Life throws punches. When you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with work issues, and facing the unexpected, it’s easy to feel knocked off balance.
As a trial lawyer at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, I help people navigate some of the most difficult times in their lives – times often filled with immense stress and uncertainty. It’s my job to help clients fight for the compensation they may deserve so that they can restore balance back to their lives. But long ago, I learned that to help others persevere and achieve positive outcomes, you have to know how to live (and learn) through life’s challenges yourself.
My Wake-up Call
Life as a lawyer, like many demanding professions, can feel like a battleground. The pressures are intense, and the stakes are incredibly high – often life-changing for our clients. For years, I thought the answer was simply to work harder, be better, and achieve more. But I was just existing, not thriving.
My perspective changed dramatically one night in 1999. After finishing a deposition in Durham, I was shot in a parking lot. Recovering from that experience forced me to think deeply about my own mortality and what was truly important. The clichĂ©, “Enjoy life today, because tomorrow might not come,” suddenly held real meaning. I realized I needed to do more than just exist; I needed to start living.
This realization set me on a path of change. I eventually stepped away from practicing law for over a decade to pursue a dream of becoming a journalist. It was a leap of faith into the unknown, but that journey took me around the world, producing stories for 60 Minutes and often putting me in dangerous situations.
Interestingly, despite the external dangers, I found that the stress and anxiety I had felt as a trial lawyer didn’t exist for me as a journalist. When I returned to practicing law in North Carolina, I began channeling lessons learned from the incredible people I met during my time away.
Lessons Learned: How to Deal With Stress
Managing stress isn’t just about avoiding it; it’s about finding healthy ways to cope and fuel your ability to keep going. For me, that includes pushing my physical limits through triathlons, marathons, and ultramarathons – actively living my life. This physical perseverance mirrors and even fuels the mental toughness needed in demanding situations and makes me stronger.
It’s also about being prepared and informed. As both a journalist and an attorney, I discovered that learning the subject matter at hand calmed me and put me back in control. People struggling with legal issues often feel uninformed, and this can be highly stressful. It’s important to ask questions, and keep asking until you receive answers you understand, so that you can restore some measure of control back to your situation.
Another way to manage stress is by taking “controlled risks,” a lesson I learned from a well-known B.A.S.E. jumper (and lifelong friend) I interviewed for 60 Minutes. This daredevil faced many risks, but there were no risks he was not prepared for, or that he and his team had not planned for. You can scale down the anxiety of most situations by identifying and planning for potential risks and making them more manageable.
A mantra that helps me limit stress and stay healthy: Never stop learning and stay curious. Another? Anything is possible. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re guiding principles for navigating challenges.
In the midst of demanding situations, I’ve found immense strength and purpose in focusing on the “tiny moments” in life. These aren’t grand achievements, but simple interactions – conversations with my son about my work, remembering the quiet support of my father. Beyond helping ordinary people in extraordinary need, it’s the tiny moments that keep me going – those brief interactions which over time give our lives meaning and purpose.
For me, managing stress and prioritizing well-being isn’t just for personal benefit. By learning to manage the pressures of life, I am better equipped to stand up for what I believe in, overcome adversity, and fight for meaningful results for my clients. I hope some of these tips can help you live better through life’s challenges as well.
Text Us
You May Also Be Interested In
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants – An Interview With Coleman Cowan
Attorney At Law Magazine: Coleman Cowan: To Live. Not Exist.
The Thriving Lawyers Podcast: Coleman Cowan-Thriving In and Out of Law (and Back in Again!) (Pt. 1)
The Thriving Lawyers Podcast: Coleman Cowan-Thriving In and Out of Law-and Back In Again (Pt. 2)
