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Knowing specifically WHAT is making you feel overwhelmed and sharing only the specifics is good.
My workload lol
I told a partner I’m close with that because of health reasons my workload was starting to feel impossible and he told me “you’ll survive” … good luck out there soldier
This is basically the response I get. If I say I can’t take on more work it’s oh how about just this one case
Rising Star
Articulate that with specifics. You did summathat fancy book learnin’ to get you that jooriss doktur!
What I found to be invaluable was to stop just calendaring deadlines for deliverables; instead I break the task into smaller components and schedule time into my day to complete each of them. (There was some trial and error on figuring out how long each thing takes, you have to leave a margin of error and also take fire drills into consideration). But this turns your time into “cash flow” and helps you see what your bandwidth looks like on a given day or entire week. I’d rather start an hour earlier all week, than have to pull an all-nighter.
“I’m overwhelmed” is a non-actionable sensation that no one can help you with, and makes you seem disorganized. You’ll often get better results if you ask for direction on which matter to prioritize (and doing so well enough in advance that the other tasks can be reassigned to someone else without it becoming a fire drill.)
The deadlines advice is great thank you! I will have to try that and amend my work model first
I’m sorry you are struggling, but this happens to a lot of associates. The answer to your question depends on the specifics. What is overwhelming? The workload? The kind of work itself? The complexity? Competing priorities? Lack of clear direction and/or context? Support?
This sounds great thank you. I’ll reach out
Tell them from a hospital room. I know people who have been hospitalized recently with various health ailments partially tied to their workload. Their body told them to slow down.
This field is insane. My boss was on a call with me and clients on the way to do intake for surgery. I set my boundaries but when you’re working with people that sacrifice their own wellbeing this way even subconsciously they’ll expect you to do the same
I think it really depends on the culture and your relationship with them. If one of my associates told me this I’d have a strategy meeting with them to figure out what tangible things can be changed or limited to help. But I agree with the other commentary that you should come with specifics so that a resolution can be found that’s actually helpful.
In my opinion, it is all about how you frame it. I would avoid the term overwhelmed, but rather frame It as feeling that the quality of work as well as your efficiency will improve if provided a bit more time to focus on each task. Be ready to discuss any questions you have, and be prepared with suggested answers on any points of law that you are getting hung up on.
Also, try to think critically about what is urgent and where you have wiggle room and carve out your schedule accordingly. If you need more time on something, advise the senior as soon as you think it might be a problem as partners hate having potential timing issues sprung on them last minute. It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed, but they will respond better to having it be about the work than feelings (and shows you as solution oriented). Good luck!
Depends on what solution you’re seeking from them
A pause on new work. I don’t want to quit or take time off I just need some time of not getting new cases
Don’t say that. The partners are also overwhelmed. They don’t care. It’s the job.
Yeah that’s the issue with this field
The first, best way is to use your PTO to take a vacation of about two weeks. Tell the partners "I am going to take off January 15 to January 31" (or whenever). "I will be unavailable and off the grid during that time. I will brief Suzie and Joey on my ongoing matters so they can cover "
Just be authentic. Tell your partner, "I am overwhelmed." I hired an attorney for a case who told me that. I was like... "um. That's humble. honest. And I appreciated he told me. so if a client would appreciate it, your partner will appreciate it more. It shows emotional intelligence.
Raising your hand before a big mistake is wise. Maybe bring up that you need a vacation and then actually take one. Building a relationship where you can really talk to managers is important.
I recently missed a deadline (not filing or anything serious and completely fixable) and was told to speak up if I can’t keep up. This is after I’ve already said on multiple occasions I have a lot of work that I need about 2 weeks of not getting new work to catch up on then I will be fine. I was given 5 new cases over the next two weeks.
Be specific about why and do your best to put it in objective terms. Make it about practical impact, not what is perceived as an emotional response.