(webinar slides) the anxious lawyer – ways of cultivating a joyful law practice
TRANSCRIPT
The Anxious Lawyer – Ways of Cultivating a Joyful Law
Practice#JeenaforMyCase
About MyCase
Built as a complete platform, MyCase offers features that
seamlessly cover all the daily functions that a modern, small law
firm requires in one place at an affordable price.
MyCase Web-Based Legal Practice Management Software
Just $39/month per
attorney
$29/month per paralegal
or staff
About MyCase
•Modern and professional design built for your firm
•Social media and blog integration
•Complete integration with MyCase practice management
software
MyCase Websites
About Our Presenter
• Partner at JC Law Group in San
Francisco - practices bankruptcy
law
• Author of upcoming ABA book The
Anxious Lawyer
• Teaches Mindfulness Meditation to
lawyers
• Jeena completed over a dozen
training classes on mindfulness
• She has published extensively on
mindfulness, including Lawyerist
and Attorney at Work
• http://theanxiouslawyer.com/
Jeena Cho
Add
Photo
Hello!
I am Jeena Cho
I am here because I love to help
Lawyers cultivate happier, more
fulfilling and joyful lives!
You can find me at:
@jeena_cho
TheAnxiousLawyer.com
Be Here
“
Poll #1
1. Never
2. Occasionally (less than once per week)
3. Regularly (more than three times per week)
Do you meditate?
● Why should I
meditate?
● What is
Mindfulness?
● How will it
improve my law
practice?
● Understanding
& increasing
happiness
● Common Fears &
Concernso Losing the “edge” or
getting “soft”
o Become less
assertive/aggressive
o It’s “woo woo” or “touchy
feely”
o I don’t have time
Topics Covered
Why Practice Meditation?
● Emotion regulation
● Decreased reactivity
and increased response
flexibility
● Enhances interpersonal
relationships
● Self-insight, morality,
intuition, and fear
modulation
● Reduces stress &
anxiety
● Increased information
processing speed
Manage symptoms:
● Anxiety disorders
● Asthma
● Cancer
● Depression
● Heart disease
● High blood pressure
● Pain
● Sleep problems
What Are the Benefits of Mindfulness? A Practice Review of Psychotherapy-Related Research
http://www.traumacenter.org/products/pdf_files/Benefits_of_Mindfulness.pdf
Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858?pg=1
Your Brain – On Meditation
http://www.fastcompany.com/3015486/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/10-simple-
science-backed-ways-to-be-happier-today
How to Increase Happiness
“90 percent of your long-term
happiness is predicted not by the external
world, but by the way your brain
processes the world.”
~Shawn Achor
1.
What is Mindfulness?
Why Should I Care?
Let’s start with the basics.
“
Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way;
On purpose,
in the present moment, without judgment or preference.
BIG CONCEPTBe in the present moment
Your mind?
Does it feel like this?
Present moment?
What does that mean?
What is
Meditation?
What it’s not
Meditation
What it is:
● Formal tool for
practicing mindfulness
● Inner exploration and
reflection
● Tool for gaining self-
knowledge
● Change our
relationships to
thoughts/feelings
● Gaining equanimity
What it’s not:
● Not about clearing or
having a blank mind
● Not about obtaining
peaceful state or nirvana
● Not about pushing away
thoughts/feelings
● Not a religious practice
Poll #2
On a scale of 1 – 5:
1-2: Not stressed at all, low levels of stress
3: Moderate amount of stress
4-5: Highly stressed
How stressed are you?
Let’s Practice
Poll #3
On a scale of 1 – 5:
1-2: Not stressed at all, low levels of stress
3: Moderate amount of stress
4-5: Highly stressed
Now, how stressed are you?
2.
How do I bring
mindfulness into my daily
life?
Some Tips
Understanding the Stress Response
In case of emergency: STOP!
● Stop
● Take a breath
● Observe
● Proceed mindfully
The Breath
● Anchor to the present moment
● Always with you
● Full of information
● How do you breathe?o Importance of Diaphragmatic
breathing
Be Awesome
How mindfulness can help
lawyers
The Mindful Lawyer
Awareness of boundaries
https://www.flickr.com/photos/david_ludwig/386317095/
The Mindful Lawyer
Corrective Measure
The Mindful Lawyer
Vicarious Trauma & Compassion Fatigue
The Mindful Lawyer
Cognitive – React vs. Respond
The Mindful Lawyer
Acceptance
Let’s Talk About “Time Management”
1,440 Minutes Per Day
● Finite amount of time
● Where is your attention?
● In the past? In the future?
● How do you begin your day? Start with
your intention. What is truly important
in your life?
Want to be
happier?
Practice being in the
present moment
5 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Happier
1. This moment – it’s a privilege
2. Meditate
3. Gratitude Journal
4. Smile
5. Random acts of kindness
(Bonus): Exercise
Happiness is a choice!
How to Meditate
1. Set a timer
2. Find a comfortable position – sit or lay down
3. Check body
4. Close eyes
5. Bring the attention to the breath. Breath in and
out.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
Troubleshooting Meditation
1. Time
2. Thoughts
3. Feelings & Emotions
4. Pain
5. Sleepiness
Practice. Practice. Practice.
Contact Us
Jeena Cho• JC law Group, PC
• http://www.theanxiouslawyer.
com/
• 415-963-4004
MyCase.com
MyCase.com/blog
(800) 571-8062
30-Day FREE Trial
MyCaseWeb-Based Legal
Practice Management Software
Get 10% Off Your First 6 Months With
MyCase Using Promo Code: 10JOY15
Thank You