Managing Personal Stressors

Unpopular opinion: Staying busy and stressed all the time is not a badge of honor. The rise of entrepreneurs has spread a toxic 'hustle' mentality. We overlook the fact that constant stress is harmful. But then, what's the solution? Stop working hard? Not at all. A book I read suggests something radical: 📍 Keep a low tolerance for stress. Why? When we normalize stress, we accept a lower baseline for our mental and physical health. Imagine stress as a messy room: - If you tidy it up a little every day, it's easy to manage. - But if you let clutter pile up, cleaning becomes an overwhelming task. By setting a limit on how much stress we allow in our daily lives, we can prioritize our wellbeing. Here's how I do it: 📍 Find your stress triggers: I identify what stresses me out so I can develop coping mechanisms. Inaction triggers stress. Therefore, taking immediate action on stressors is essential. 📍 Learn to say 'NO': I avoid overloading my schedule by prioritizing tasks and delegating when possible. This proactive approach helps reduce stress by taking action on what's manageable and letting go of what's not. 📍 Make self-care a priority: I prioritize daily exercise and meditation, essential habits for stress management. Break free from the hustle culture, take action against stress, and you'll be surprised at what you can achieve. #entrepreneurship #quittoxichustle

Stress is my co-founder at ALTRD It's not something I try to avoid, it's something I've learned to live with. Let's be real – anyone who's ever launched a startup knows stress. It's the constant hum in the background, the feeling that you're juggling a thousand things at once, and the nagging thought that you're never quite doing enough. And I loved it because: 1. Stress is my spark. When I'm facing a challenge, a deadline, or a tough decision, it actually helps me focus. It's like a turbo boost for my brain, pushing me to think creatively, find solutions, and get things done. 2. Stress is my motivator. It's not always comfortable, but that feeling of pressure often fuels my drive. It reminds me why I'm doing this, why ALTRD matters, and how much I want to succeed. 3. Stress is my teacher. Every stressful situation has been a learning experience. It's helped me identify my strengths, weaknesses, and how to adapt to change. It's also taught me the importance of resilience and perseverance. But stress isn't just some abstract concept for me. It's real, and it can be overwhelming. That's why I've developed my own strategies to manage it: >> I make sure to take breaks, get enough sleep, and find activities that help me recharge. >> I know I can’t do everything myself, so I delegate certain tasks to my team at ALTRD. >> Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself of my "why." Stress may be a constant companion for entrepreneurs, but it doesn't have to be a negative force. It can be a powerful ally, pushing you to achieve amazing things. If you're an entrepreneur facing your own share of stress, let's chat! We can share tips, strategies, and maybe even a good laugh or two :)

7 Lessons on Sustaining Passion and Purpose at Work 🔥 One of my favorite industries to study passion in is healthcare. Few other fields put human care and impact so visibly at the center of daily work. Healthcare professionals literally see the difference they make every day in their patients’ lives. That direct connection to impact is inspiring—and, honestly, something I often find myself craving in my own work as a researcher. But healthcare is, unfortunately, also one of the clearest examples of the downsides of passion. The same deep sense of purpose that draws so many into the field can, over time, make them vulnerable to burnout, exploitation, and disillusionment. --- Passion, if not sustained wisely, can fade, or even become destructive. --- I’m often asked: What strategies can help people maintain their motivation, passion, and sense of purpose over the long term? Based on my own and others’ research, here are a few key practices worth highlighting: 🌟 1) Anchor to Impact Regularly reflect on the people who benefit from your work. Patient stories or outcomes reinforce why the work matters and help renew motivation. [1] 🤝 2) Rely on the Team Supportive peers, mentors, and healthy team cultures buffer stress and prevent isolation. Passion spreads best in environments where energy is shared, not forced. [2] 📚 3) Keep Growing Continuous learning through new skills, challenges, or projects fuels progress and sustains engagement over time. [3] 🧭 4) Know Your Coping Style When facing setbacks, those who view their work as a calling may channel “hot” pain into renewed passion, while others—who see their work more as a job—recharge best by stepping away and finding distraction outside of work. Knowing which camp you fall into helps you cope more effectively. [ongoing research] ⚖️ 5) Manage Passion’s Costs A surge of passion can feel energizing and effortless, but it often leads to exhaustion the next day. Always remember that passion can make you overconfident. [4] Self-regulation practices help balance the highs and lows. [5] 🔥 6) Moderate Passion Don’t try to maximize passion—try to sustain it. Too much passion can hurt performance and increase burnout risk. The goal is a steady flame, not constant fireworks. [ongoing research] 🌙 7) Detach to Recharge Two decades of research show that psychological detachment from work—“switching off”—is one of the healthiest things you can do after hours. [6] Create rituals that help you mentally leave work behind. Even your commute, often seen as a nuisance, can actually serve this purpose. [7]

