Thoughts from the Board - Joseph Bodine

It is July and we are all deep into summer activities: vacation, camping, boating and swimming in high mountain lakes, (cold water – burr), and enjoying the fine weather in our backyards with grilling and sipping on a cold drink. The joys of summer are often spoken of in glowing terms and each of us have some fond memories of the idyllic times in our childhood where we just soaked up the summer warmth and the lazy days that seemed to last forever. Those days are past and we now, while enjoying the activities of summer, to some degree, we also have responsibilities which mute our enjoyment such as watching over our children, (or perhaps our grandchildren), and worry about the more mundane things of life. Such as a brief that is due next week or a settlement conference that is scheduled on Monday and we are not as prepared as we would like to be. As attorneys we always seem to have a multitude of demands which draw our attention away from the sweet pleasures of living.

As long as we are involved with the practice of law, and the things we do impact the lives of others, we will always have our minds filled with our responsibilities and find it hard to enjoy those things we use to greatly enjoy.  I would suggest a couple things to you which may help reduce the stress you feel and enhance the joy of activities outside of the practice of law.

First, focus on the task at hand. If this is in the office don’t find an excuse to slip away for an extended lunch break or leave early just because the work is difficult or it is hard to apply yourself to the task.  Let me use an example in my own life, When I was first taking college level classes, I was in the military and the demands of the “mission” and the hours involved seemed to constantly get in the way of school work. There was more than once I wanted to bag the whole idea of obtaining a degree because it appeared that I had no time to do the things I enjoyed. It was during one of these moments that mentor told me that I needed to know what I wanted and make sure what I was prioritizing was in line with what I really wanted. After some soul searching, I recommitted myself to focusing on the things I wanted and put other things in a more proper place. I found that when I focused on the important things I could find time to do other enjoyable things because I did not leave things undone – which would rob me, via worry and lost concentration, of the time I spent with family or friends.

Second, keep your head in the present.  Years ago I enjoyed playing baseball and I recall the coach frequently yelling at me or someone else, “to keep your head in the game!” This is great advice for us as attorneys as well. In a corollary to the first suggestion, we need to remember where we are and why we are there. Want to irritate your wife, or partner? Be thinking about something at work when your spending time with them. Just as being distracted can have a negative impact on relationships so can it keep you from enjoying your vacation days or an evening out with friends.  When you are engaged in something – be it work or fun – be fully involved in the moment. When the time comes to “change gears” let the past go and face the present.

Now changing how you do something may take some effort and practice but even small changes can bring huge dividends. Strive to focus on the tasks when you’re working the things necessary to accomplish but make efforts to set them aside when other activities arise. Remember, that the mind will continue to work on issues at the subconscious level even when you are enjoying yourself in other things. Let your mind do its work as you keep in the moment.  

Enjoy the summer and do not let the pressures and stress rob you of the “lazy crazy days of summer”

 -- Joseph Bodine, Esq. 

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