The Midlife Reframe

Tag: Litigation Support

  • Gearing Down/Shifting Sideways

    As I continue to settle into my role, I am having to readjust boundaries and priorities.

    I am getting involved more in the day to day, and gaining insight into where bits and pieces of workflows can be replicated to bring efficiencies.

    If I haven’t mentioned this before, I will mention it now: I am surrounded by an amazing group of people. I feel fortunate to be able to engage with everyone and “talk shop”, while having fun doing it.

    I have been conditioned over the years to be ON all the time. Feeling the need (and sometimes being expected) to answer emails outside of my work hours on things that could wait until the next day, to work on tasks during my free time to “catch up”, and I always found myself watching my phone 24/7.

    This is where I struggle right now: the gearing down. I know what is expected of me and what isn’t, but that pull of always being on has been hard to shake. There are days that I find I am feeling “all over the place”.

    Having an environment where folks are mindful of a person’s personal time, and how they delegate work is a big shift. It has played a big part in my mental health journey over the past couple of months. My family has noticed, and definitely has the benefit of a much nicer me.

    The shift “sideways” has also been a welcome addition to my new workflow. Being able to look at processes, get feedback from all stakeholders, and begin to work on solutions for them has been fulfilling in ways I could not imagine.

    There are new avenues I am also exploring with some associations I belong to, and keeping up to date with all things eDiscovery fills my cup.

    Has it been hard to shift from being in a working manager role to managing processes? Absolutely – I would by lying if I said otherwise.

    Do I overstep sometimes? You bet I do.

    I am trying to afford myself the grace of making mistakes during this transition.

    With time, I will find my flow.

    For now, I know I can lean on those around me to keep me steady.

  • How Did I Get Here?

    I ask myself this often. Sometimes because I doubt my abilities. Other times because I’m frustrated.

    Imposter Syndrome is a beast.

    Everyone has experienced it.

    I do wonder sometimes – does my depression and anxiety amplify it? I ask that because it is all consuming when it does ramp up.

    The times I do not doubt myself, the times I do forge ahead with a decision, I feel great…for a while.

    Then it starts: do I really know what I am talking about? Who do I think I am?

    Well….

    I’m educated and experienced in both of my fields: Paralegal and Information Technology.

    Why does my brain attempt to tell me otherwise?

    Here’s what I know from experience, and why it matters.

    I know that the majority of the time (for me) it is fear that is showing up. My inner saboteur (what’s up Carl..yes, I named that voice) is trying to protect me from something.

    It could be something as “small” as embarrassment, or something as “big” as failure.

    And if I do fail? I learn something.

    In that moment of failure there is anger, frustration, you may get yelled at, and if it’s extreme enough you may get fired.

    I think it is in the aftermath that we should take time to try and breathe. Ask yourself the question: what have I learned?

    I own my mistakes. That’s important AND step one to moving forward.

    Another big thing: if you do not know the answer or solution in that moment, say so and commit to finding out.

    We all know that not everything goes the way it should.

    Sometimes I go down the rabbit hole of “what is the worse case scenario?”

    Then I live there. Not ideal, because you miss out on the “what if everything goes well?”.

    I have been very lucky to work with some great people, both colleagues and leaders, who have given me their insights, allowed me to lead them, learn, and who have also told me to stop underestimating myself (you know who you are).

    These folks are aware of all of it. They have also experienced the same self doubt, and the overthinking.

    In recent conversations, while mulling ideas over, I was reminded by a few friends that I DO have the knowledge and experience.

    Sometimes, it’s the simplest phrase in a conversation that confirms that you know what you’re doing, you’ve been doing it for years.

    I know how I got here.

    I have worked hard over the 20 plus (you’re not getting the actual time, that would date me, lol) years in these fields, and I do deserve to take up this space.

    You have worked hard.

    You have earned a spot at the table.

    Remember that, even when your brain tells you otherwise.