Lawyer Life Experiment

"I should have been made partner by now. I'm a failure." "I can't manage the load - does this mean I am weak?" "I don't see anybody else complaining, so there is something wrong with me." "I should try harder!" "I sound really stupid." "Gosh, am I fat. What a slob." How do you speak to yourself? Is it with the same kindness you'd offer a loved one or is it laden with self-criticism? If the former, keep it up! But most likely, there are things you say to yourself that you would not say to a loved one. Welcome to the episode on kindness; you need it to have a fulfilling, long-lasting and successful life and career.

We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.

Whether you're a seasoned reflector or a first-time voyager into end-of-year introspection, join us as we talk about how individuals and cultures around the world pause to ponder, learn and envision anew as they bid farewell to another year. We are believers that end-of-year reflection is good for you - for your brain, body and soul. It helps you notice your successes, and so it alleviates stress and lifts confidence, you discover something new about yourself, and it brings a sense of completion to the year that our human brain is craving for. 

We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.

In this episode of the Lawyer Life Experiment, Anya and Frieda go scientific! We delve into two psychological models to discuss the often unseen forces of influence that guide and shape our everyday decisions - the systems each of us is part of. Join us as we explain these two ways for you to look at the systems you are part of and reveal the profound impact they have on the choices that define your life.

You can find the graphic representation of the models using search engines: 
Model 1 - The Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision
Model 2 - Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Model

We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.

Anyone can feel unsure about themselves, and people experience it in different ways. It ranges from healthy self-reflection (e.g., 'I'm not yet good at networking') to debilitating self-doubt (e.g., 'I can't ask for a promotion because I'm not worthy' or 'Someone will find out one day that I am a bad lawyer and a fraud'). In this episode, we explore that range, when self-evaluation turns unhealthy, and how we can build resilience and confidence. As always, we finish off with an experiment for you to try.

Do send us your stories. We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.

 

As Anya approaches her 40th birthday in September and with Frieda already having two years of experience in her 40s, we dive into a discussion about midlife. We explore the juggling act of family, caregiving, health and career challenges that define this phase of life. We share the invaluable lessons we've learned. We celebrate the unique gifts that midlife brings. Join us for an honest conversation as we navigate these complexities while embracing the new opportunities that come our way.

We would love to hear your midlife stories! Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.

In this episode, Anya and Frieda explore the theme of getting unstuck in our romantic relationships and in our careers. We all sometimes find ourselves feeling lost or stuck, walking in a fog. These books take us on a journey of self-discovery, unconventional strategies for reinvention and finding your way when the path is unclear. Join us as we uncover the secrets to navigating career transitions and breaking free from unhealthy relationships.

0m27s - Intro
3m11s - Anya talks about the book that changed her career trajectory - "Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career" by Herminia Ibarra.
20m55s - Frieda talks about the book "Mr Unavailable and the Fallback Girl” by Natalie Lue that appeared in her life at just the right time.

We would love to hear your stories of getting unstuck in your career and romantic relationships! Email us your stories at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.

We are trying something new this week! We love thought-provoking books and often share book recommendations with clients. In this episode, we each reflect on one book which we've found inspiring on our journeys as lawyers and coaches. 

0m50s - we discuss the experiment of the previous episode "The Power of Pets in Stress Management"
8m00s - Frieda talks about the book "Four Thousand Weeks". It's a thought-provoking exploration of embracing the finite nature of time and making the most of our limited weeks on this Earth.
22m45s - Anya talks about the book "The Art of Possiblity" which presents 12 practices and mindset shifts for individuals seeking to redefine success, unleash their full potential, and create a more fulfilling and balanced life both personally and professionally.

We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes! Reach out to us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

It is Mental Health Awareness month. Join us as we dive into the science-backed benefits of spending time with a pet, from reducing anxiety and depression to helping you balance your energy for a more sustainable career. Frieda's dogs even take part in her coaching sessions! As always, we finish with an experiment and you can already guess that it will involve spending time with animals!

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

In this episode, Frieda and Anya explore the often-overlooked benefits of conflict. While most people view conflict as something negative to be avoided, we argue (no pun intended!) that conflict can be a powerful tool for positive change and improving relationships. Join us as we delve into how conflict can help us better understand ourselves and others, build stronger relationships, and improve workplace dynamics.

