Mindful Practice CLE
Mindful Practice introduces attorneys to the basic concepts of Mindfulness and provides accessible techniques to reduce stress at work. Participants receive a brief overview of the history and neuroscience behind Mindfulness and experience with guided Mindful Practices in a group setting. Mindful Practices such as sitting and counting one’s breath or walking meditation, help to center participants in the present moment. However, the bulk of the presentation will focus on the benefits of practicing mindfulness for attorneys and best practices for incorporating those practices in an approachable manner.
Why Attorneys Need Mindfulness
Why is “staying in the present moment” valuable professional skill for attorneys? As lawyers we are often distracted by future deadlines, incoming emails, or recent negotiations. This multitude of distractions can lead to mistakes or feeling overwhelmed as the demands on our time increase. These associated stressors contribute to the high rates of depression, substance abuse, and burn out in the legal profession. Learning to practice mindfulness is a free and easy way to mitigate the underlying stressors that lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Introducing mindfulness causes attorneys to pause and asses their work-life balance and promotes greater mental and emotional health in the workplace.
In addition to the positive effect on attorneys’ quality of life, learning mindfulness leads to improved interactions with clients and fellow attorneys in the field.
Listening: Listening is a key component of counseling. Too often lawyers are distracted when meeting with their clients, checking emails or thinking about the next meeting rather than the present client. The focus that accompanies mindfulness training allows attorneys to set aside distractions and focus on their client’s key concerns.
Monitoring Emotions: During challenging negotiations, it is common for emotions to run high and for lawyers to become combative with their colleagues. Mindfulness training allows for lawyers to monitor and adjust their emotions in real time, leading to more open and rational communication.
Continuing Legal Education Course - Outline
1. What is Mindfulness?
a. Provides a definition for “Mindfulness” and dispels misconceptions around the term.
2. How To Meditate
a. An explanation of the process for breath meditation.
3. Breathing Exercise
a. A guided meditative breathing exercise to give participants an experience meditating.
4. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
a. An explanation of the neuroscience supporting the positive effect mindfulness meditation has on stress levels.
5. Mindfulness and Legal Practice
a. A talk on how meditation can improve our ability to function as attorneys.
6. Mindfulness Meditation v. Mindfulness Practices
a. Introduction to the idea of Mindful Practices, a more approachable way to incorporate mindfulness into one’s daily life.
b. Experience walking meditation, an example an accessible Mindful Practice.
7. Tips, Tricks, and Apps for Mindfulness
a. Introduction to the various Apps for learning and practicing mindfulness.
8. Conclusion
a. A summation of the concepts presented.