Saying No

I have a hard time saying no to more work.

As a result, my annual reviews included feedback about taking fewer matters.

This is fair and I agree.

And yet: I do not know how to do this.

7+ years into #biglaw, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this, but I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve said no to more work.

The primary driver is, of course, people pleasing, which in turn, is fear based.

I want to meet my firm’s expectations (#billablehour).

I don’t want to let others down.

I don’t want others to stop coming to me for work.

But, the last one, is the kicker: by taking on too much, someone I love working with has pulled back from coming to me for work.

So, I’m actually creating the scenario I want to avoid.

How do I fix this?

Well, I’m hoping speaking it aloud here will help.

And then: I need to get comfortable with lower billable-hour months.

I know I won’t like it.

I know I need it.

I know I want this to be my reality going forward.

And I know it’ll create space for so much more.

I’m ready.

#lawyerwellbeing #biglaw #law #gettingthingsdone