Thriving, not just surviving
In the busy and demanding legal sector, being resourceful is essential for success, especially for younger professionals facing stress and heavy workloads for the first time. This article explores ways to develop resilience and build resourcefulness.
LawCare's helpline volunteers often speak with trainees and junior lawyers who feel overwhelmed by criticism, challenging office cultures, and heavy workloads. This can make some question whether a legal career is right for them and if they have the skills to succeed.
However, resourcefulness and resilience are skills that can be developed over time. This article focuses on resourcefulness instead of resilience, shifting from just enduring challenges to actively overcoming them. The message is clear - you can learn new skills to help you handle difficult situations at work better.
49% of people who get in touch with LawCare for emotional support are experiencing severe workplace stress
People tell us they feel overworked and unappreciated. After years of studying and hard work, they find the job isn't what they expected. They struggle to complete their tasks and keep up with the constant demands.
- One caller to the helpline said: “I’m both micro-managed and under-supported. The work I am given is high-volume but low quality. I would just like some positive feedback, or to feel valued.”
- Another caller, who had been qualified for six months, was handling work from two offices and was expected to manage emails even while on holiday. Although their manager had agreed to reduce their workload, nothing had changed. The caller felt stuck and did not want to leave the firm.
- With 18 months of experience, one young lawyer took time off and received counselling for stress but is now back at work. His employer suggested seeing occupational health. LawCare’s helpline volunteer agreed and also talked to him about building resilience to manage everyday stress, and self-help strategies.
Ways to become more resourceful
If you’re experiencing similar challenges and feeling overwhelmed by the demands of your job, you might find it helpful to explore resources and strategies that can provide support. Here are some suggestions:
- Remember, most situations are temporary. The adage "This too shall pass" is particularly relevant in high-stress environments like law. Recognising that most situations are temporary can help you maintain perspective and manage how you respond. Perhaps you could try to view challenges as hurdles rather than dead ends. Also try to remember times when you successfully coped with difficulties: this can boost your confidence in your ability to handle current challenges.
- Try to learn from your experiences. Ask yourself, "what am I learning from this experience?" or "what is it teaching me?". This helps you grow both personally and professionally and allows you to bounce back more quickly from setbacks.
- It's important to differentiate between ability and capacity. You might be very capable, but you can still feel overwhelmed if the demands are too high. Understanding this difference can help manage your workload better. In many cases it is the situation which needs to change, and it is not a reflection on your abilities.
- Sometimes, stress occurs when your expectations don't match reality. By making your expectations more realistic, you can reduce unnecessary stress and focus on achievable solutions. A newly qualified solicitor contacted LawCare because she was feeling overwhelmed at the stress she was under at work. She had faced some family difficulties in the middle of her exams, and on qualifying had moved to a large firm. She was encouraged to recognise that she was still getting over the family issues and exam stress and that it would take time to settle into the new workplace. She was also reminded that while she had been a high achiever at University she was now at a top law firm with others who had excelled and couldn’t expect to be best at everything.
- Finally, resourcefulness does not mean that you have to endure everything through gritted teeth. Recognising when a situation is untenable and calling it out is equally a mark of resourcefulness. It's crucial for everyone to know when to seek change, whether it's asking for a more manageable workload or calling out some office banter.
Developing resourcefulness is key not just to surviving but to thriving in the legal sector
It is important to believe in yourself and have confidence in your abilities. This can significantly impact how effectively you handle stress and adversity and maintain composure and assertiveness in challenging situations.
Similarly, you must be kind to yourself. Self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding during difficult times that you would treat a friend. For many people working in the legal sector, this means recognising that perfection is unattainable and that making mistakes does not reflect on your overall capabilities or worth.
We're here to listen...without judgement