As the end of 2024 approaches, I find myself reflecting on the year that has been. This past year has been unique for me not because of any extraordinary achievements or career-defining moments. The year has been unique because I have done something I have never allowed myself to do before. I made a conscious decision to take a pause and just be present.
As lawyers — especially those of us in-house — the pressure to do more and to prove our value by how busy we are is often present. Meetings, emails, reports, crisis management — it can feel endless. But this year, I realized that I don’t always have to hustle. I don’t have to be busy for the sake of being busy. I don’t have to accept every opportunity that comes my way to write, to speak, to host, or to moderate. The legal profession, in general, often rewards constant activity but is that really the best way to work? Or to live?
This year I decided to stop buying into the busy to be busy mindset. I stopped rushing through each task just to get to the next one. I took time to breathe and to appreciate where I am and what I have. I didn’t just fill up my after-work hours with “productive” activities — I made space for the things that really matter. That change in mindset allowed me to spend more time with my colleagues, my friends, and my family.
- It gave me the chance to support colleagues (and their families) who were faced with personal and professional challenges. We attended events together. We ate together. We were present for each other.
- It gave me the chance to get to reconnect and spend time with old friends and deepen bonds with new friends.
- It gave me the chance to be with my family as we said goodbye to my grandmother and as we welcomed two more babies into the family.
These moments — the sad ones and the happy ones — they matter. In the legal profession, we are taught to compartmentalize, to stay professional no matter what and to go, go, go. The problem is when you are always on the go, you are constantly thinking about the next deadline and you find yourself missing the important moments that truly shape your life.
Here’s the thing about those important moments — they are fleeting. You never know how long those moments will last. This year reminded me of the immense value in simply being still, in allowing yourself to experience life without the constant hum of busyness.
2024 wasn’t about climbing the ladder or hitting new career milestones. It was about living. It was about stepping back, taking things in, and appreciating the here and now. I didn’t burn out this year. Instead, I gave myself permission to simply be — and it’s made all the difference. I’m grateful for the time I spent with my loved ones and for the lessons that this quieter year has taught me:
- I have learned that success isn’t all ways measured in productivity or how many tasks we complete.
- I have learned that success can be measured by the richness of the relationships we nurture, the personal growth we experience, and the balance we bring into our lives.
The work will always be there, but the people you love won’t be. The deadlines will come and go, but the memories you make — those are the things you will want to hold on to. As lawyers, we do have choices. We do not have to live in a perpetual state of hustle. We can find those quiet moments, and we can embrace them. And, for that, I am truly grateful.
Giving ourselves permission to pause, reflect, and be present in the moment is one of the most valuable choices we can make — for our well-being and for those we care about.
Sometimes, the greatest gift you can give yourself is the space to enjoy the journey.
For this, I am also grateful.
Lisa Lang is an in-house lawyer and thought leader who is passionate about all things in-house. She has recently launched a website and blog Why This, Not That™ (www.lawyerlisalang.com ) to serve as a resource for in-house lawyers. You can e-mail her at [email protected] , connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerlisalang/) or follow her on Twitter (@lang_lawyer).