At the GP/Solo conference in Santa Fe next month, there’s a presentation called Pajama Practice: Lawyering in a Home Office. Obviously I don’t do any lawyering, but I do work from home. Not usually in pajamas, which are inconvenient when I have to walk the dog. My office is a separate space; it looks like an office. I have a second phone line and the Fed Ex guy & gas meter reader know not to ring the bell because I work over the phone. It’s an office. But it’s at home. And now and then, I don’t want to go to work.

Self-motivation is my main motivation, so attitude is critical for me. However, I know from my clients that even though you have court dates, deadlines and dire consequences, lawyers occasionally experience this as well. When I get to the point where I need to acknowledge the problem and deal with it, here’s what I do:

1. Identify the work that I’m looking forward to this week or that HAS to be done this week
2. Reschedule everything else, ideally clearing at least one entire day - note, for me, this includes personal errands like making doctor, dentist, veterinarian, sprinkler guy, electrician, etc. appointments. This step is critical. Unless I reschedule time for the work I’m postponing, I’m not actually free of it.
3. Clean my office. It’s a chicken/egg case- I don’t know if I create piles of files because I need a break from work, or if I need a break from work because I’m avoiding my office. Organizing my office might clear up the “don’t wanna go to work” condition entirely!
4. Schedule a lunch, coffee or something with a person who always motivates me. This isn’t about asking for a pep talk, this is getting together with someone who always leaves me in a better, more energetic mood.
5. Depending on what sounds good, I either schedule activities I enjoy into my new free time, or I leave lots of white space on my calendar. Sometimes it’s delightfully wicked to have nothing planned.

It takes me a couple days to miss work, then I’m ready to get back into the office. Usually I burn out when I’ve been super busy. I get rebellious and want time for me. I’ve learned that it’s important to take the time off at that point, even if I feel I shouldn’t. I’m both unhappy and unproductive, which means I’m wasting time trying to work. Operating in “should” mode isn’t sustainable!

Recognize when you’re burning out and do something about it. If you truly can’t take time off in the near term, get days off onto your calendar as soon as possible. It’s easier to motivate if you know there’s an end to the current grind that’s wearing you down.

A home office offers great flexibility, but sometimes it seems it might be easier to have a group of people who expect you to show up at the office. When you’re running short on motivation, don’t waste time berating yourself. It’s a legitimate condition- as always, don’t worry about it. Do something about it. Even if it means doing less!

Last word- prevention is the best cure. When you see have an intense time coming up, schedule a break afterwards. That way you don’t need to go through the burnout phase and life is a lot more enjoyable.