The Joyful Practice for Women Lawyers

Are you struggling to juggle work, parenting, and everything in between? Whether you're returning from parental leave or adjusting to the reality of raising young children, managing your time can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I'm diving deep into time management strategies for new parents, offering practical tools that go beyond the basic quick fixes.   I'll show you how to plan and schedule with your new reality in mind, how to delegate effectively both at home and at work, and how to make the most of small pockets of time, what I call "kettle time." We'll explore how to create a sustainable system that allows you to manage both your career and family without feeling like you're constantly behind. You'll be able to handle transitions with more ease and ensure you're prioritizing the right things, without losing sight of your own well-being.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/236   Webinar on December 5th, 2025: "From New Year Resolution to End of Year Result." Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yyOrp8oxQSefXRZ5ne77zg   Webinar on December 12th, 2025: "Lead Yourself Through Change in 2026." Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_naqV0MKuTxWGhNgX6UH0uw   Learn more and register for the 6-Month Mastermind: https://www.uplevelcpd.com/courses/leadership-for-women-lawyers-2026  

Do you ever swing between days of calm control and days of complete overwhelm? The rush, reactivity, and constant pivots can leave you ending the day wondering what just happened. In this episode, I'm helping you shift out of that cycle by focusing on three themes you can apply immediately: structure, elegance, and grace.   I'll show you how structure acts like a recipe when you have all the ingredients but no plan, how elegance cuts through complexity, and how grace creates flexibility for real life. With specific examples and doable frameworks, you'll see how to break your practice into three pillars—substantive work, relationships, and time—so your systems support you instead of the other way around.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/235   If you would like to work with me one-on-one, please get in touch: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/contact/

Do you ever feel like your emotions are running the show instead of you? Whether it's a difficult email, an unexpected request, or a tense conversation, reacting on impulse can leave you frustrated and off balance. This week, I'm helping you make one of the most transformative shifts for creating calm and confidence in every area of your life: moving from reacting to responding. When you learn to pause and regulate before taking action, you reclaim your ability to lead yourself and your circumstances with intention.   This episode wraps up my three-part series on creating less hustle and more calm. You'll walk away with practical ways to regulate your emotions, communicate with purpose, and strengthen your self-trust when things get intense. The tools we cover today will help you show up as the grounded, confident professional you want to be, no matter what your day brings.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/234   If you would like to work with me one-on-one, please get in touch: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/contact/  

Do you ever feel like your words are falling out of your mouth too quickly, leaving you feeling rushed and out of control? If you're speaking from a place of hustle, it's easy to lose your presence and authority in conversations. This week, we'll explore how to speak with greater calm and confidence so that your message lands clearly, and you come across as the capable, in-control lawyer you truly are.   In this episode, I'll walk you through three key challenges you might face when speaking in a "hustle energy" state and share practical strategies to overcome them. This week's challenge will help you practice speaking with authority, calmness, and clarity, setting you on a path toward stronger connections and a more intentional communication style.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/233   Click here to grab my time management podcast roadmap: https://mailchi.mp/d267dabde299/time-management-lawyers-podcast-roadmap

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of constant motion without much progress to show for it? When hustle becomes your default mode, even small wins can feel exhausting. In this episode, the first in a three-part series on Less Hustle, More Calm Reinvention, I'll show you how to step out of reactive patterns and create space for calm, clarity, and control—starting with how you plan and prioritize your time.   You'll learn two practical tools that will immediately shift how you approach your week. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear, actionable process to plan intentionally and prioritize what truly matters. You'll see how small, consistent adjustments can reduce overwhelm, improve focus, and set the foundation for a more sustainable and satisfying practice.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/232   Click here to grab my time management podcast roadmap: https://mailchi.mp/d267dabde299/time-management-lawyers-podcast-roadmap

Do you ever wish you could get more done in the same amount of time? So many lawyers feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, constantly juggling client work, family life, and personal commitments. In this episode, I'm sharing three practical strategies that will help you save time without overhauling your entire schedule. These are small shifts that create lasting results when you use them consistently.   By the end of the episode, you'll have tools to structure your day around what actually works for you. You'll learn to match your energy to your priorities, create routines that make your decisions easier, and find the freedom that comes from a schedule that supports both your work and your life.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/231   Click here to grab my time management podcast roadmap: https://mailchi.mp/d267dabde299/time-management-lawyers-podcast-roadmap

