‘Happy people plan actions, they don’t plan results.’
- Dennis Waitley
Most lawyers live extremely busy and stress-filled lives. They experience a great deal of pressure from the billable hour requirement and client/firm demands. All too often their energy is depleted adversely affecting performance and productivity. They struggle to make partner, to market themselves in ways that are aligned with their values, and to achieve the proper balance between work and personal life. Many report being unhappy with the choices they have made and desire a different future.
There’s a tendency for lawyers to feel condemned to unhappiness. But think of it this way: You’ve already made a major investment in your legal career. You’ve earned the right to both career success and a happy and significant personal life.
The happiness self-assessment quiz will help you determine just how happy you are.
Take A Self-Assessment To Learn How Happy You Are
Achieving happiness and success in your work and personal life requires self-management. You need to be clear on your purpose, mission, and values. Set your priorities, and focus on what is truly most important.
Think about the past month. For each of the work/life pressures listed below, indicate how much each has been a source of distress for you.
Score each item according to how much of the time each statement applies to you.
The Scale:
1 (never)
2 (rarely)
3 (sometimes)
4 (often)
5 (always)
_____ 1. I feel overwhelmed by too many tasks and responsibilities; I’m always juggling priorities.
_____ 2. I am very busy and impatient.
_____ 3. I get angry frequently.
_____ 4. I work long, energy-exhausting hours.
_____ 5. I find it difficult to pace myself.
_____ 6. I feel pressured by too many demands from clients.
_____ 7. I am more reactive than proactive.
_____ 8. I find it difficult to stay agile, flexible, and resilient; I have trouble focusing on what is important.
_____ 9. I have lost my energy and enthusiasm for practicing law.
_____ 10. I find it difficult to express gratitude and appreciate what I have.
_____ 11. I feel overwhelmed by the amount of billable hours required.
_____ 12. I frequently feel unappreciated.
_____ 13. I can’t remember a time when I experienced ‘being in the flow.’
_____ 14. I am a perfectionist.
_____ 15. I am uncomfortable with marketing and practice development.
_____ 16. I feel that my work does not reflect my vision, mission, and values.
_____ 17. I have forgotten what motivated me to practice law in the first place.
_____ 18. I dislike most of my clients.
_____ 19. I am pessimistice about the future.
_____ TOTAL SCORE: Add up your results
Total Points:
1 – 30 Happiness Master – You are doing a great job attaining happiness. Congratulations!
31 – 50 Learning - You are somewhat happy in your life and work, but there is still room for improvement.
51 – 100 RED ALERT! You may be seriously unhappy.
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