I never knew where the term “BURNOUT” came from until last night! Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger coined the term “Burnout” after seeing passionate healthcare workers lose their spark. I have personally experienced burnout and worked with many professionals suffering from burnout. 🔥 Here is what to lookout for and how to quickly reset! Burnout shows up as exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. This is the opposite of flow, where you are fully immersed in your work with a high sense of control. If burnout isn’t caught early or taken seriously, it will destroy your productivity, which can result in losing your job or failing your business. I have witnessed high performers especially being prone to burnout. But there is a way to spot it early, recover, and even make yourself burnout proof! Burnout has six key triggers: 1️⃣ breakdown of community 2️⃣ insufficient reward 3️⃣ values conflict 4️⃣ lack of control 5️⃣ work overload 6️⃣ unfairness When you tackle these triggers, you can beat burnout. Six strategies that help me reset when I start experiencing burnout: 1. Choose Your Hard -> Align tasks with your strengths. 2. Don’t push yourself to exhaustion  -> Track energy levels and avoid putting yourself in a large recovery hole. 3. When You See a Hill, Sprint. -> Use bursts of focus to build momentum. 4. Regularly Assess the Burnout Triggers. -> Go through the list one by one. 5. Have a Burnout Tool Kit -> Try different active recovery practices and know what works for you. 6. Focus on the Basics -> Daily sunlight, exercise, quality sleep, and good nutrition have all shown to reduce and help recover from burnout. There will ALWAYS be more work, but by becoming more aware of your energy and potential triggers for burnout, you will sustain and optimize your mental health, productivity, performance, and overall career path. 📌 Comment below the word “BURNOUT” if you want me to send you a burnout inventory to monitor your risk. *I take it every month. Follow Alex Wisch for more lessons on #Burnout, #MentalHealth, and achieving #PeakPerformance.

I’d spend weeks toiling over a long, hard brief. All I’d hear back from the partner was a “Thx.” And today, the associates who come to me for legal writing support feel at their wits end. So here’s my premise: ⬇️ Legal writing causes depression. Lost confidence. Anxiety. It’s the worst among Big Law associates. The rates are alarming. It isn’t surprising, actually. I mean just think about it: 🔷 Legal writers work in silos. —Associates often spend long hours isolated in nondescript offices, grappling with complex legal issues and voluminous case law —> that leads to loneliness and disconnection—both well-established risk factors for depression and anxiety. —WFH only exacerbates. 🔷 Legal writing leads to cognitive overload and stress. —Legal writers must synthesize vast amounts of information from dense factual records and complex, often inconsistent case law. —That causes cognitive overload that increases stress levels. Over time, the stress can become chronic—another known contributor to both depression and anxiety. —The pressure to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines further compounds the stress, creating a cycle of anxiety that can be difficult to break. 🔷 Legal writers have no support system. —There is no "help desk" for writer's block, and there’s often no colleague to consult when faced with a challenging legal analysis. —The lack of support can lead to feelings of helplessness and inadequacy—both closely linked to depression and anxiety. —WFH only exacerbates. 🔷 Legal writers are expected to be perfect and face sure-fire critique, especially in their early years where they are doing things for the very first time. —Associates often fear the "wall of red ink" they'll receive when submitting their work for review. —>This anticipation of harsh criticism can trigger anxiety and self-doubt. —The constant pressure to produce flawless work can lead to a cycle of perfectionism and self-criticism—both strongly associated with depression and anxiety. 🔷 Legal writers get little recognition or appreciation —Associates rarely receive positive feedback or even any acknowledgment for their writing efforts. —This lack of recognition can lead to feelings of undervaluation and diminished self-worth, both of which are risk factors for depression. ⬇️ All the above = stuff I spend a lot of time thinking about. Clients say to me they feel bad about themselves when they’re writing. They have no confidence. They’re constantly beating themselves up. They fear the criticism they know is coming. 🗳️ What do you think of my overarching premise? 🗳️ What would you add, or what steps can we take to address this problem? 💌 Amanda #DearLegalWriter P.S. Partners: Let’s nix the “Thx” to start!!!

