When I started practicing law, we had not learned about global well-being in law school or how to navigate the stressors of the new lawyer world I was entering.
I began my career as an assistant state attorney. You are not taught about how to relieve the stressors of the day or week, or how to quell negative thoughts about whether you are good enough.
Many friends and colleagues turned to vices that were perhaps more destructive than rehabilitating.
As time went on and I progressed through the ranks, I ended up in the Homicide Unit. Being at that level, dealing with the worst of the worst in society also put tremendous stress on those of us working homicide cases.
Along with that stress came more negative thoughts. At the time, I just engulfed myself in the work, striving to ensure I didn’t disappoint my community, my JSO team, my unit or the crime victims and their families.
Sadly, I’m sure our significant others took a back seat to our work.
Fortunately for me, someone talked to me about serving on The Florida Bar Criminal Procedure Rules Committee. At the time I didn’t think much of it, but I applied. The life journey resulting from that decision has been profound.
Going to events and meeting judges and attorneys from around the state that practiced in my area as well as many others gave me an outlet that I never knew I needed.
It did not end there. It gave me a different purpose and a new focus to reroute the negativity. I was not only helping my community, but the entire Bar.
From within that committee, I gained confidence as I was made chair of subcommittees and even parliamentarian.
Through that committee, my eyes were opened to a new avenue of repurposed focus that I never knew existed. It also gave me the courage to explore service areas in my own community.
I became more active in the Jacksonville Bar Association and after I switched to civil practice, I discovered even more voluntary Bars and joined those as well.
I refocused my time and energy on serving the community as well as The Florida Bar.
I gained the courage to apply for The Florida Bar Leadership Academy, which takes leaders from where they are, highlights their potential and gives them the tools and connections to help them grow, allowing them to be better leaders in their own communities and within The Florida Bar.
Do not avoid applying for leadership positions within your community or The Florida Bar just because you do not think you will win. We need to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. That is how we grow.
I currently am co-chair of the academy. Watching the current Class XII fellows learn how to navigate the stressors of our practice through guidance from leaders who have already been there has been remarkable.
We recently heard from state Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans who spoke on work-life balance. She reiterated that “you can have it all, just not all right now.”
We often find ourselves trying to do too much or be everywhere at once. I have learned that that is impossible. There will be time with loved ones missed, and that’s OK.
While in Tallahassee, we also heard from professor Larry Krieger and his wife, The Rev. Theresa Krieger, who spoke on transformational leadership and global well-being for lawyers.
As attorneys we build things up, worrying about circumstances we cannot control, such as having to deal with “difficult” opposing counsel, often causing ourselves extra stress.
The Kriegers said, “You can’t stop the negativity, but you can replace it with positive focus.”
I encourage you to replace negative thoughts with positive focus. Apply for a leadership role within your community and within The Florida Bar.
Although it might be scary, replacing those negative thoughts with positive focus will be so worth it.
David Thompson is a trial attorney at Farah & Farah focusing on personal injury.