Life Happens.

Life happens--always, consistently.

Sometimes it happens in a way that derails my (#triggerwarning) #billablehour plan.

Yes, I am diligent.

Yes, I keep track so that unexpected things don't totally wreck my year.

But, also: sometimes my anxieties about it are very, very loud.

7.5 years in that still happens.

I suspect, because of how I'm wired, it always will happen or at least will always be there.

Most of the time, I can quiet my doubts.

Although I might waffle between: "I must make up the time!" and "They're not going to fire me," typically, I can calm myself and move on.

But: not every time.

Yesterday was one of those days.

I hit a wall after some unplanned (and heavy) days away from work.

So, I talked to my mentor.

I asked our hours coordinator for updated, official numbers.

I then went home and took a nap.

Today: I'm ready to get back to it.

And here's the other thing: getting rid of the billable hour requirement would not magically turn off my internal pressure to perform.

I know, from other jobs, that my built-in need to achieve and meet expectations will always find a measure to cling to.

So, I develop my own systems, routines--and relationships--to help me through it.

You can too.

#lawyerwellbeing #professionalwomen #biglaw