Priorities, Perspective, and Perseverance

Priorities

Priority 1: Family first. Being together 24/7 can create strain, or it can forge new bonds. We have to make the conscious choice to be positive and make the most of our day to day reality. Some days, some hours of the day, it is hard for us all to be on the same page. But we need to work together to come out of this as a strong family, made up of resilient individuals.

Priority 2: Physical health. Stay home! Eat healthy. Get some exercise every day. Plant a garden (great activity for kids!). Make time to laugh and enjoy every day.

Priority 3: Emotional health. I debated whether this was 1, 2 or 3—it is an essential element of family first and physical health. Each of us should have some alone time each day to focus on centering ourselves. Do a gratitude inventory at least once per day: what are you grateful for in your life? I am a big believer in maintaining an attitude of gratitude, especially when it seems hard to do! We should also make the effort to check in with family and friends, both near and far. And if YOU need someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on, reach out. Don’t hold it in. We’re all having ups and downs right now, and we’re all in this together.

Priority 4: My clients and my business. I can only help others if I am taking care of 1, 2 and 3! But my clients and the ongoing health of my business are very important to me. I’ve worked hard to become a lawyer and to build my business. The importance of nurturing my clients and my business is something I have talked about with my family, to make it a family as well as personal priority.

Perspective

I don’t know about you, but some of those things that seemed like a big deal a few months are not so important anymore. I’m working hard at not sweating the small stuff. I’m reminding myself let my priorities dictate my actions. For example, I found myself making so much time available to everyone else, that time for my family and myself were suffering. I love my clients, and I love helping people, but I can only help others effectively if I am taking care of my family and self first.

Perseverance

On one hand, this is the time for big picture thinking about what is important in your life, and to your family.

On the other hand, trying to do long-term planning right now can make you crazy. A month ago I promised myself to just take each day and each week as it came. I’m only looking 90 days out for “long-term” planning (well, trying!).

When I get overwhelmed, I look at what can I do in the next hour, the next day, the next week. I also look at priority 1—what does my family need most from me now?

We’re in this together. We can get through this.

I’m Open for Business!

I’m working from home, and probably putting in more hours now than when I was going in to the office! All of my meetings right now are being done by video and telephone. It has been working out well.

Email is the best way to reach me right now, but calls work too.

Take care, and stay well.