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

In this episode, we explore the concept of choice in the legal profession. Lawyers are so aware of the legal rights, but how do we navigate the limits of our own autonomy, are lawyers truly in control of their own daily actions or are they following the rules set by the system? We'll talk about how our mindsets impact our daily choices. We will also touch on the concept of "power of choice" from Viktor Frankl, which holds that even in dire circumstances, one can always choose one's attitude and mindset.  Join us as we question if lawyers truly exercise choice in their daily lives.

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

Join Anya and I for the final episode of 2022 as we reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly of 2022! Reflecting doesn’t come naturally to a lot of people. Often, we just sweep the past under the rug and move on forwards without a second thought. However, it’s actually really beneficial to acknowledge our achievements, to understand our challenges and to identify the things we've learned about ourselves and others, so that we can step into the future with intention. So grab a cuppa and come and have a giggle with us as we close off the year.
Happy holidays!
With Love, 
Frieda and Anya

With COP27 underway, we are reflecting on how climate change (and other world issues for this matter) affect lawyers personally. We have multiple elements in our life that want balance. Giving back affects us deeply. What we do might feel in dissonance with what we believe in. Or causes that matter to us might feel too big for us to change.  In this episode, we explore how we can express what matters to us within our lives in a way that is meaningful and available without having to drastically change our life.  

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

If you've had enough of mental health training, this episode is for you! We have heard so much about mental health in the wake of Covid, we became immune to the word.
In this episode, Frieda and Anya share personal stories to give you an insight into feelings, thoughts and other signs of when things are not going right and it's time to take action or ask for help. In fact, we'd encourage you to take action a step earlier than both podcasters did!

You are your best tool. Hone it!

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

Many people in the legal world changed jobs or quit their careers altogether during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we explore the reasons WHY people are choosing to shake up their livelihoods and investigate new opportunities and different ways of working - both inside and outside the law.  We also discuss what HR teams and Managers can do to retain key talent in this post-COVID world.

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

What beliefs do you hold about yourself around mistakes? Have you ever failed and what impact has it had on you? Join us as we talk about the psychology of failure and the impact of self-talk. Learn about association-disassociation from failure. And try the practical exercise on managing negative self-talk to build resilience, improve confidence and free up your potential.

If you would like to do deeper work on confidence and rewrite disempowering self-talk, please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

Join us as we talk about effective communication. What it is, how to understand the impact your communication style has in your personal and professional life and how to improve your communication skills.

If you would like to work on your impact further, please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

Time management is a highly valued skill in the corporate world. When professionals want to improve, they are told to keep track of their projects, prioritise, delegate, use time management tools to be your most efficient self with a dream to get to the bottom of your to do list (aka Pomodoro method).  

In this episode, Frieda and Anya argue that this approach to time management as being more efficient glosses over the most important thing: what are you spending your time on. Time is your biggest asset and it's not only about work, it's about how we choose to spend the 40,000 weeks that we have on this earth. 

If it resonates with you and you would like to explore your professional and personal growth further, please get in touch: Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

More than two-thirds of lawyers (69%) have experienced mental ill health in 2021, according to the survey of around 1,700 legal professionals by legal charity LawCare. In this episode, Frieda and Anya explore how much the billable hour mindset has to contribute to this and what individuals, corporates and authorities can do about it. 

We challenge YOU to do this episode's mindset experiment - we believe that an individual's mindset shift can change the future of the legal profession.

If it resonates with you and you would like to explore your professional and personal growth further, please get in touch: Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

We can be so driven to move on to the next task, the next stage, the next project, that we want to skip the celebration of our accomplishments and miss the chance to discover more about ourselves and the keys to our success. The end of the year is the perfect time to talk about how to close the year to support your growth and success. Happy holidays to everyone!

If it resonates with you and you would like to explore your professional and personal growth further, please get in touch: Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

For working parents and their colleagues and managers. Tune in as Frieda (no kids) and Anya (mum of two) have an open conversation on how working parents are perceived in the workplace. Expect practical tips for working parents, their colleagues, managers and organisations. And listen to a view from the non-parent side too. Let's get a shared understanding of both sides of the coin. As always, we finish with an experiment for working parents and their colleagues to try out.

If it resonates with you and you would like to explore your professional and personal growth further, please get in touch: Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

Please rate, review and subscribe.   

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)