“I am happy because I’m grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.”

-Will Arnett

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by stress? Do you have days you feel that simply nothing goes right? Do you see other people who appear so happy and wish you felt like that? I know I have. One critical tool in overcoming those feelings is having a practice of gratitude.

In the demanding and high-stress world of law, cultivating gratitude can be a transformative and invaluable tool for lawyers. Incorporating gratitude into our professional lives enhances well-being, improves mental health, reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and fosters a positive outlook. By expressing appreciation for the positive aspects of our work, acknowledging the support received, and recognizing the opportunities within our profession, we can experience increased job satisfaction, resilience, and a more profound sense of purpose. In this newsletter, we will discuss what gratitude is and the obstacles to practicing gratitude in our profession. We will review the gifts of practicing gratitude daily and detail some steps to create a gratitude practice that frees you from some of the stresses of our practice. 

What exactly is gratitude?

Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful, appreciative, and acknowledging the kindness, help, and benefits received from others. We recognize and show gratitude for the positive aspects of life, including the people, experiences, and opportunities that contribute to our well-being and happiness.

Expressing gratitude involves more than just saying "thank you." It means a genuine appreciation and recognition of the value that we have received. We can express our gratitude towards individuals, such as friends, family members, mentors, or even strangers who have shown kindness, and towards intangible aspects of life, such as nature, good health, personal accomplishments, or the opportunities that come our way.

What obstacles do we face as lawyers when attempting to practice gratitude?

We face many competing pressures and tensions that can interfere with our gratitude. These are some of them:

Time Pressures: We have such demanding schedules with billable hour requirements, multiple cases, client meetings, court appearances, and deadlines to manage. Those pressures interfere with our ability to feel grateful;

High-Stress Environment: We work in so many high-pressure situations, demanding workloads, and long hours, which can make it challenging to find time and mental space for gratitude practices.

Negative Outlook: We are frequently exposed to the adversarial nature of legal proceedings, conflicts, and dealing with demanding clients or cases. This exposure can lead to a more cynical or negative mindset, making it harder to adopt a gratitude practice.

Perfectionism and High Expectations: Don’t many of us struggle with perfectionism? Don’t our expectations often create stress? The legal profession often encourages a perfectionistic mindset, striving for excellence and focusing on what needs to be improved or corrected. This mindset can make it difficult to shift focus towards gratitude and appreciating what is already present.

Emotional Toll: Don’t we frequently handle emotionally charged situations, traumatic events, and intense courtroom battles? They take a toll on our emotional well-being. This emotional challenge makes it more difficult to be grateful.

Competitive Environment: Don’t we face competition every day? Contests with other lawyers, internal competition in our firm, and other lawyers for business are everyday experiences for all of us. This competition fosters a sense of comparison and rivalry among lawyers. This may create a mindset focused on achievement and success rather than gratitude and appreciation.

Lack of Awareness: Don’t many of us struggle with being mindful and truly present under all these pressures? Some of us may be unaware of our present feeling and how to refocus them to gratitude. 

Overcoming these obstacles requires conscious effort and a commitment to prioritizing gratitude. But it is so worth it!

What are the gifts of gratitude?

Let’s begin with this. How do we feel when we are not grateful? Often we are full of self-centered fear, dress, and anxiety. We often feel sorry for ourselves, as if we are not getting what we are entitled to. We want more and are afraid of losing what we have. Essentially we are depressed, indeed miserable.

How can we live a more grateful life? How does having an attitude of gratitude help us? There are so many gifts of gratitude.

1. Joy. When we are feeling grateful, we have a true sensation of happiness. We see how we are blessed, we appreciate our gifts, and we feel a sense of profound joy. Who does not want to feel happier during our day?

2. Less stress. Our profession is so stressful. Gratitude practices can help lawyers manage stress more effectively. Expressing gratitude and shifting one's focus to positive aspects can reduce anxiety, improve resilience, and promote a sense of calm amidst challenges. When we practice gratitude, our emotions are better balanced. We feel a sense of calm. If things seem overwhelming, being grateful for the many gifts in our lives can help us to maintain a better perspective. We will see that what bothers us is not that important, given all that we have to be grateful for.

3. Better Sleep. When we go to bed at night, if we feel grateful, we will sleep better. We all know that being stressed and overwhelmed is a recipe for a restless night. When our mind is clear, and we are feeling only positive thoughts, we will enjoy a better and longer night's sleep.

4. Improved relationships. Expressing gratitude towards colleagues and clients strengthens professional relationships. Appreciation fosters a sense of connection, trust, and mutual respect, leading to more positive interactions, improved teamwork, and a supportive work environment. In our personal lives, whether with our romantic partner or friends, those relationships improve when we practice gratitude. We all enjoy being around someone who is expressing appreciation. When we are grateful, we are more calm and empathetic, less aggressive, and angry. That supports our relationships with friends and family.

5. Self-esteem. When we are thankful for our gifts, we feel better about ourselves. We stop comparing ourselves to others, reflecting on what we do not have, which always makes us feel worse. We appreciate those around us more. Gratitude can increase our self-esteem.

6. Resilience. Grateful people are more resilient. Gratitude practices can enhance our resilience by helping us reframe challenges and setbacks. By focusing on what we are thankful for, we can develop a more optimistic perspective, bounce back from setbacks more efficiently, and maintain motivation in the face of adversity> When we are feeling sorry for ourselves, thinking of what we want that we do not have, the least little obstacle can set us back. But when we are thankful for the many gifts in our lives, we have a different outlook on the hurdles we face. We are much more robust in responding to setbacks.

