{"id":23071,"date":"2014-09-12T10:59:05","date_gmt":"2014-09-12T15:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/?p=23071"},"modified":"2014-09-13T11:46:32","modified_gmt":"2014-09-13T16:46:32","slug":"chasing-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/2014\/09\/chasing-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Chasing Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Happiness\"<\/a>A July 2014 article in the Wisconsin Lawyer magazine<\/a> describes a nationwide study about the happiness of lawyers.\u00a0 This study shows factors that correlate with lawyer happiness, as well as those that don\u2019t correlate.\u00a0 Those factors that correlate most strongly are what the article calls internal factors, and the factors that are least likely to correlate are external factors.\u00a0 The internal factors relate to how well a person is able to communicate and interact with others, and the external factors relate to points largely outside one\u2019s immediate control.<\/p>\n

The article highlights the following internal factors, which positively influence lawyer happiness:<\/p>\n

\u2022Autonomy, or being authentic and having a sense of control over one\u2019s choices (0.66)
\n\u2022Relatedness to others (0.65)
\n\u2022Feeling competent in performing one\u2019s job (0.63)
\n\u2022Internal motivation at work (0.55) \u2013 that is, finding the work itself meaningful, enjoyable, and so on, rather than being motivated by external factors, such as pressure from others or needing to impress others
\n\u2022Autonomy support at work (0.46)
\n\u2022Intrinsic values (0.30) \u2013 these may include personal growth, helping others, and so on, in contrast to such extrinsic values as power, affluence, and others<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/p>\n

The good news about these factors is that they are attainable workplace goals, and these factors apply to any workplace setting, not just law firms or other places where lawyers work.\u00a0 In other words, these are factors that lawyers and the settings that employ them can foster, regardless of the type of legal work being done in that setting.\u00a0 Moreover, many of the factors on the list are within\u00a0an employee’s\u00a0grasp, and being in control is an important component in reducing stress.<\/p>\n

External factors least influence lawyer happiness and include:<\/p>\n

\u2022Income (0.19)
\n\u2022School debt (0.19)
\n\u2022Class rank in law school (0.12)
\n\u2022Law review membership (0.00)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I see this list as being positive for lawyers and perhaps in particular law students.\u00a0 While law students should strive to do well in school and take advantage of opportunities such as internships, law review, and moot court, ultimately, whether a person is at the very top of their class or has achieved certain status markers in law school does not correlate with their long-term happiness.<\/p>\n

That means students should hopefully take the opportunity to see law school for what it is\u2014an extraordinary chance to learn, grow, and develop critical thinking skills, along the path to an interesting, challenging, and potentially fulfilling career.\u00a0 Students should not ruminate about status markers, if they can help it, as that leads to self-defeat and lack of productivity.\u00a0 Students should instead chase the courses and extracurricular activities that make them happy and pique their interest.\u00a0 They may be surprised by what interests\u00a0come to the forefront, and those leanings may show them the path to a happy career.<\/p>\n

At Marquette, an array of practical, skills-based course offerings, mentoring opportunities, and academic success programs increase students\u2019 sense of competency and provide autonomy support.\u00a0 Eckstein Hall\u2019s open-concept design also encourages students to connect with each other and faculty, fostering relationships among those in the building.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A July 2014 article in the Wisconsin Lawyer magazine describes a nationwide study about the happiness of lawyers.\u00a0 This study shows factors that correlate with lawyer happiness, as well as those that don\u2019t correlate.\u00a0 Those factors that correlate most strongly are what the article calls internal factors, and the factors that are least likely to 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