Love Your Work Again: Reconnecting with the Practice

Falling out of love is never a good feeling, especially when it’s with your job, but it can happen so easily for legal professionals. With tough cases, heavy workloads, and long hours, it’s no surprise that lawyers experience significant burn out and resentment. The average small to mid-size firm attorney works 42-54 hours per week (more like 66+ at large firms) which is a lot of time to spend doing something you don’t love, or even like. It’s no surprise that there are numerous health issues linked to disliking your job.

The good news is this doesn’t have to end in a career crisis or a career change. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner; let us be your “love guru” and help you connect, or reconnect, with the parts of the practice you enjoy so you can get back to loving what you do.

Retrace your steps. Look back through your career and try to pinpoint when you stopped enjoying the work you’ve been doing. Did you start doing work primarily within one specific specialty when you used to be more of a “jack of all trades”? Or maybe you switched practice sizes and don’t like the environment it comes with. Whatever it is, try to spot what has changed, and see what can be improved.

Back to the basics. Ask yourself what made you become a lawyer. Did you end up achieving that goal? If not, maybe it’s time to try. Or, if it’s something you’ve drifted away from over the years but remember once loving, try finding your way back. Many attorneys start wanting to make big contributions to issues they care about, but find that economic realities end up dictating their career. Pro bono work can be a great way to give back and put pep back in your step. 

Be curious and research. It’s easy to think that where you are now is where you have to stay, but that isn’t true. If you wish you could change practice areas, then look into it. It takes commitment and discipline, but it is possible, and it may be the change you need. Some attorneys pick up fractional projects in a practice area of interest to help build up their experience and expertise before they make the leap.

Assess your priorities. What is your driving motivation? Are you working towards having your own practice? No matter what it is, make sure it’s what you really want. Situations change and priorities can shift. Sometimes you can be chasing a goal that you don’t realize you no longer want. It’s good to check in from time to time to make sure the work you’re putting in is worth it. And when you truly can’t change anything in your career, look to activities outside of work for fulfillment until you have a little more agency. Hobbies can pour some energy back into your cup and actually make you better at your job as well.

And remember, if you are feeling desperate for a change, NOW is always the best time to get started. Your future self will thank you for taking baby steps in the direction of your passion and contentment. You just might find yourself falling in love with law again. Happy Valentine’s Day from Hire an Esquire!