“Recharge Your Power”

I.                Introduction

Lawyers are no strangers to long workdays, stress-induced deadlines, and the need to appease multiple people all at once. However, all of us are energetic beings. We operate and respond to life based on our energy in the present moment. Some moments we feel fired up and enthusiastic regardless of the task at hand (although, coffee could also be a superseding cause), and other moments we may feel “low energy” and not in the mood to do much of anything. Your energy however, is essentially your source of Power. It influences and drives all of your actions!

This is why one of the first questions that I ask at the beginning of my Wellness Coaching Sessions are "what is your energy level?" and "why?" It is important to evaluate how you are feeling inside and what your body needs! The amount of energy that is required on a consistent basis especially from individuals who work in the legal field can become incredibly draining if you do not take the time recharge your Power. Below I discuss signs for when it is time to slow down, ways to bring yourself back into balance, and how to reassess your workload as you move forward.

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II.             Signs to Slow Down

Our body has very fascinating ways of communicating with us. When we are hungry, our stomachs growl! When we are embarrassed, our cheeks may flush. When we are nervous, we begin to sweat.

Similarly, when it is time to slow down, there are a number of symptoms that I personally experience which tell me that it is time to take a break. For example, I may become sick with a cold, develop feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, have decreased focus, etc. This is ultimately my body’s way of telling me that it is tired and that I have been doing way too much! In case you have not yet heard, burnout is very real! At times, it may seem easier to ignore and/or fight the messages that your body is giving you, but if you are smart, you eventually learn to listen and respond sooner rather than later. What is your body telling you right now?

III.           Back to Balance

When I recognize that my Power has dropped, I take time to do things which nurture my mind and body, and once I do, I feel better almost instantly. Some of my favorite ways to recharge include eating a healthy salad or bowl, taking three slow deep breaths, sleeping in, drinking hot tea, putting my phone on DND, a restorative Yoga practice, prayer, and saying “no” to anything that I do not have capacity for in that moment.

One thing that I learned is that no one is going to request a break on your behalf. You have to take the initiative yourself, and only you know when you need a break. Although it may feel uncomfortable to choose Self-Care, life becomes incredibly more uncomfortable the longer you choose to ignore what your body is telling you. So, remember to take breaks from time to time, and to actually enjoy the downtime! Yes, that means to put down your phone and laptop while on vacation. Be present in your break and allow yourself time to rest and relax, so that once you return, you can show up as your best Self!

IV.           Reassessing your Output

As you recharge your Power, you must also create a strategy for moving forward. Even a Self-Care Queen has to regularly reassess her involvement in both personal and professional activities in order to maintain balance!

Moreover, some seasons call for different levels of energy. For example, when studying for the Bar Exam, test takers know that they have a set amount of materials and a certain number of weeks that they must study before taking it. Studying for the Bar Exam requires a lot of hardworking energy. Individuals are required to practice self-discipline and consistency throughout in order to stay on track.

This also means that sacrifices must be made. For example, I was not able to spend as much time with my family and friends during that Summer. I knew that I could always go to the movies or a restaurant in the future, but I never wanted to study for this Bar Exam ever again! Therefore, I had to sacrifice exerting my energy in some areas of my life to feed and nurture the priorities that were now at the forefront.  Although I can do many things, I recognize that I can’t do all of them at 100%. So in my case, when I created a study plan, I reassessed my priorities, my capacity, and ultimately decided to only engage in activities which aligned and supported my objective, which was to pass the Bar Exam (and it worked).

V.              Conclusion

Our Power is held within our own energy. Our Power ultimately gives us the ability to show up as our best Self! This Power however must be nurtured and accounted for. Therefore, try to remain mindful of not only how your Power is valuable as a resource for others, but also when you need to recharge it for yourself.

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