Title: Thriving as a Lawyer: Applying the PERMA Model for Success

In the high-pressure world of law, thriving goes beyond merely surviving the workload.  The fundamental premise that underpins everything we do at the Thriving Lawyer is the idea that a thriving lawyer is necessarily a thriving human.  

A major framework that we use is Martin Seligman's PERMA(H) model of wellbeing.  The model is a foundational model from positive psychology.  Positive psychology is the science of human flourishing.  

These concepts can be applied in a coaching context to help us thrive.  

Understanding the PERMA Mode

PERMA stands for Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. In the context of law, integrating these elements can significantly enhance a lawyer's professional satisfaction and overall well-being.

Positive Psychology scholars now often add 'H' for health to the model in recognition of the foundational role of health.  

Positive Emotion

This is about cultivating positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, serenity, and contentment. They aren't about being happy all the time. 

It is really important for lawyers - who can be sceptical - to note that this is not toxic positivity.  

It is not about ignoring challenges or negative events or emotions, but rather, consciously fostering positive emotions where appropriate.  

Engagement

This is about engagement with what we are doing.  A big part of it is getting into flow - those moments where we become one with task at hand.  

Lawyers thrive when they are deeply engaged in their work, embracing tasks that ignite their curisoity, passion and engage their skills.

Relationships

Lawyers are humans.  Humans are social beings.  Social beings need relationships.

As busy lawyers, its easy to neglect this one.  We get too 'busy' to focus on our important relationships.  

Relationships are just those in our private lives - they are the relationships we foster with our colleagues, clients and even the barista who knows our name and coffee order.  

Meaning

This is about the sense of meaning and purpose you get from your work.  The sense that there is meaning and purpose beyond yourself.  

This can often be a big one for lawyers: after all, many of us get into law because of an inherent interest in broader ideas of justice.  

Reflecting on the reasons you chose to enter the field and aligning your daily tasks with those values can provide profound satisfaction.

When lawyers are able to see how their contributions make a larger impact, we can experience this sense of meaning and purpose. 

Achievement/Accomplishment

This is all about what we achieve.  This is often a big one for lawyers, who are frequently high performers.  

Seeking achievement is absolutely an important source of wellbeing.  

In our view though, a risk for lawyers is that we over-index on this one, perhaps at the cost of other important sources of wellbeing.  

Health 

Our mental and physical wellbeing.  

Again, its very easy as lawyers to get caught up in a cycle of being busy, and to neglect this one.  There is always another matter, or some other obligation.  

Yet, it is so fundamental to our thriving. 

Applying PERMA to increase lawyer wellbeing 

This is such a practical framework.  

To begin to apply it, ask yourself: Which source of wellbeing are you neglecting (if any)? If you were to pay attention to just one area that would have the biggest (positive) impact on your life, what would it be? 

What is one simple, small step you could take in that area? 

For example, perhaps you are busy with a major matter at work and working long hours.  You're neglecting your relationships. Perhaps calling a friend for a 5 min chat is one step you could take.  

For more insights and practical tips on to apply the PERMA(H) framework to thrive as a lawyer, please listen to our podcast above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.