There’s no question that the life of a lawyer is one that comes with long hours and a high level of stress and attention. 60+ hour work weeks are nothing out of the ordinary, and you may work 7 days a week without blinking an eye. As an ambitious lawyer, this may seem like what’s necessary to succeed, but lawyer burnout is prevalent and it’s likely that high stress levels will lead to job dissatisfaction.

Taking a summer vacation does not have to be a fully-planned, over-the-top trip. A long weekend hiking or a week at the beach may be all you need to recenter yourself and feel rejuvenated to return to work with more passion and energy. If you’re still unsure as to why you should step away from work and take a vacation this summer, consider these five simple, yet compelling, reasons.

Reason 1: Taking a break from work prevents burnout in the long run.

Recognizing the signs of burnout are important in knowing when you need to take a step away to recharge. Do you find it hard to concentrate at work? Do you feel unsatisfied by your achievements? Has your energy declined, making it more difficult to be productive? These are all warning signs of burnout, and if you’re feeling any of these, it's time to prioritize time away from the office. When you step away from your work long enough, you’re able to think more clearly when it's time to return, which leads us to reason number two.

Reason 2: Space to breathe allows for deep thinking and reflection.

Vacation offers ample time to unplug from work and other responsibilities so you can spend time reflecting on where you are in your life and career. When you’re going full speed 24/7 it’s hard to ask yourself if you’re truly happy and satisfied. Vacation provides the space to stop and take a moment to consider your current situation and assess whether or not your current job allows you to live the lifestyle you desire.

Reason 3: Stepping away and then coming back increases productivity.

You are simply more productive when rested. Researcher Mark Rosekind of Alertness Solutions found that the respite effect of a vacation can increase performance by 80%. Now doesn’t that sound nice? When you disrupt your day to day and make space for new experiences, you’re able to return to work with a new perspective and likely more creativity. When you’re well rested and given the space to think about something other than work, your stress level decreases and your overall health benefits because of it. And when it’s time to return to work, you’re able to jump back in with more passion and energy.

Reason 4: Time off allows you to recenter your mission and priorities.

If passion and energy has been lacking from your work, now's the time to ask yourself why. Are you too tired when you show up? Is your environment not welcoming or supportive? Do you have the time to do things outside of work that are important to you such as exercising, cooking, spending time with family and friends? Stepping away for a vacation, or even a quick adventure doing something you find joy in, sparks your passion and reminds you why you started doing what you do in the first place. Sometimes, after reflecting and asking yourself the hard questions, you realize your current role doesn’t serve you in the same way as it once did, and that’s ok. It’s important to know and recognize this so you can make steps forward.

Reason 5: You deserve the vacation time.

You work day in and day out to be the best lawyer you can be. At the very least you have earned the time off and you deserve to take time for yourself and your family. And if during that time off you recognize that your priorities and needs have changed, then we’ll be here to help you find your next great opportunity.

GGPAAS Recruiting can help you find a role with the potential to give you:

A new, more rewarding career opportunity
More time to spend with the important people in your life
A better sense of balance and purpose within your career

With access to an ever-growing database of opportunities, we can help you find one that speaks to you.

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