How can you transform your relationship with the billable hour from a source of stress into a tool for understanding and improving your practice? Many lawyers experience anxiety, dread, or frustration with billable hours, and for some, it even influences the decision to leave private practice. In this episode, we explore how to shift your perspective and see billable hours not as a burden, but as valuable information that can guide your professional growth and career satisfaction.   You'll gain practical strategies for working with billable hours in a way that reduces stress and increases clarity. You'll see how daily time tracking can reveal gaps and opportunities in your practice, how to align your billing targets with your long-term goals, and how to leverage this information to make intentional choices that support both your professional development and your well-being.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/230

Are you delaying tasks because they truly aren't a priority or because you are avoiding them? It can be hard to distinguish between conscious prioritization and procrastination, yet knowing the difference changes how you approach your work and your life. This episode helps you recognize which tasks deserve your focus and which may be holding you back.   I walk you through five key questions that help clarify whether you're consciously choosing what matters most or unconsciously avoiding tasks out of fear, discomfort, or overwhelm. You'll gain practical strategies for moving forward, whether that means delegating, breaking down daunting projects, or tackling the items you've been putting off for months.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/229

What does it really mean to take ownership of your legal practice? At every stage of your career, from junior associate to senior lawyer, understanding ownership is not just about capability. It requires a clear framework for how to manage your skills, relationships, and time effectively.   In this episode, I share a three-bucket approach that turns the abstract idea of ownership into a tangible framework. You'll learn how to audit your practice, pinpoint gaps that may be holding you back, and make targeted improvements in each area. From developing specialized expertise to cultivating strategic relationships and mastering practice management, this episode provides a clear roadmap to taking real ownership of your legal work.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/228

What can working with AI teach you about working with humans? In this episode, I share insights from my experiences with ChatGPT and what they reveal about communication, delegation, and collaboration. These lessons go beyond efficiency and highlight strategies that help us interact more clearly, thoughtfully, and effectively with the people around us.   This episode also highlights the value of uniquely human contributions, including action, emotion, and lived experience that AI cannot replicate. I discuss practical ways to apply these lessons in your work and life so that you can communicate with more clarity, empathy, and impact. You'll leave with strategies to ask better questions, build stronger relationships, and harness your humanness in ways that AI cannot.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/227

Do you ever find yourself second-guessing your abilities or avoiding opportunities due to a lack of confidence? Confidence plays a crucial role in how we show up as lawyers and leaders. Whether you're questioning a work assignment, hesitating to speak up in meetings, or unsure about a career transition, self-doubt often holds us back from making the decisions that align with our true potential. Even the most accomplished people experience these moments of uncertainty.   The good news is that confidence is a skill you can develop and grow over time. In this episode, I'll walk you through the process of developing confidence as a transferable skill. You'll learn how to navigate the cycle of commitment, courage, competence, and confidence. By taking action and embracing discomfort, you'll cultivate confidence that will allow you to take risks, trust yourself, and show up more powerfully in every area of your life. Building confidence isn't about perfection; it's about showing up and trusting your ability to grow.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/226

Do you ever feel that sinking sense of dread when you look around your space and see clutter piling up? Physical clutter, whether papers on your desk, toys in your child's bedroom, or dishes on the kitchen counter, can weigh on your mind just as much as it clutters your home. The longer it sits, the more overwhelming the task feels, and the harder it becomes to get started.   In this episode, I share three foundational strategies for tackling clutter with focus and intention. You'll learn how to structure your projects with clear outcomes and timelines, reframe your mindset from dread to motivation, and execute efficiently using practical hacks that actually work. These techniques apply whether you're organizing a drawer, a bedroom, or your whole home, helping you create spaces that reflect who you are now and support the life you want to live.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/225

Have you ever wondered why some people get energized by planning and organizing while others feel stressed just thinking about it? In this episode, I dive into my identity as an efficiency enthusiast. From structuring work and family life to maximizing time and resources, I share what it means to love systems, calendars, and routines, and why it matters in your work. Whether you relate or sit on the opposite end of the spectrum, you'll gain insight into how efficiency shapes professional and personal life.   I break down the pros and cons of being an efficiency enthusiast. I also share three confessions that reveal how my love of structure shows up in unexpected ways. By the end of this episode, you'll understand where you fall on the efficiency spectrum, how it impacts your professional and personal life, and practical ways to strike the right balance between structure and flexibility. You'll also gain strategies for making the most of your resources, avoiding common pitfalls, and giving yourself permission to rest without guilt as you transition from summer's slower pace into fall's busy rhythm.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/224

