Embracing Happiness in the Legal World: Lessons from World Happiness Day
How to counteract being in an unhappy profession in an unhappy country!
Yesterday (March 20) was the “United Nations International Day of Happiness”, and it also marked the release of the annual “Happiest Countries” report. (Here’s the full report in case you are interested - fascinating stuff, but a hefty 158 pages!) This topic is always fascinating to me, and I haven’t had a chance to dive completely into the recently-released data, but a few things struck me upon first reading.
International Day of Happiness (or “World Happiness Day”) serves as an important reminder of the significance of well-being in our lives. Yet, for the legal profession, this day brings to light some stark realities. Recent findings have revealed that the United States has seen a decline in its World Happiness ranking (we slipped out of the top 20, ouch!), and this drop is particularly pronounced among younger generations. (On top of that, some studies have found that law is one of the least happy professions. Double whammy!)
According to the “Happiest Countries” report, the reasons behind this unhappiness are multifaceted and complex. For the general population, factors such as economic pressures, social isolation, and a lack of work-life balance contribute significantly. In the legal profession, these issues are also complicated and compounded by the high-stress nature of the job, long working hours, and the adversarial nature of the work.
Well-being in the legal profession isn’t a simple problem to solve - if it was, we would have done it by now. Many “parties” have a part to play, including law firms and legal employers, law schools, clients, and individuals. It’s never enough to simply say “lawyers/legal professionals should just do this” or “legal employers should just do that” or “clients should just do something else.”
When it comes to happiness, here are a few thoughts on what legal employers can do to promote happiness in their organizations so that we can start to move toward being a “happier profession.”
Supporting Team Members: A Blueprint for Legal Organizations
Legal organizations play a crucial role in fostering a positive work environment that helps build happiness on their teams (or at least don’t detract from their happiness!).
Here are five ways legal organizations can support their team members:
Promote Meaningful Work-Life Integration: While this is still a topic of discussion, flexible/hybrid work set-ups can help team members manage their personal and professional responsibilities. That doesn’t mean everyone is remote all of the time, but can your organization give some time during the week where team members can choose their work location? Even a bit of flexibility and autonomy goes a long way toward helping people feel that they have more balance and integration of their work and personal lives. Respecting personal time as much as possible, ensuring reasonable workloads, and discouraging a culture of overwork can prevent burnout and promote overall well-being as well.
Foster a Supportive Culture: Create an environment where colleagues feel comfortable discussing their mental health and seeking support. I call this a “Culture of Caring.” This can be achieved through regular check-ins, mental health awareness training, and promoting a team-oriented atmosphere where everyone feels valued and supported. It’s always important to check-in with your colleagues. Take just a bit of time to ask others questions like, “How are you right now?” or “What’s been on your mind lately?” and take a few minutes to really listen to their answers. It can be a game-changer!
Invest in Professional Development: Offer opportunities for growth and learning to keep team members engaged and motivated. This could include providing access to training programs, conferences, or mentorship opportunities. Encouraging continuous learning and development can help employees feel more fulfilled and invested in their work.
Recognize and Reward Achievements: Regularly acknowledge the hard work and contributions of team members. This could be through formal recognition programs, bonuses, or simply verbal appreciation. Recognizing achievements can boost morale and reinforce the value of each individual's contributions to the organization.
Prioritize Mental Health: Provide access to mental health resources, such as counseling services or stress management workshops. Creating an open dialogue about mental health and offering support can help reduce stigma and ensure that team members feel comfortable seeking help when needed.
Boosting Personal Happiness: Strategies for Individuals
Individuals have a part to play as well. On an individual level, legal professionals can take proactive steps to enhance their own happiness using some of these strategies:
Set Boundaries: Establish clear bouxndaries between work and personal life. This might include setting specific work hours, turning off work notifications outside of these hours, and communicating availability to colleagues. While this isn’t always possible, you can try to get as close to these boundaries as you can. Maintaining boundaries can help prevent burnout and ensure time for relaxation and personal pursuits.
Cultivate Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress and improve focus. These practices can help individuals stay present, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall well-being. Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day can make a significant difference.
Stay Connected: Maintain a strong support network of friends and family. Social connections are vital for emotional support and can provide a sense of belonging and community. Make time for social activities and reach out for support when needed.
Pursue Passions: Engage in hobbies or activities outside of work that bring joy and fulfillment. Whether it's a creative pursuit, a physical activity, or a volunteer project, pursuing passions can provide a sense of purpose and a break from the stresses of work.
Prioritize Self-Care: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and sufficient sleep are crucial for physical and mental well-being. You simply can’t be at your best if you aren’t taking care of yourself, so it’s in your best interest personally and professionally. Taking care of one's body can improve energy levels, mood, and overall health, making it easier to tackle the demands of the legal profession.
So take a moment to think about what you can do to increase your own happiness while also acknowledging that some things are beyond your control that also impact your happiness, like your legal organization (for happiness in the legal industry) or national systems/policies (when it comes to our national happiness). Change your corner of the world first - your own well-being, taking care of your loved ones, and being a positive influence on your team. And, if you are in a position to do so, advocate for positive changes in your workplace and in your community.
Yes - as we reflect on World Happiness Day - we can acknowledge the challenges faced by the legal profession in achieving happiness. However, if we can implement organizational strategies and personal practices, we can start to build more happiness and well-being into our legal workplaces and our profession broadly.
Together, we can cultivate a happier legal community, and who doesn’t want that?
