There’s one conversation you’re avoiding.

You know exactly which one.

I can usually tell how a barrister's and a lawyer’s year will go by how long they leave it.

Not the conversations they think about.
The ones they don’t have.

You’re back at work.
Or about to be soon.

And there’s something you haven’t dealt with.

A boundary that keeps getting ignored.
An assumption about your availability.
Behaviour that wouldn’t be acceptable if it were put on the record.

You noticed it.
You let it pass.

Because you’re busy.
Because pushing back takes effort, and it's uncomfortable.
Because you don't feel senior enough.
Because it feels easier to remain silent.
So nothing is said.

And once it's not spoken about, it sets a precedent.

And the cost is high.
You think about it outside work.
You replay whats going on.
You’re less patient than usual.
Everything takes more energy than it should.

By the time you raise it, it’s no longer simple.

You’re not just dealing with the issue.
You’re dealing with everything that’s built up since.
Resentment, anger, irritation, annoyance.

That’s one reason why it escalates.

Because you didn’t approach and initiate it when it first arose.

This is where courage shows up in practice.

High-performing barristers and lawyers are leaders who deal with things early, not because it’s comfortable, but because they know delay and avoidance always costs more.

Stop accepting what’s unacceptable to you before it becomes normalised.

January is when it’s simple to deal with.
February is when you start questioning whether it’s even worth raising.
By June, it’s accepted. That’s "how things are done". 
It's not the year you're leading or chosen.

Silence doesn’t make issues go away.
It becomes what you're willing to accept, this week, month and year.

👉🏻Don’t Let Week One Back at Work Decide Your Whole Year.
Download HERE.