The Pursuit of Happiness in today’s Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reveals tips from six experts who conduct “happiness research”.  I’ve taken the tips and adapted the commentary to make it relevant to stressed lawyers:

1.  Relish the Day. As the article explains, once an individual attains a goal, instead of relishing success, he or she often begins to long for the next accomplishment.  I have seen–and personally experienced–this phenomenon.  The sweet success of closing a deal or winning a case can be all too short lived.  Rather, as the article suggests, lawyers should strive to relish and celebrate their successes, long after they have occurred.  Mementos like deal toys serve as potent reminders of successful closings.  Lawyers should think of other ways to remind themselves of and celebrate their successes, whether by buying commemorative gifts, framing newspaper articles celebrating their success, framing photos of the “winning team”, or holding celebratory dinners to mark the occasion.

2.  Seeing Friends.  Demanding jobs leave little time for friends and family–yet, socializing creates some of the most meaningful experiences.  As the article explains, the thrill of a larger salary will quickly fade, but the importance of connections with friends and family does not diminish.  The holidays provide lots of chances to interact with loved ones.  Do it.

3.  Buying Happy Memories.  The article suggests that “buying” memorable experiences can create happiness.  In other words, spend money on creating experiences (trips, evenings out, etc.) that will be meaningful to you down the road. For example, you might tack a few days onto your next business trip and enjoy them with you, and invite family or friends to fly over and join you.  Or, you might purchase tickests to a special performance at the theater. Capture the essence of those experiences with photos and purchased mementos.

4. Limiting Your Options.  Too much choice creates anxiety, the article posits, so limit your options (or even better, commit to a choice) to increase your happiness. So, rather than noodling about which vacation to take, or agonizing over which new watch to buy yourself, make a choice and move forward.  According to the article, you will be happier having made a decision.

5 .  Avoid Commuting.  Because commuting causes great stress–because it’s unpredictable and uncontrollable–limit your commute whenever possible.  International lawyers who have to travel long distances for business especially suffer from business travel woes.  However, to the extent that they can reduce their home-office commute, they should do so to reduce their stress.