverted to preparing most of my meals at home or otherwise on the spot.
Boosting Productivity and Well-Being Through Meal-Prepping
Giving up on meal delivery services and preparing meals for yourself benefits attorneys and marathon runners alike in many ways. Meal prepping or cooking on the spot while at home helps attorneys with heavy workloads by allowing them to create consistent and nutritious meals that fuel their long days, enhance focus, and reduce decision fatigue. Going this route also saves attorneys valuable time by eliminating the need to wait for delivery, step out to eat, or resolve food delivery issues, allowing us to stay laser-focused and productive on client matters. Additionally, it minimizes our stress by ensuring healthy options are readily available during busy schedules, supporting better energy management and overall well-being.
Throughout this year-long challenge, I gained far more control over the freshness, quality, and handling of my food and maintained high sanitary standards in the process. I have also achieved far better portion sizes relative to the price of items. Most importantly, I have bypassed the excess salt, oil, fats, and unknown additives and preservatives often used in restaurants and pre-prepared meals. For me, this has meant experiencing a significant boost in energy levels crucial for sustaining a busy legal practice and training in the gym for 10–15 hours per week. For attorneys generally, this approach promotes better health by enabling fresher, cleaner eating of meals free from heavy, artery-clogging ingredients and chemicals so that they can more efficiently support sustained energy levels essential for tackling long workdays and maintaining stamina to achieve a balanced lifestyle.
Once you commit to a positive habit long enough, it becomes second nature, and you stop craving the things that many people feel they can't live without. This shift can and will be incredibly impactful for attorneys, as it allows you to prioritize your health and well-being, even amid demanding schedules. By making mindful decisions about nutrition and lifestyle, you can experience dramatic improvements in energy, focus, and overall health, leading to better productivity and resilience during long hours of work. Ask yourself the following questions as you start considering the guidance provided herein:
- What specific health goals would I like to achieve in this new year (e.g., improve fitness, eat healthier, and manage stress)?
- How can I incorporate meal prep into my busy work schedule while balancing client demands?
- How can I overcome potential obstacles in making these changes, and what strategies can I use to address them?
- How can I track my progress (e.g., an app or a notebook) and hold myself accountable?
At the end of the day, we only get one body, and while we may be highly disposable and easily replaceable in the workplace, our health and well-being are irreplaceable. This makes it essential to prioritize self-care and invest—through discipline, planning, and commitment—in the long-term sustainability of our most valuable asset: ourselves.
