Flex Legal Network
  • How We Help
    • Our Services >
      • Examples of Projects
    • Our Fees
    • Our Story & Our Founder
  • Who We Help
  • FAQs
  • Our Team
  • Hire Us
  • Join Us
  • Blog
    • Articles & Publications
    • Speaking Engagements & Presentations

Tips for A Path Forward Through Change - By Kathleen Pinno

5/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
As a lawyer who is brand new to running a freelance business from home, I notice a comforting solidarity with our whole profession. Responding to COVID-19, we are all in a place where we have been forced to change, adapt, and embrace new ways of working and living. To varying degrees, we are all in the throes of transition.

Rigidity is a common lawyer characteristic. It is easy to rely on checklists, guidelines, policies, and tried-and-true advice. We expect that these formulas will achieve the intended result because we followed a ‘plan.’ Sometimes, however, we realize that there is no pre-charted course forward from where we are. This is true for most of us right now. We have to figure things out as we go. How do we do that? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Acknowledge the Negatives

It is difficult to embrace change when we are focussed on all the negatives that change has caused, but we do have to process our losses. There are likely real downsides to COVID-induced changes. Perhaps you have experienced loss of income, extra work, loneliness, health anxieties, a steep learning curve with new processes, and difficulties while working from home.  

Grant yourself permission to grieve your losses. It is helpful to largely focus on the positives, but we know it is counter-productive to repress our negative emotions. This is an unprecedented time. It is understandable to struggle. Only when we have acknowledged our struggles can we move forward. If you feel like you are drowning, stop to calmly reflect on why you are feeling down. If this reflection is easier while accompanied by a pint of ice cream, a glass of wine, a run, or a bubble bath, indulge (responsibly, of course). Consider this a break-up with life as you know it. You have certainly waded through adversity before, and you will triumph again!

2.Focus on the Positives

So, you have allowed yourself a brief pity party. It is time to move on. There are things to be grateful for, and I am sure some of them might be COVID-related too. For me, I have enjoyed more time with my husband. With less running around in the evenings and weekends, we have had time to learn to bake bread, read books, garden, enjoy our neighbourhood, and obsessively watch a few law enforcement TV dramas. I have reconnected on a heart-level with things I took for granted, like long visits with friends and going to church. I have also felt confirmed in my vocation of at-home remote work. Starting a home-based business seems more acceptable now.

What positive changes have you noticed in your own life and work lately? If it helps, physically make a list of good things. If you cannot easily think of big things, acknowledge the little things, like a good cup of morning coffee. Make brainstorming the positives a regular and intentional focus to lift you out of your blues.

3.Translate Reflections to Future Plans Values

It can be hard to make plans in times of uncertainty. When I cannot predict the future to a degree that allows me to make concrete plans, I find it helpful to translate my reflections on positives and negatives to values that I can focus on going forward.

For example, we had to cancel a trip to Scotland that was scheduled for this month. While this was a loss to grieve, my disappointment highlighted a value I did not know I held: celebrating our family heritage. While we cannot plan a rescheduled trip in the immediate future, we can plan to let that value steer us towards cultural celebration. On the day when we were supposed to leave, we donned the family tartan, ate Scottish trifle, and had a wee dram of the good stuff.

I have talked to countless lawyers who are used to working in big offices and have had to work from home temporarily. Most of them enjoy it. Some of them might use this newly discovered self-knowledge to consider how they can advocate for more flexible working arrangements when things go back to ‘normal.’ While we cannot always plan ahead concretely, we can lean into our values and focus on how we can implement them in the future. This future-focus can greatly assist us in challenging times.

4.Maintain Empathy and Help Others

This is the simplest and most important suggestion for times of change, so it will be this post’s concluding word. As I have heard others say, we are all in the same storm, but we are not in the same boat. Quite simply, remember to be kind, and remember that everyone is doing the best they can. Comparison will not help you or others. You always have something to offer, and it is also okay to ask for help. If you need a hand with legal research assistance, please reach out to Flex Legal Network!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kathleen is a freelance lawyer with Flex Legal. She assists lawyers with legal research and all their drafting needs. You can read more about Kathleen's experience here. 
DELEGATE WORK TO US: START HERE
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Are you a busy lawyer looking for experienced help?
    HELP IS HERE

    Categories

    All
    Blog Series: Starting Your Own Firm
    Book Reviews
    Case Comments
    COVID 19
    Ethics Of Freelance Lawyering
    Flex In Print (News/Publications)
    Flex News
    Freelance Lawyering
    Law (General)
    Law Society
    Legal Innovation
    Networking
    Networking Events
    Personal Management
    Wellbeing

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    RSS Feed

      Sign up for our newsletter & have these articles sent directly to you:

    Subscribe
HIRE A FREELANCER: START HERE
Picture
FLEX FREELANCERS' MEMBERS ONLY PAGE
CONTACT:
info@flexlegalnetwork.com
416.509.3655  (Erin's Direct Line)
3080 Yonge Street, Suite 6060
Toronto, ON
​M4N 3N1  (by appointment only)
​Flex                           Services                   Hire Us       FAQs
Flex Clients           Our Lawyers           Join Us       
Fees / Pricing          Blog                          Founder: Erin Cowling  
Resources & Publications 
​Disclaimer/Terms & Conditions

DISCLAIMER

Flex Legal Network Inc. ("Flex Legal") is not a law firm and does not perform legal services. Flex Legal is a company that matches freelance lawyers/law clerk members of our network with law firm/lawyers in need of freelance lawyer/clerk services.  Flex Legal's network of freelance lawyers practice independently and not in an association or other relationship for the joint practice of law. When a law firm/lawyer engages the services of a Flex Legal freelance lawyer the contractual relationship is solely between the freelance lawyer and law firm/lawyer. Flex Legal does not review the legal work provided by the freelance lawyers/clerks with the network.  Each lawyer is solely responsible for her or his own work product and general business activities to the exclusion of any other lawyer and Flex Legal. The information provided in this website should not be construed as legal advice. Transmission of information from this website is not intended to create, and its receipt does not constitute a solicitor-client relationship with Flex Legal or any of its individual network lawyers or personnel. Use of Flex Legal services does not establish a solicitor-client relationship. Flex Legal will protect the confidentiality of information, but information you provide to Flex Legal may not be afforded legal protection as solicitor-client communications. Flex Legal expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this website. See also our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.


​OUR COMMITMENT TO ANTI-RACISM

We are committed to anti-racism and know we are not doing enough. Right now our activism is donation-based and we are listening and learning, and amplifying BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) voices. We know we must take sustained, intentional action to combat racism. One step we are taking is assessing our annual budget and developing a plan to support BIPOC owned businesses, vendors, and contractors. Acknowledging the lack of BIPOC representation on our team, we are committed to improving this lack of diversity. We want to continually and sustainably do the work to build an anti-racist business and community where everyone feels safe and valued. If you would like to contact us about our anti-racism commitment or how we can improve our allyship, please reach out: info@flexlegalnetwork.com . For law firms looking for ways to support the BIPOC community see this article by Lulu Tinarwu for the CBA National Magazine.
(C) 2015-2021  - Flex Legal Network Inc. - All rights reserved.
"Flex Legal Network", "Flex Legal", & "Flex" are all registered trademarks of Flex Legal Network Inc.

  • How We Help
    • Our Services >
      • Examples of Projects
    • Our Fees
    • Our Story & Our Founder
  • Who We Help
  • FAQs
  • Our Team
  • Hire Us
  • Join Us
  • Blog
    • Articles & Publications
    • Speaking Engagements & Presentations