OTLA Trial Lawyer Winter 2021

46 Trial Lawyer • Winter 2021 reduces likelihood of burnout and/or compassion fatigue and counteracts their negative effects. Self-care starts with the basics: healthy eating, suffi- cient sleep and regular exercise. Consistency is the key. Our minds and bodies do not function well with- out consistent self-care. • Be deliberate/intentional. Burnout and compassion fatigue can cause us to make poor or rash decisions out of frustration, exhaustion or fatigue. Our minds are typically not working their best under these conditions. If necessary, implement an “escape strat- egy” that is prudent and in your best interests — but only after consulta- tion with trusted others, including trained professionals. Burnout and compassion fatigue do not necessar- ily require leaving the practice of law. Prudent changes in one’s practice are often all that is necessary. • Healthy boundaries. In many cases, it’s our compulsion to take on more work than we can effectively handle that contributes to burnout. Learn to say, “No.” Once you make a decision ( e.g. , to work less, to limit workload, to decline certain cases, to maintain a consistent self-care schedule, to seek professional assistance) — do your best to stick to it. With COVID-19, many lawyers are working wholly or partially from home. Having a dis- crete workplace and work time boundaries are necessary and should be maintained. • Delegate. It’s not always possible, but invaluable when it can be done. • Monitoring. Keeping track of your progress (daily, if possible) and/or journaling your progress are superb ways to track how you are doing in following through with the healthy changes you are committed to mak- ing. Not every day will be a success story, but tracking is still helpful, so keep a record. • Unplug. Electronic devices are a bless- ing and a curse. There is increasing evidence that too much news during the COVID-19 crisis and election season increases anxiety. Be careful and deliberate! • Find your passion. Few things create as much meaning in one’s life as en- gaging in things one truly enjoys. Experiment, if necessary, but try to find something! • Breaks and relaxation. Constant work, without taking a break and relaxing, actually reduces productivity and increases the likelihood of burnout. Practice taking relaxing breaks regu- larly. (This is a boundary issue.) If you are at a total loss at finding fun and interesting activities to do (especially during COVID-19), check out OAAP’s blog (https://oaap.org/thriv- ing-today/things-to-do-while-shelter- ing-in-place/) Take care Burnout and compassion fatigue are not uncommon in our profession. They are, however, preventable and, when they occur (or when early signs begin to ap- pear), they can be successfully addressed. The most important starting point in prevention and treatment is self-aware- ness, being introspective and alert to possible red flags. My hyperventilation episode and my response (or lack of re- sponse) to it, are illustrative of what not to do. The prudent, effective and person- ally rewarding practice of law has to begin with attending to our own well-being. Douglas Querin is a former personal injury lawyer, specializing in Federal Employers’ Liability Act litigation for over 25 years. Querin is currently a licensed professional counselor and certified drug and alcohol counselor working for the Or- egon Attorney Assistance Program (OAAP), 520 SWYamhill St., Ste. 1050, Portland, OR 97204. He can be reached at 503-226- 1057 ext. 12 or [email protected]. Burnout Continued from p 45