Own it.
As an associate--especially as a junior associate and the beginning of being a mid-level associate--I often felt at the whim and mercy of everyone else.
This sense of lacking autonomy did not support my mental health or well-being, and certainly did not help me create the ownership over my files or career.
I know this is very common in #biglaw. There is another way.
You own your career. Full stop.
Yes, you must be reasonably responsive to clients and partners and court deadlines (and more). But, also: you can build autonomy by thinking differently about your day, your month, and your long-term goals.
What helped me get there?
Reading books about being a successful attorney, often geared toward solo practitioners and law firm owners.
Shifting to a mindset of being in charge of time, my attitude, and my choices.
Reflecting on what I wanted and making adjustments when the present situation did not align with those hopes, desires, and goals.
All of this helped me put my corporate-law job into a new perspective: When I am in the four walls of my office, I am a solo-practitioner. I own every decision, every moment on my calendar, every choice.
Yes, I still answer to many others, but I have choice about many things.
Exercising that choice, no matter how small, builds autonomy. The more you, respectfully and responsibly exercise that choice, the more your ownership and confidence will grow.
With that comes credit: credit to make bigger choices, credit to set broader boundaries, credit to shape your career more substantively.
I spent over three decades almost always following what was expected of me. That got me pretty far, but it did not always bring joy, contentment, or satisfaction.
Asking myself what I want and implementing steps to create that reality--that's what brought me joy, contentment, satisfaction, and, ultimately, success.
It is a scary process, because it can feel new and unknown. And yet: it has been so, so worth it.
❤️✌️🔥
#mindfullyemily #emilylitigates #professionalwomen #lawyerwellbeing