I worked/billed a ton last week and Monday and Tuesday this week, and then today I didn’t have any meetings or anything and just hit a brick wall - I slept until 10am and just dealt with accumulating non-billable stuff for almost all of the day. Now I feel terrible about it. How do you keep going? I feel awful about today and have such dread about all that I have to do tomorrow 😭 I’m in a new practice area and am super grateful for the work, but the learning curve is hard and I’m struggling!
You had to take a break and deal with the admin. Don’t beat yourself about it bc there are plenty more days left in the month. Bill your time honestly, keep it move it, and save the guilt trips for something personal - this is business and you’re rockin’ it!!
I’d recommend looking into whether your firm has a formal mentorship program, or chat with a partner you click with to see if they’re willing to act as a “mentor” and make the time to meet every couple weeks or so - over lunch/dinner/drinks so the conversation isn’t as likely to veer into a hunt for billables. And just talk about your “lost” feeling and get guidance on whether you’re in fact on the right track.
Understanding expectations and whether you’re meeting them is a huge source of anxiety for young attorneys. Getting the reassurance that you’re on the right track or handling the workload correctly does wonders, and if not then your mentor will have advice on how to get there.
If you have qualms about confiding your concerns in a superior at your firm, it’s worth checking with your local bar Association to see if they have a mentorship program as well - that way you get some truly objective input without the fear of repercussions, and you get an opportunity to expand your network.
Hey you need to listen to your body for real when it hits brick walls. If you don’t have meetings or urgent matters to bill you should feel totally ok in getting extra rest. If your firm isn’t supportive then I’d question if it’s a place that truly cares about non-partners. If it’s your own work ethic I get that but if you’re realistic about what’s sustainable, both hrs billed/advancement opportunities as well as your own health, you will ultimately end up in a better place. All best!
It’s not the firm, at least no one’s said anything, it’s just me being paranoid probably. And I guess as a very junior lawyer I’m just learning about what’s sustainable. Thank you so much! This is really reassuring going forward.
After ten years, I made a major career shift and have a big learning curve ahead of me, so I understand. Yesterday was my brick wall moment. I ended up feeling bad and putting in another 3 hours late last night. I'm semi regretting it today. All being said (and I should take my own advice here), give yourself grace and the time you need to grasp everything while you have the chance. Admin and nonbillables have to get completed as well, so I call that a productive day.
Rising Star
Cut yourself some slack. Ninth year here and I just recently - like in the last two years - realized you can't bill 10 or even 8 hours a day every day. Your mind needs a break, your body needs rest. I take a fairly regular "mental health day" maybe once a month where I only respond to legit urgent emails and don't try to stay caught up. Of course I do this when I'm a little slow, not mid-closing. But it helps to just have a slow day here and there.