Small Law Firms

A Good Night’s Rest Is The Answer

Many lawyers balk at the idea of taking a break. Stop that!

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(Image via Getty)

Over the past few months, I have tried to convince you of many things: hire staff, set up systems, and manage a sales pipeline. If you are one of those who have done everything to build your business — but those things aren’t always working — take a break; this may be counterintuitive to someone who has bills, deliverables, obligations, and a whole business to run. However, the answer to the chaos may be time away from the stress of running a firm. Consider embracing more ease and letting some hard things go.

Here are three things to ponder:

Are You Giving Your Best Effort?

If you are anything like me, you can always find room for improvement in client services, a workflow, following up with prospective clients, and, of course, substantive legal work. You may be doing all the things, giving your best effort, losing tons of sleep, and try, try, trying again. If you show up and do your best, even when things aren’t going well, know that these are great investments for your future success. You may not see any fruit today, but trust that consistent, directed action is better than jumping from task to task and hoping something sticks. I want to acknowledge your hard work and say, ugh, I have been there too. It is part of the entrepreneurial process. [BONUS: It’s also OK to stop even if you haven’t given your best effort.]

Let It Go — For Today

There is an old Donnie McClurkin gospel song that says, “Yes, after you’ve done all you can, you just stand.” (In this case, it’s more like stop.) If you prefer, “Let it Go” from “Frozen” may resonate. The hardest part of trying and getting nowhere is knowing that your endless effort is not immediately fruitful. While doubling down may seem like the next natural step, the opposite is true. By letting go, taking a break, or sleeping on a decision (rather than forging ahead), you allow your mind and body to rest and release a tight grip on a situation. If you have a deadline, figure out how to get support for your workload or hand it off to someone who can step in for you — or postpone the deadline; many are negotiable. Learn to outsource and delegate to free your mind space and your time. Living with palms open allows you to let go of whatever is in your hand to receive what is next. That gift may be peace of mind or a great night of sleep; I know that is easier said than done.

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Go To Sleep!

Many lawyers balk at the idea of taking a break. I am not talking about Hawaii or the U.S. Virgin Islands in this section, though that would be welcome and fantastic! Rest can start with getting a whole night’s sleep every night. (If your sleep is disturbed due to mental health issues, trauma, or other factors, please consult a professional for help. I do not want to trivialize the genuine issues some of us face that affect our ability to sleep.)

Spending time cultivating a peaceful sleep environment is the goal. I am talking about a luxurious bedtime routine with a bath (optional), sumptuous bedding, low temperatures, black-out curtains, no cellphone or TV, aromatherapy, a sound machine, and an old-school alarm clock. Most people need six to nine hours of quality sleep to reduce stress levels, lower cortisol, and allow the body to heal. Sleep may be challenging if you have an infant or kids who are in your bed. I am a huge fan of hiring a sleep consultant rather than muscling through the unfortunate occurrence of a 2-year-old sprawled across your neck (ask me how I know) like an unwelcome scarf. The best part about good sleep is that your body shuts down so you can take a break.

If you don’t have the luxury of a holiday or time away, cultivate a sleep routine a that allows you to prioritize yourself every night. You and your business are worth the investment.

Do you feel resistant to getting rest and embracing ease? Let me know at iffywrites@ibekwelaw.com. Want to keep up with what I have going on? Find me at www.iffyibekwe.com.

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Iffy Ibekwe is the principal attorney and founder of Ibekwe Law, PLLC. She is an estate planning attorney evangelist for intergenerational wealth transfer with effective wills and trusts. Iffy is writing her first book on culturally competent estate planning, available in 2022 (prayers up!). She graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and has practiced law for over 14 years. Iffy can be reached by email at iffywrites@ibekwelaw.com, on her website, and on Instagram @thejustincaselawyer.

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