08 How Perfectionism Fuels Lawyer Burnout—Even If You Don’t Think You’re a Perfectionist

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The Lawyer Burnout Solution

Heather Mills

28 episodes

1 day ago

You might think burnout is just part of the deal in law, but it’s really about what we’ve been socialized to believe we “should” be doing to prove ourselves, especially as women. The good news is that you can change those thought patterns and create a career that doesn’t burn you out. Hosted by Heather Mills, a coach and former class action attorney, this show offers practical tools to help you escape burnout culture without sacrificing your career or income. You’ll learn how to restore your energy, build a sustainable legal career, and stay in control of your success. Press play and take the first step toward feeling good in your career again. Heather understands the unique pressures for women in law – the urge to prove yourself, the drive to overwork and be perfect, the expectation to put in endless hours, and all the ways we’re taught to measure our worth by how much we achieve and do for others. That's why she's on a mission to end burnout culture for women in law. This show is all about giving you the concrete tools, strategies, and mindset shifts you need to reclaim your energy, confidence, and career. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by long hours, wondering how long you can go on like this, or questioning if success has to come at such a high personal cost, this podcast provides the support you need. Tune in every week to break free from burnout and discover how to create a legal career that actually feels good to live in, not just impressive on paper.

All content for The Lawyer Burnout Solution is the property of Heather Mills and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

08 How Perfectionism Fuels Lawyer Burnout—Even If You Don’t Think You’re a Perfectionist

The Lawyer Burnout Solution

16 minutes

4 months ago

08 How Perfectionism Fuels Lawyer Burnout—Even If You Don’t Think You’re a Perfectionist

You meet every demand, carry the weight no one sees—and still feel like you’re falling short. For many women lawyers, that’s not just stress—it’s perfectionism.

Perfectionism doesn’t always look like obsessively color-coded calendars or flawless execution. Sometimes, it looks like procrastinating because you’re afraid to get it wrong. Or re-reading an email five times before sending it. Or showing up to every meeting overprepared, just to feel “good enough.”

In this episode, we unpack how perfectionism quietly fuels burnout in high-achieving women lawyers—especially those who don’t feel like perfectionists at all. If you’re constantly overworking, second-guessing, or trying to prove your worth, this episode will help you understand why that pressure exists—and how to loosen its grip.

You’ll learn:

The two hidden perfectionism loops: Hustle for Worth and Shame Shutdown
Why overfunctioning, procrastination, and people-pleasing are often survival strategies in disguise
How the legal profession trains your nervous system to associate perfection with safety—and what to do about it
Small, nervous-system-safe shifts to help you work differently without lowering your standards

You'll also hear real stories from women who began identifying and interrupting these patterns—and the clarity, confidence, and relief they found on the other side.

Whether you're a partner, a law student, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you connect the dots between your inner drive, your exhaustion, and the cultural and professional systems that reinforce them.

Want more support?

🔹 Try the Free Burnout Recovery AI Assistant: Pinpoint which phase of burnout you’re in—and get a personalized next step to start feeling better (without blowing up your life). www.heathermillscoaching.com/AIAssistant

🔹 Book a free 20-minute call: Talk through your burnout challenges and get support on what to do next. www.heathermillscoaching.com

🔹 Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn: Get weekly tips, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes support for your burnout recovery.

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:

🔹 Episode 08 - How Perfectionism Fuels Lawyer Burnout—Even If You Don’t Think You’re a Perfectionist

https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/08-perfectionism-and-lawyer-burnout

Related Podcast Episode:

🔹 Episode 05 – Is It You or the Job? The Real Internal Causes of Lawyer Burnout
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/05-the-internal-causes-of-lawyer-burnout