As an Advocate practicing litigation at Patna High Court, I want to shed some light on the challenges and hurdles we face in our daily professional lives. While it can be an exciting and intellectually stimulating field, it's important to acknowledge the struggles that come along with it. Here are a few thoughts on the unique difficulties we encounter: ⏭️ Long Hours and Intense Workload: Litigation demands extensive research, meticulous preparation, and countless hours spent reviewing documents, drafting motions, and analyzing case law. We often find ourselves burning the midnight oil, sacrificing personal time and social commitments to meet deadlines and keep up with the demands of the courtroom. ⏭️ Stress and Emotional Toll: Litigation involves high-stakes matters where clients' livelihoods, reputations, or financial interests are at risk. The responsibility of representing clients can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. The pressure to perform at our best, coupled with the adversarial nature of the process, can lead to significant stress and anxiety. ⏭️ Balancing Multiple Cases: Litigators frequently handle multiple cases simultaneously, each at different stages of litigation. Juggling various matters with competing deadlines and priorities can be challenging, requiring exceptional organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage time and resources. ⏭️ Uncertainty and Unpredictability: Litigation is inherently uncertain. Despite thorough preparation, unexpected twists and turns can arise during trial or negotiations, making it difficult to predict outcomes. Navigating this uncertainty demands adaptability, quick thinking, and the ability to strategize on the spot. ⏭️ Emotional Investment in Cases: As litigators, we invest a significant amount of time, effort, and passion into our cases. We become intimately familiar with our clients' stories and the intricacies of their legal issues. When outcomes don't align with our clients' best interests, it can be emotionally challenging and disheartening. ⏭️ Professional Burnout: The demanding nature of litigation can lead to burnout if we fail to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It's crucial to find ways to recharge and rejuvenate to sustain long-term success in this field. Despite these struggles, a career in litigation can also be incredibly rewarding. The opportunity to advocate for justice, protect clients' rights, and make a positive impact in the legal system is what keeps us going. To my fellow litigators, let's remember to support each other, seek guidance when needed, and celebrate our victories, both big and small. Together, we can overcome the challenges and continue to thrive in this dynamic and important area of law. 💪🏼💼 #litigation #legal #legalissues

