Welcome to LAW-LIFE SUMMER GUIDE: a summer edition of my newsletter, that will provide you with a proven process for achieving your first truly balanced summer as a lawyer.
How? By helping you to:
- Create and plan a summer that suits your needs and is well-balanced.
- Manage your workload and increase productivity to have more free time.
- Develop a positive mindset to enjoy your time off without feeling guilty.
However, let’s start with the most important step. To achieve all of this, we need to take a crucial FIRST step today – answering one question: What does a balanced law-life summer mean to you?
This may seem like a simple question, but based on my experience working with numerous clients, I can confidently say that the concept of a “balanced summer” varies for different lawyers. It can range from activities like hiking through Alaska, leisurely strolling through cobblestone streets adorned with bougainvillea in the south of Italy, partying in Ibiza, going camping, or even dedicating time to writing a dissertation. The list goes on.
And since there isn’t a singular notion of a balanced summer, you need to create your own.
If you’re not accustomed to this type of work, it may feel unfamiliar, but stick with me as I guide you through an exercise that will transition you from a vague desire for more free time this summer to specific and actionable activities already scheduled in your calendar, without negatively affecting your career.
And yes, this is crucial because your best summer begins with you. So it’s important to gain self-awareness of what you truly want. This step is also always the first part of my LAW-LIFE SUCCESS CODE, a three-step process designed for busy lawyers to establish a sustainable system for long-term balance.
Makes sense? Let’s start:
Set aside 15 minutes, grab your journal or a piece of paper, and write down your answers to each of these questions:
QUESTION 1 – VISION
If you could describe your best-balanced summer so far, what would it look like?
To provide further guidance, consider these sub-questions:
- What activities would you engage in?
- What are some things you would avoid doing?
- Who would you spend your time with?
- Which travel destinations would you visit?
- What achievements would you strive for?
- What new things would you like to learn?
- What memorable experiences would you seek?
QUESTION 2 – LIST
Now that we have a clearer understanding of what an ideal summer balance looks like, let’s get more specific and practical about it.
Take a look at your previous description and list all the concrete elements of your vision for an ideal balanced summer:
- What specific actions will you take?
- What actions will you avoid?
- What habits will you cultivate?
- What trips or travels will you embark on?
- Is there anything else you would like to include?
By the end of this exercise, you should have a list (or rather, a bucket list) that represents what the best balanced summer actually means to you. This level of clarity is essential for navigating situations when work piles up and demands take over (it also forms the core of my LAW-LIFE SUCCESS CODE).
QUESTION 3 – SCHEDULE
Once you have clarity, you are more likely to take action on what you truly want – remember, action thrives on clarity. However, the legal profession can present challenges, whether it’s summer or not, so it’s important to strengthen your arsenal and equip yourself with the best tools available.
And what is the ultimate tool? Your mindset.
As vague as it may sound, what I truly mean is your genuine commitment to follow through.
We often desire many things, but we only truly dedicate ourselves to a few. This distinction makes all the difference. Therefore, in this step, check in with yourself to ensure you are genuinely committed to these actions.
Remember – “must-haves” get done, while “should-haves” are often neglected.
For each element, write down why you are absolutely committed to achieving it:
- What will you gain if you follow through?
- What will you miss out on if you don’t?
- Who, besides yourself, will benefit from your commitment?
- How will your future be impacted by this change?
QUESTION 4 – MOTIVATION
Now that you know what you truly want to experience this summer and why, we won’t stop at that.
We will take an extra step and decide WHEN each item will be accomplished. Remember, what is scheduled gets done!
For each action or element of your balanced summer vision, set a specific time and date for when you will engage in them. Don’t worry about the nitty-gritty details just yet; focus on brainstorming those dates.
Once you have completed this step, take a comprehensive look at your schedule and realistically assess if you can pull off your plan. Make any necessary adjustments and THEN (this step is crucial) put it all in your calendar.
QUESTION 5 – PLAN
This final step will solidify your plan for a balanced summer – it’s an action plan.
To keep things simple (as action planning can sometimes get complicated), let’s use my 1-3-5 method, which is part of my LAW-LIFE SUCCESS CODE.
This method involves identifying three essential things that need to happen for each action point, and for each of those three things, breaking them down into up to five smaller action plans.
Not every element will require this level of detail (such as going for cocktails after work with friends), but larger trips (like a holiday in Europe) will benefit from this approach.
Now, if you have completed this process, you should have a crystal-clear understanding of what your ideal balanced summer means to you, how it realistically fits into your needs and schedule, why it is an absolute must, and specifically what you need to do in order to make it happen.
Are you still struggling to enjoy a work-life balance this summer amidst your demanding job?
Then you might need additional support, guidance, and mindset strategies.
I invite you to book a FREE DISCOVERY CALL with me to explore how my mentorship can provide the assistance you seek. With my LAW-LIFE SUCCESS CODE, a proven 3-step method designed specifically for busy lawyers, you, just like my clients, can achieve and sustain a harmonious work-life balance. Take this opportunity to discover the transformative impact my mentorship can have on your life. Don’t wait, schedule your free discovery call today!
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