Have you ever had an experience that taught you valuable lessons about your career? Travel has a way of doing that—forcing us to step outside our comfort zones and discover new things about ourselves. Fresh back from a week in Paris with my husband and daughter, I'm sharing three key takeaways from our trip that not only transformed how I see the world, but also how I approach my work and career.   These lessons translate directly into legal careers where we often seek mentors' advice, face professional disappointments, and struggle to find our authentic voice. You'll learn why the best career decisions come from trusting your instincts over others' well-meaning suggestions, how professional setbacks create space for unexpected breakthroughs, and why your unique approach to practice matters more than following established patterns.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/223

Do you ever notice a persistent nudge or whisper inside that something in your life needs to change, but you feel stuck on the edge, unsure how to act? Making bold decisions often feels uncomfortable, whether it's leaving a job, having a difficult conversation, or taking on a big opportunity. In this episode, I explore how to recognize these nudges, give yourself permission to act, and step forward with confidence, even when the unknown feels overwhelming.   I share a four-step framework for moving from hesitation to action. You'll hear how focusing on what you can control, leaning into your intuition, and allowing space for uncertainty can change the way you approach bold choices. These insights are drawn from experiences in my own life and work with clients, illustrating how moving through discomfort can open doors you didn't know were there.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/222

Do you ever find yourself stuck in the cycle of indecision, feeling like you're constantly on the fence? As lawyers, we often pride ourselves on making clear, logical decisions, but sometimes, the weight of unmade decisions can weigh us down, cloud our clarity, and drain our mental energy. In this episode, I share my personal story of how indecision has held me back and the moment I finally broke free from it.   You'll learn three key reasons why indecision is keeping you in limbo, plus actionable strategies to help you break free. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear path forward to tackle your most pressing decisions and free yourself from the paralysis of indecision. You'll also learn why it's important to invest in growth, even when you're uncertain about your next steps, through the concept of "parallel tracks."   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/221

Do you ever feel like you're in a constant battle—whether with opposing counsel, difficult colleagues, or even your own self-doubt? As lawyers, our minds are one of our most powerful tools. Yet, many of us unintentionally fuel the very struggles we're trying to overcome, expending mental energy that could be better used to create the results we truly want.   In this episode, I'll share three thinking strategies that can revolutionize how you approach challenges in both your legal practice and life. Drawing on insights from thought leaders like Dr. Joe Dispenza and Neville Goddard, I'll show you how strategic thinking, grounded in both science and personal growth, can lead to tangible outcomes. By the end of this episode, you'll have a concrete framework for using your mind strategically, allowing you to create the results you want without overexerting yourself or overthinking.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/220

Do you find it difficult to set boundaries? For many lawyers, the idea of setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable, especially when the thought of saying no brings up feelings of guilt or fear of disappointing others. While most of us know we need clearer limits, enforcing them can often feel daunting. In this episode, I'll break down what happens when you start setting boundaries in your legal practice and personal life, offering a realistic look at both the benefits and challenges.   Drawing inspiration from What to Expect When You're Expecting, I'll give you a clear, relatable forecast of what to expect when you begin creating boundaries in your legal practice and personal life. I break down the journey into three chapters: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Whether you're setting boundaries for the first time or refining existing ones, you'll walk away with practical strategies and frameworks to help you move forward confidently.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/219

Do you shy away from giving tough feedback? As lawyers, we often find ourselves walking a fine line when delivering constructive criticism. Whether it's to colleagues, team members, or clients, these conversations can feel uncomfortable, but avoiding them only leads to bigger problems down the line. In this episode, I dive into the art of delivering constructive feedback in a way that maintains trust and promotes growth.   You'll learn how to create a culture of feedback in your practice, making difficult conversations feel more natural over time. With practical frameworks and real-world examples, I explore how to structure feedback conversations that are clear, actionable, and respectful. By the end of this episode, you'll have tools to address performance issues without damaging relationships, all while building a supportive and high-functioning team.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/218

Do you love the law but find yourself questioning traditional practice models? Freelance lawyering offers a completely different path for lawyers who love the legal work but struggle with traditional practice models. For those who find themselves questioning whether the partnership track, billable hours, or client management aspects of law practice align with their values and lifestyle, there's another way to use your legal skills while maintaining control over your career.   In this episode, I sit down with Erin Cowling, founder of Flex Legal and author of "The Modern Freelance Lawyer." Through our conversation, you'll gain insights into building a sustainable freelance practice, finding lawyer clients, and navigating the mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur. Whether you're considering freelance lawyering yourself or looking to hire freelance support for your practice, this episode provides a comprehensive look at this growing alternative to traditional legal careers.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://thejoyfulpractice.com/217