How thinking like an athlete can make you a better lawyer
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Peak performance in high-stress environments. It's the goal for the basketball players taking the court during March Madness but just as much for players on a different kind of court. Lawyers can and should learn a lot from elite athletes, says Amy Wood.
In this episode of The Modern Law Library podcast, Wood shares her insights with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles. Wood, a clinical psychologist, has focused her career on attorney wellness.
She is the author of a new book, Lawyer Like an Athlete: How to Up Your Game at Work and in Life, published by the ABA’s Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division. Wood first developed Lawyer Like an Athlete as a CLE program, sharing tips on achieving physical and mental wellness, as well as preparing lawyers to maximize their work performance.
There are four characteristics that Wood identifies as being shared by star athletes and star attorneys: exquisite self-care, a grounded perspective, “nourishing diversions” and thriving relationships. Without attending to those elements, she says, it’s difficult for lawyers to sustain themselves in a high-stress profession.
Many lawyers enjoy extreme solo sports, such as marathon running. But don’t forget about team sports. There’s much that you can learn about personal performance from elite athletes, but it’s just as important to integrate lessons about team performance, Wood says. Are the people on your “team” helping you perform at your peak?
Wood and Rawles also discuss the importance of striving for a “fan’s perspective,” the importance of visualization, the cycle of workouts and recovery days, and five signs that it’s time to reach out for professional assistance.
In This Podcast:
Amy Wood
Amy Wood, a licensed psychologist and a certified executive coach, speaks frequently on attorney wellness and delivers CLE programming. She co-founded Human-Centered Leadership. She is the author of Life Your Way: Refresh Your Approach to Success and Breathe Easier in a Fast-Paced World and Lawyer Like an Athlete: How to Up Your Game at Work and in Life. She lives in Maine with her husband and dog and can be reached at AmyWoodPsyd.com.
