Be your heart’s own advocate.
By Aaron H. Wallace, Esq.
Valentine’s Day might not seem like the most lawyerly holiday, but your heart means more to your practice than you realize. Here are five reasons why:
1. Lawyers are especially prone to stress-related illness.
Attorneys in America experience above-average incidence of heart attack, high blood pressure, and heart disease. February is American Heart Month, so take the occasion to step back and reassess your relationship with… your career. If stress is a constant companion, make a plan now to incorporate exercise, “well-being breaks,” and work-life balance in your daily routine. Heart health can’t wait.
2. In life, “partner” means more than the top spot at a law firm.
It’s the people we love — and who love us — that give life meaning. Give friends and family the time and attention they deserve. Personal fulfillment fuels professional excellence!
3. As lawyers, we’re at our best when our work comes from the heart.
Today, ask yourself, “Why did I want to become a lawyer?” It’s likely your heart was the hero in that origin story. Tap back into that passion. Make it your rocket fuel.
4. We lawyers need each other.
Depression, anxiety, and loneliness are among the great vexes of the profession. Ring true for you? You’re not alone. In fact, a study reported in the Harvard Business Review found that more than 60% of lawyers report above-average levels of loneliness. The pandemic may have exacerbated those feelings. Here are some tips for navigating loneliness as a lawyer:
- Consider asking your bar community about upcoming virtual social events and sign up!
- At the same time, start creating a social life that exists apart from your career by reviving old friendships that have grown dormant. Reaching out can feel uncomfortable, but ask yourself how you would feel if a long-lost friend suddenly gave you a call.
- Think about adopting a pet. They need companionship too!
- Explore your health coverage for counseling services.
- Download the ABA’s Well-Being Toolkit for Lawyers and Legal Employers.
5. Lawyers can use the annual reminder to “be kind.”
Not everything that comes from the heart is constructive. As lawyers, anger and irritation can sometimes feel like easy impulses. But treating others (even opposing counsel!) with patience and loving respect can make our professional lives more fulfilling — and it can lead to better outcomes too!
Become a Member with Florida Lawyers Mutual
Florida Lawyers Mutual is committed to fostering lawyer well-being in the Sunshine State. As a mutual company, we exist to serve lawyers like you. We care about our members, their well-being, and their whole-person lives (personal and professional combined). To learn more, visit our Florida Lawyer Well-Being Resource Center, listen to our Music Playlist for Florida Lawyer Well-Being, and submit a quick online application to become a member and access more great well-being resources.