7. Generosity. When we realize how blessed we are, we are much more willing to share and give to others, whether of our time, money, talents, or skills. By contrast, when we feel we are a victim and stressed, our last emotion is generosity. Gratitude helps us to become more generous.

8. Optimism. When we are grateful, we focus on our blessings. We see and are thankful for the people and circumstances in our life. That creates hope for the future.

9. Purpose. On days when we feel thankful for being able to help others, we are grateful to be of service. We appreciate the talents and experience we have that allow us an opportunity to improve the lives of others. Our work now has a more significant meaning. We feel a sense of purpose in what we do. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve others.

10. Improved Client Relationships: Expressing gratitude towards clients can deepen the attorney-client relationship. Clients who feel appreciated are likelier to trust and engage with their lawyers, leading to better communication, collaboration, and client satisfaction.

11. Enhanced Job Satisfaction: Gratitude practices can help lawyers find greater meaning and purpose in their work. Recognizing their positive impact on others' lives, appreciating their accomplishments, and acknowledging the opportunities within their profession can increase job satisfaction and motivation.

12. Better Work-Life Balance: Gratitude practices can help lawyers shift their focus from work-related stressors to the positive aspects of their personal lives. This shift can contribute to a healthier work-life balance, improving overall well-being and satisfaction.

How to Practice Gratitude 

Those are some incredible gifts for feeling more grateful. But when we are in a place where we are overcome with negativity, how can we create that sense of powerful gratitude that can lift us? Here are some steps:

1. Reflect on the Positive: Take a few moments each day to reflect on the positive aspects of your work as a lawyer. Consider the cases you have successfully handled, the clients you have helped, or the skills you have developed. Acknowledge the achievements and progress you have made.

 2. Be mindful. Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine to help you stay present and focus on the positive aspects of your work. Engage in mindful breathing exercises or take short mindful breaks throughout the day to center yourself and cultivate a sense of gratitude. Be mindful of the little things that happen each day for which you have to be grateful. You will be amazed how often, each day, some positive events occur. When you are conscious of each moment in your day, and are thankful for each little circumstance that worked out positively, you will feel much more grateful.

3. Express appreciation. Take the time to express gratitude to colleagues, clients, or mentors who have supported you or positively impacted your legal career. Send a thank-you note, have a genuine conversation expressing your appreciation, or publicly acknowledge their contributions. Small acts of gratitude can go a long way in fostering positive relationships. When you feel thankful for someone in your life, let them know. Tell them how much you appreciate who they are and what they do. Express to them that you are grateful for how they have supported you. When you express your gratitude to others, you will internally feel much more grateful yourself.

4. Serve others. While we may face many problems, many are less fortunate. Look for opportunities to help others. Be a mentor to a young person in need; help in your church or rec council; volunteer to serve food to the homeless; or find another avenue that suits your skills and desires to volunteer. When we are of service, we realize that no matter how many things in our life are not what we want them to be, we are, in many ways, very blessed.

5. Journal daily. My favorite is to have a daily practice of recording what we have to be grateful for. Set aside a few minutes each day to write down three things you are grateful for in your professional life. It could be a supportive colleague, a positive outcome in a case, or even the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Writing them down reinforces your appreciation and helps cultivate a gratitude mindset. The next day, write down three new circumstances in your life for which you are grateful. Do that for 30 days. After the first few days, you will need to reflect on your life to ascertain new items for which you are grateful, and you will embark on a search for gratitude. You can do it. At the end of 30 days, you will now have recorded 90 different items. Review your gratitude list daily. Look at it before you go to bed. Beginning and ending your day by understanding the many things you are grateful for will give you more strength and resilience during the day and a better night's sleep.

6. Find Gratitude in Challenges: When facing challenging situations, try to find something to be grateful for. It could be an opportunity for personal growth, the chance to develop resilience, or the lessons learned from the experience. Shifting your perspective can help you navigate challenges with a more positive mindset.

7. Create Gratitude Rituals: Establish regular rituals that remind you to practice gratitude. For example, you could start or end each day by sharing one thing you are grateful for with a colleague or incorporate gratitude exercises into team meetings or client interactions. By making gratitude a part of your routine, it becomes a habit that strengthens over time.

8. Seek Support: Connect with other lawyers interested in practicing gratitude or join professional networks or organizations that promote well-being in the legal field. A supportive mentor can help you appreciate what you must be grateful for. 

Remember, incorporating gratitude into your professional life is a gradual process. Start with small steps and be consistent. Over time, practicing gratitude can transform your outlook, well-being, and overall satisfaction as a lawyer.

Conclusion

The practice of gratitude holds immense power for we lawyers, offering a profound shift in perspective and enhancing our professional lives. By embracing gratitude, lawyers can navigate the challenges of their profession with resilience, find joy and fulfillment in their work, and cultivate stronger relationships with colleagues and clients. Expressing appreciation and recognizing the positive aspects of our legal journey can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved mental well-being, and a sense of purpose. By implementing the practical steps of reflection, journaling, expression of gratitude, mindfulness, finding gratitude in challenges, establishing rituals, and seeking support, lawyers can embark on a transformative journey toward a more grateful and fulfilling professional life. Let gratitude become the guiding force that shapes our legal careers and fosters a deep appreciation for the privilege of practicing law.

If you are interested in developing a more grateful practice, reach out to me. I can help. You can connect with me here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call