 |
General Solo & Small Firm Section
November 2001 Newsletter Articles |
Greetings from the chair
I am Russell Anne Swafford, the chair of the General, Solo, & Small Firm Practitioners Section for 2001-2002. I practice law with the firm of Stephen T. Greer, P. C. in Dunlap, Tenn. Steve and I practice full time with the firm, and Steve’s father, retired Circuit Judge Tom Greer, practices with us part time. We are a general practice firm in a rural area near Chattanooga in the heart of the Sequatchie Valley.
In the coming year, I hope to meet many of you in person, as well as by telephone, letter and e-mail. In this edition, I have included a survey, which I hope you will take the time to complete and return. It will assist me and the TBA staff in responding to your needs for CLE topics and other information. I encourage you to contact me and let me know if you will write an article for our newsletter, share an idea, or suggest a CLE topic.
Russell Anne Swafford
Interested in becoming involved?
Welcome to the TBA’s General, Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Section. We hope this will be the first of many newsletters we will send to the section members this year.
If you are interested in serving on this year’s executive council, please contact TBA Section Coordinator, Lynn Pointer by e-mail at lpointer@tnbar.org or by fax at (615) 297-8058 or if you have questions, contact Lynn at 1-800-899-6993 or in Nashville at 383-7421. Thanks!
Are You a Workaholic?
by Robert E. Albury Jr.
Can addiction to work be as disruptive as an addiction to alcohol or drugs? For 12 million Americans, the answer can be a sobering yes. Too much work, like too many drinks, can mask serious psychological problems and interfere with physical health and personal relationships. Recent research by a team of psychologists indicates that from 20 percent to 35 percent of attorney’s are “clinically distressed,” that is three to four times the national average. This means that a very large number of attorneys are living the appearance of a good life, but the reality of misery. Workaholism is a major contributing factor to this epidemic.
It takes more than long hours on the job to make a workaholic. Indeed, people who are inspired by their work often put in a good deal of overtime. But they balance their dedication with an equally rich personal life, making plenty of time for family, friends, and themselves. Workaholics are unable to achieve such a balance. They’re often obsessed with how many hours they work and identify so closely with their jobs that they have trouble feeling “alive” when they’re not toiling away. Work addicts also tend to suffer from a host of ailments like anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal problems.
Hard work is as American as apple pie, but if it leads to distress, too much of it isn’t healthy for you, your relationships, or even — in the long run — your career. Take our short quiz to find out if you’re truly dedicated to your job — or if you’re really a workaholic in disguise.
Here are some warning signs of workaholism:
-
• Your home is just another office.
• You are hard driving, competitive, and overly committed to your work.
• You take office equipment with you wherever you go, even on vacations.
• Work makes you happier than anything else in your life.
• Sleep and playtime seem like a waste.
• You believe that if you get the chance to do it again, you’ll do it right.
• You get restless on vacation (if you even take them) and sometimes cut them short.
• You frequently are “problem solving” work situations in your mind, even during your “time off.”
• Friends either don’t call anymore, or you can’t wait to get off the phone when they do call.
• People who love you tell you that “you have a lot of energy,” are “manic,” or are a “workhorse.”
• You are tired, irritable, socially isolated, and might even have physical stress symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, shortness of breath, racing heart, muscle tension, or ulcers.
• You have begun to turn to some other form of codependent behavior — that being any unhealthy relationship with or dependence upon some person, activity or substance (i.e., alcohol, drugs, spending, sex, gambling, exercise, food, etc.), which alleviates stress and anxiety, tunes out racing thoughts, and is relied upon to assist in the transition from work to relaxation mode.
If you can see yourself in most of these characteristics, you probably are a workaholic.
Ok, so now what do you do?
You probably need to reassess your relationship with your job, and with other people, before work addiction threatens your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, workaholism can be harder to kick than other detrimental habits since it’s common for workaholic attorneys to receive misguided praise for appearing to be so dedicated to their careers.
But if you’re ready to stop living for work, here are some tips that can help you strike a better balance:
-
• Schedule time for your primary relationship. Most relationships require at least 20-30 minutes of “connect time” every day, not including time to discuss bills, children, phone calls, etc. This time is spent simply checking in with, and catching up with one another.
• Make time for your friendships. Make sure you pick people who are fun. The best way to avoid giving in to workaholism is to “red line” time for nurturing relationships in your appointment calendar
• Take care of your body. Get a physical exam to rule out other problems. Take care of the three basics: eating, sleeping, and exercising. Pay a little extra attention to all three categories. Take 4-5 minute “breaks” at your desk. Allow yourself to close your eyes, breathe rhythmically, and focus your mind’s eye on a relaxing place. If you get distracted, gently bring yourself back to the relaxing scene.
• Re-examine your long-term goals. Are you doing what you want to be doing with your life? From the vantage point of your deathbed, what do you want to be able to say about how you spent these years?
• Re-examine your short-term goals. Remind yourself of the things you have already accomplished rather than just those you still need to accomplish. Do this daily. A moment of reflection when sitting down at your desk can help keep things in perspective.
• Set limits. Make yourself leave work by a certain time every day. Vow not to work through lunch or eat at your desk.
• Rearrange your “to do” list. Set priorities and eliminate or delegate any projects you can. Add pleasurable pursuits to your list.
• Learn to say no. Keep your hand down when someone says “Any volunteers?” Become familiar with your job description and stick to it.
• Learn to play. If you can’t give up working on weekends, start by setting aside one weekend a month when anything work-related is off-limits. Spend those “extra” hours with friends or family.
Workaholism can cause serious health and mental health problems; however, it is possible in the legal profession to be a healthy and happy individual, as well as being productive and “successful.”
Remember, these kinds of changes do not come easily. They require commitment and perseverance, but you do not have to tackle it alone. To seriously explore ways to find balance in law and life — and enjoy both — make a confidential call to the TENNESSEE LAWYERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM for resources available.
Robert E. Albury Jr., J.D., LADC, is the executive director of the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, 1-800-877-TLAP.