Why is the legal profession obsessed with suffering — and why do we pretend it’s a virtue? Somehow, somewhere along the way, “being a good lawyer” became tied to how much you can endure, not how well you can think. I see this especially around the SQE2 and early-career stages: 💭 No study leave? “That’s how we build resilience.” 💭 Working until midnight on top of exam prep? “Welcome to the profession.” 💭 Burnout, anxiety, exhaustion? “That’s just part of qualifying.” 💭 Ordered to resit within weeks while working full-time? “There are other applicants who can fill your role.” It’s almost as if suffering has become a weird badge of honour — a test of worthiness — instead of a sign that something is fundamentally broken. And the logic doesn’t even hold up: • Exhausted people don’t produce higher-quality work. • Sleep-deprived trainees don’t “learn faster.” • Lawyers who are constantly on edge don’t become better problem-solvers. • And stressed and unsupported candidates don’t magically perform better in exams. Yet the culture persists. Stress = commitment. Overwork = loyalty. Sacrifice = ambition. It’s absurd. I’ve worked with so many SQE2 candidates, paralegals and trainees who are doing everything right — and still feel like they’re failing because they can’t meet impossible expectations set by people who are set on ignoring human biology. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Pain tolerance is not a professional skill. Burnout is not a rite of passage. And suffering should not be part of the job description. If the legal profession truly cared about quality, ethics, and long-term excellence, it would stop glorifying exhaustion and start supporting the people who want to join it. 💬 Serious question: why do you think the culture of suffering is still so deeply embedded in law? #LegalProfession #SQE2 #FutureSolicitors #TrainingContracts #WellbeingInLaw #LegalCulture #Burnout #InHouseLaw #NQSolicitors #LawCareers

Earlier in my career, I was working half as much as I do now and felt completely miserable. As an attorney, I lived in constant fear of messing up. Every email loaded with legal advice felt like it had to be read and revised 5 times. I never felt like my work product was good enough, no matter how careful I was. Today, as a founder I work significantly more hours. But I'm energized, fulfilled, and happier than I've ever been professionally. The difference clearly wasn’t the workload. Truth is, while burnout is the single biggest threat to our profession, my take is that we've been thinking about it all wrong. Most people assume burnout comes from working too many hours. That’s surface-level. In reality, lawyers are primed for anxiety in ways other professions aren't. Our job literally requires us to spot risk all day long. Then, maybe 30% of the time, the business ignores our advice anyway. And we carry that burden personally, like a parent watching their child make a decision they know will lead to trouble. Now, research shows that when people frequently experience stress, their cortisol levels stay elevated, even when the actual stressful event or trigger has passed. That was me, living in that elevated state of stress every single day. And we know that cortisol is the cause of all sorts of illnesses and disfunction. Things took a positive turn for me when I started meditating. The same research showed that experienced meditators have completely different stress responses. After stressful events, their cortisol drops back to normal almost immediately. After building a meditation habit, my productivity increased, satisfaction improved, and ability to handle risk grew (which eventually led to founding @Streamline AI). I couldn't have made that leap in my previous mental state. My point is that if you're feeling constant spikes of anxiety that comes with legal practice, you're not alone. However, there are concrete steps you can take to address it. Your wellbeing matters. Our companies and internal clients needs lawyers who can think clearly and go the distance, not lawyers running on cortisol and adrenaline on the edge of burnout. It doesn't have to be meditation specifically, but if you can find something that'll help you decompress effectively, it’s worth exploring! (And yes, for me and Julian, it’s also scuba diving!!)

Lawyers these days, all over the world are so #stressed all the time! I know so many lawyers around me who are in a bad state of physical and #mental #health. That is the Silent Pressure of the Legal Field. Law is intense. The deadlines, the constant reading, the pressure to be "perfect." It never really stops. I’ve felt it too. -Juggling multiple #contracts, client calls, and last-minute revisions. - The mental exhaustion of reviewing every clause for the hundredth time. -That feeling when you finish one task, only to realize there are five more waiting. -The weight of knowing that one mistake could have real consequences. But here’s what I’ve learned: -Taking breaks isn’t laziness, it’s strategy. A 10-minute reset often solves what hours of staring at a screen couldn’t. - Not every email needs an instant reply. Urgency is relative—setting boundaries is key. -"Done" is better than perfect sometimes. You can refine, but overthinking slows progress. Law is a marathon, not a sprint.  Burnout helps no one. Not you, not your clients. I won’t pretend I have it all figured out, but I know this: Success in law isn’t just about working hard.  It’s about working smart. Why do you think we have the intersection of #AI and law in vogue these days? Well, thats coz everybody wants to work smart. If you're in the legal field, how do you deal with the stress? Let’s talk.