Lawyer productivity isn’t just about increasing your hours—it’s about managing your energy and focus. Many attorneys fall into the trap of thinking that the more they work, the more successful they’ll be. But as today’s guest, Shari Biery, explains, that approach can quickly lead to burnout.
Shari is a Nationally Board Certified Health Coach and a military spouse who found herself completely depleted during her husband’s retirement. She realised that she had been carrying the mental and emotional load for too long without any meaningful rest. That realisation sparked her transformation and inspired her to help others do the same through her coaching business, Alive with Purpose Health & Life Coaching, LLC, and her forthcoming book, It’s Your Turn.
She joins host Molly McGrath for an honest conversation about why rest is not a luxury but a necessary business strategy, especially for lawyers who want long-term success.
Quote of the Show:
“Rest is a Revenue Generating Activity.” — Shari Biery
Lawyer Productivity Depends on Mental Space and Clarity
When your calendar is packed and your mind is racing, the solution isn’t to push harder—it’s to pause. Productivity doesn’t thrive in chaos. It grows from moments of stillness that allow you to think clearly and set meaningful priorities.
Shari reminds us that even five minutes of deep breathing can reset your nervous system and help you regain control. For lawyers juggling dozens of tasks, clients, and decisions every day, this isn’t a break—it’s a high-leverage action.
Lawyer productivity improves when you learn to stop reacting and start responding. That starts with mental clarity, and mental clarity begins with rest.
Lawyer Productivity: Busyness Does Not Equal Value
In today’s world, many lawyers have internalised the message that their worth is tied to how busy they are. Shari challenges this belief head-on. Being constantly overwhelmed doesn’t make you more valuable; it makes you less effective.
As she explains, overwork is often glorified in legal culture. But the truth is, nobody does their best work when they’re exhausted. Lawyers who continue pushing through without pause eventually lose creativity, motivation, and decision-making sharpness—all of which are critical to building a successful practice.
When you take time to rest, you’re not being lazy—you’re protecting your ability to serve your clients at the highest level. In other words, rest is work. It’s part of the job.
Your Life Outside Work Affects Lawyer Productivity
You might think that your personal life and your legal work are separate, but they’re not. Disorganisation, stress, or burnout in one area inevitably bleeds into the other. Shari shares that how you do one thing is how you do everything, and it’s true: if your home life feels chaotic, your legal practice probably will too.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about self-awareness. Lawyers who take time to reflect, plan, and rest outside of work often report better focus, faster turnaround times, and stronger leadership within their teams.
So if your practice feels disorganised, start by looking inward. What habits are showing up in your everyday life that might be holding you back?
Use Your Senses to Gauge Your Lawyer’s Productivity
Tuning in to how you feel—physically, mentally, and emotionally—is one of the most underrated strategies for boosting lawyer productivity. Shari encourages lawyers to check in regularly: Are you feeling tense? Exhausted? Disconnected?
If so, it might be time to take a step back and recharge. This doesn’t require a week-long vacation. Sometimes it’s about turning off notifications, taking a walk between calls, or simply giving yourself permission to breathe.
These small, intentional pauses can help you return to your work with more clarity, patience, and effectiveness. Don’t ignore the signs your body is sending. Use them to lead smarter.
Audit Your Circle: Who’s Lifting You Up?
Another factor that affects lawyer productivity is your environment, including your relationships. Shari points out that energy-draining people are one of the biggest culprits of stress and burnout. Whether it’s colleagues, clients, or even friends and family, the people around you influence how you feel—and how you perform.
If you notice yourself feeling depleted after certain interactions, take note. Set boundaries. Protect your mental and emotional energy like it’s one of your firm’s most valuable assets—because it is.
Creating a supportive, uplifting environment allows you to perform at your best and lead from a place of strength instead of survival.
Lawyer Productivity: Debunking the “Hard Work or Nothing” Myth
We’ve all heard the slogans: “You can sleep when you’re dead,” “Hustle harder,” and “Success takes sacrifice.” These might sound motivational, but they’re often harmful, especially in high-pressure industries like law.
Shari encourages attorneys to rewrite the script. Sustainable success doesn’t require endless struggle. In fact, many top performers across industries attribute their success to intentional rest, not just relentless work.
You can still be ambitious and driven while honouring your health and boundaries. Lawyer productivity is not about working more—it’s about working smarter. And that includes knowing when to stop.
You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone
Many lawyers pride themselves on being self-reliant. But Shari says one of the most powerful things you can do is ask for help. That might mean outsourcing tasks in your firm, saying no to new projects, or even working with a coach to build new habits.
Whatever it looks like for you, asking for support isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a strategic decision that enables you to focus on what matters most.
Great leaders delegate. Great lawyers recharge. And great firms are built by people who know how to do both.
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Build Better Lawyer Productivity With Rest and Boundaries
Want to lead your firm without burning out? We’ve got you. Visit our blogs for fresh insights on improving lawyer productivity, well-being, and leadership. Or, explore our podcast series for real-world stories and expert strategies that help lawyers grow successful firms, without losing themselves in the process.
Written by Molly Hall McGrath