by Ryan McKeen
Me on Facebook: Writing brief (4 am).
CT Attorney Friend: You need a vacation.
Me on Facebook: Dreaming about getting chewed out by judges for having a red cover to my appellee brief.
CT Attorney Friend: You need a vacation.
My oustanding friend is giving me outstanding advice and not billing me for it.
About 10 years ago, I read 7 Habits of Highly Successful People because it was one of those staff recommendedations at Barnes and Noble. Anyhow, it had a chapter on “sharpening the saw”. The basic premise being that if you keep using a saw its blade will dull and you’ll no longer be able to effectively cut whatever it is you are cutting. You see, attorneys are saws.
I find that if I go more than 4 months without a break then I begin to dull. It becomes harder to answer the phone, to respond to the email, or write the brief. There’s no doubt about it, the practice of law is a grind.
I’ve been giving this subject a lot of thought recently. I’m back in the running groove and am presently training for a few upcoming races. I’ve run races before but I’ve always trained simply by running. No real plan, just get out and run. Inevitably, I’d hurt something and stop running for months.
That changed a few months ago when I downloaded an iPod app to help me train for a 5k. The app mixes running with walking to build endurance over a period of time. The progression from less walking to more running is slow and steady. I’m nearly done with the program and I feel better than ever when I run.
I’ve also started training for longer races using the Galloway method which incorporates walking and running. The point is that you can be a lot better runner if you simply take the time to walk on occasion. In essence, walking helps you sharpen the saw. This produces faster times and fewer injuries.
I’m not sure that a lawyer can effectively practice law without at least 2 weeks off in a calendar year. I’ll bet there are lawyers who have never taken a week off for years at a clip. I’ll also bet some part of their lives has suffered as a result.
My qustion to you is: How long before your saw starts to dull?