Professional stress and how to cope with it was the theme of a presentation organised by the Isle of Man Law Society and given by UK solicitor Judy Ramjeet.
Ms Ramjeet, a partner in the London law firm of Julian Young & Co, devised her de-stressing strategy - the subject of her soon-to-be published book - after drawing on her experiences as a solicitor and professional life coach.
The system she formulated, R.E.W.I.N.D - ‘Reflect’, ‘Energise’, ‘Walk’, ‘Inspire’, ‘No’ and ‘Delegate’ - was born out of her interest in personal development that began when she was a law student.
‘Lawyers are serially suspicious types who, in the main, have no time for “new-age mumbo jumbo”; phrases like “mindful meditation” and “inner peace” or chanting while adopting the lotus position. But lawyers do get stressed,’ she said.
‘R.E.W.I.N.D incorporates principles of personal development but in a jargon-free way that I’ve put together in my book. It’s not a weighty tome, more a slim manual that sets out in simple terms how through practising the strategy you’ll be less stressed and more productive.
‘Law today is a competitive business. I’ve been in practice 18 years and understand how lawyers think; they’re pragmatic people who want quick and effective solutions, and that’s what R.E.W.I.N.D offers if consistently applied. There’s also R.E.W.I.N.D Plus that goes deeper once you’ve established changes to your behaviour.’
REWIND at a glance:
‘Reflect’
Eyes-closed visualisation experience that uses as many senses as possible;
‘Energise’
Relax your muscles, shaking out hands, legs, feet for ‘almost instantaneous effect’;
‘Walk’
Walk away from your desk/scene of stress for five minutes once every hour to ‘switch the focus’ and gain clearer perspective;
‘Inspire’
Edge closer to your (perceived) unachievable goal/ambition by putting in place ‘a tiny plan’ known only to you;
‘No’
Train yourself to say ‘no’ to extra work at times when you’re already overstretched. (‘It’s important for professional integrity’);
‘Delegate’
‘Most lawyers are control freaks’ – put your skills to best use.
Concluding Ms Ramjeet consoled all over-worked, stressed advocates by urging them to reflect on the ancient and wise belief that ‘This too will pass’.
