Don't Forget to Laugh and Celebrate the Wins
Laughter is good medicine. Don't believe us? Google it. Don't forget to laugh. Find humor in things. Laugh at yourself. Laugh at others. Just work at being happy. It's proven that laughing causes a positive reaction in the brain.
Don't forget to do it. If you have a hard time, might we suggest Schitt's Creek or Mythic Quest?Also, don't forget to celebrate your victories. You win a trial. You crush an assignment. A client sends you an email telling you that you rock. Celebrate. Take a minute out of the day to smile and reflect. Go buy yourself a gift. Tell a friend. Don't simply move onto the next thing and forget about the wins. It's important to focus on the next problem, but taking stock in victories (large and small) is a key ingredient in sustaining a positive mindset throughout your career.
Failing to enjoy the victories is also frustrating to others in your orbit (particularly those who may not be lawyers). One of Jason's biggest arguments with his wife was around him having a nice outcome on a deal as a venture capitalist. He never told his wife and she learned from a friend of hers. When she asked Jason why he hadn't said anything, he noted that he was fixated at the time having to deal with an issue at another portfolio company. She couldn't possibly understand how Jason got no satisfaction out of a really good outcome and instead only focused on the next problem he had to solve. Jason has since learned. 