By NJSBA First Vice President Jeralyn L. Lawrence, Lawrence Law
Finding balance while building and marketing your career and raising a family often can test your limits. Sometimes I feel like I am on Candid Camera, and someone is secretly filming me and laughing, thinking “is she kidding me?” There are just so many balls in the air to juggle some days, I often wonder how it all will get done.
I have found there are some crucial keys for success. First, surround yourself with top-notch and loyal coworkers, assistants, and staff. My paralegal and legal assistant play such an important role in my life and, ultimately, my happiness. They manage my calendar, ease my workload, and work as a team. There is no substitute for teamwork or the feeling of genuine respect and admiration for those you work with every day.
Second, surround your children with excellent caregivers. Be sure to have a small list of those you can trust to care for your children when you are in a bind. If your child wakes up in the middle of the night with a fever and you know you have to argue a motion in just a few hours, have a list of your ‘go to’ people.
Third, take vacations. This is such an incredible part of balance. We all have a lot of work to do and a ton of personal commitments. I always have a vacation scheduled on my calendar. It is what gets me through the pangs of guilt that haunt me when I am in weekly evening meetings and away from my family. To know that I will have catch-up time and a quality block of time with my family is priceless.
Fourth, have lunch meetings. I love lunch meetings. They are generally an hour or less, and do not take away from family time. Consider planning or suggesting having lunch meetings.
Lastly, work at home at night. Throughout the day, all day, I am preparing and making a pile of work I can do at night. It always amazes me how much work I can get done at home in an hour or two, with no phones or emails interrupting me, compared to what I can do in a busy office.
With these suggestions in mind, and other techniques that suit your lifestyle, you can find the balance in your life that will lead to professional and personal happiness and success.