Paralegals: 6 Steps to Happiness

It’s time to do some soul searching. Do you see the glass as half empty? Are the majority of your posts on Facebook negative? Do you hold a grudge forever when you think you’ve been wronged? Are bad things always going to happen to you?

If you answered "Yes" to those questions, you're probably not a happy paralegal.  Do you want to be happy? Absolutely! But how? 

A person can’t just decide to be happy. So how are happy paralegals different from their miserable, pessimistic counterparts? They take actions that add up to a happy, well-lived life. 

These seven actions make the difference:

1. Happy paralegals laugh often. Laughter generates positive emotions and sets the mood for your day. So lighten up, relax, and laugh to enhance your mood, as well as that of the people you associate with.
   
   
2.  Happy paralegals F-O-C-U-S! Stop doing so many things at once. Happy paralegals can focus (not just on work, but on their family and friends) for extended amounts of time. When you multitask, your brain leaps from one unconnected thought to another, piling stress on your shoulders.
   
   Log off Pinterest and quit posting cute pet videos on Facebook. Happy paralegals understand that not everything is important. Chinese philosopher Lin Yutang said, “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”
   
   
3. Happy paralegals don’t obsess over the small stuff. Happy paralegals take a take a long view of life and don’t obsess over every short term setback or problem. Are you having a bad day? Tomorrow will be better. You didnʼt win that election? Nobody will remember this time next year – and you may even get another chance. You didn’t pass the certification exam? Just try again. No one needs to know how many times you tried...passing is the big news.
   
   
4. Happy paralegals engage in meaningful activities. Physical activity will reduce stress and boost your mood. There are many other “meaningful activities” that will also help with happiness. Time spent practicing yoga or meditation may work for you. For others, religious activities will be important. Reading, writing, quilting, knitting, scrapbooking, volunteering, etc. will give you a sense of calm.
   
   
5. Happy paralegals develop positive relationships. Companionship and love create a sense of belonging that will enhance your life. When you have compassion for the people in your life and know you are cared for in return, you will be happy. Be sure you share quality time with others and nurture your friendships – reconnect with that friend you haven’t seen in years; plan a movie night; invite friends for dinner.
   
   
6. Happy paralegals manage their expectations. Do you remember being terribly excited about an event (say a New Year’s Eve party) and, once it was over, you were disappointed because it didn’t live up to your expectations? Managing expectations is about eliminating the gap between what you expect and what actually happens. Focus on simply enjoying the moment.
   
   Managing expectations isn’t easy but when you are realistic about what will probably happen, you will save time, energy and disappointment should your expectations not be met. Consider your expectations and determine what areas of your life are frustrating. Perhaps you should manage your expectations for those areas.

While you can’t decide to be happy, you can decide to engage in actions that will bring you happiness. Do your soul searching. Consider this list and decide what is missing in your life. Then choose to take steps to fill that gap. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

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© 2015 Vicki Voisin, Inc.  Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? Feel f'ree to make your life easier and do that! Just be sure to include the following blurb with it:

Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She is the co-author of The Professional Paralegal: A Guide to Finding a Job and Career Success. Vicki publishes Paralegal Strategies, a weekly e-newsletter for paralegals, and hosts The Paralegal Voice, a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network.

More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com where subscribers receive Vicki's 151 Tips for Your Career Success.