{"id":145227,"date":"2026-03-02T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/03\/02\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change-as-a-lawyer\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T19:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T03:00:00","slug":"shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change-as-a-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/03\/02\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change-as-a-lawyer\/","title":{"rendered":"Shift Happens: 5 Ways to Handle Change as a Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Jamie Spannhake says change often feels like a problem to solve, or an obstacle to overcome. But the real obstacle is our belief that things will remain the same. Here are five ways to handle change gracefully and with less stress.<br \/>\nThe post Shift Happens: 5 Ways to Handle Change as a Lawyer appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Change often feels like a problem to solve or an obstacle to overcome. But the real obstacle is the belief that things will remain the same. They won\u2019t. They don\u2019t. <\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Shift-Happens-5-Ways-to-Handle-Change.jpg?w=1080&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"lawyer handling change standing under a kettle bell\" class=\"wp-image-99988562\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\">\n<h2>Table of contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change\/#h-sometimes-it-s-a-good-shift\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sometimes It\u2019s a Good Shift<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change\/#h-1-expect-it\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">1. Expect it.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change\/#h-2-recognize-it\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2. Recognize it.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change\/#h-3-embrace-it\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">3. Embrace it.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change\/#h-4-welcome-it\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4. Welcome it.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/shift-happens-5-ways-to-handle-change\/#h-5-learn-from-it\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">5. Learn from it.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group cust-audio-set\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"exemag-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/493470ac\">[embedded content]<\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sometimes-it-s-a-good-shift\">Sometimes It\u2019s a Good Shift<\/h2>\n<p>Shift happens. Here are five ways to handle change gracefully and with less stress.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-expect-it\">1. <strong>Expect it.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Nothing stays the same. Everything in life is a phase. This can be great to hear when we\u2019re going through uncomfortable phases \u2014those times when \u201cthis too shall pass\u201d is a comfort. But when things are going great? Knowing things will inevitably change can be stressful. In part because we fear we won\u2019t be able to handle the change, and in part because we like the way things are. <\/p>\n<p>But here\u2019s the truth: Whether you try to stop change or create change, change will happen. Sometimes it will be a shift for the better, and sometimes it will be that four-letter word that is similar to \u201cshift.\u201d No matter the change, you <em>will <\/em>handle it. You have a lifetime of evidence that proves it. <\/p>\n<p>The key is to expect change without attaching stress to it. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-recognize-it\">2. Recognize it.<\/h3>\n<p>Given the speed of change today, and the chaos and disruption it brings, we can forgive ourselves for not immediately welcoming change, even small ones, with open arms. But there\u2019s healthy scepticism, and there\u2019s stubborn resistance.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to recognize that your negative reaction to certain situations may be simply a negative reaction to the mere fact that things are changing. It may not be that the change is bad. It may only be that you are holding on to the way things were. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-embrace-it\">3. Embrace it.<\/h3>\n<p>Once you recognize you might be reacting to the fact of change, not the substance of the change, you can work on adapting to \u2014 even embracing \u2014 the new situation. Look at the facts of the change. Will they make things better in the long run, even though it will mean you must work through the change itself? If so, get to work on the change with that end in mind. <\/p>\n<p>If the change will be substantively negative \u2014 the loss of a client, a change in leadership, a merger, a personal loss \u2014 you still must accept it. Focus on working with the change, not against it. <\/p>\n<p>Of course, you can try to stop the change \u2014 that is sometimes possible. But some changes are inevitable, no matter what you do. <\/p>\n<p>When presented with an inevitable change that will have a substantively negative result, be pragmatic. Apply your creativity and resourcefulness and start working on ways to make things as good as they can be. For example, if your client is filing for bankruptcy and you will lose them as a source of revenue, you can start working on ways to assist in that proceeding, and you can ramp up business development efforts. <\/p>\n<p>If the changes you see around you are ethically and morally unacceptable to you, doing something positive \u2014 volunteering, pro bono work, fundraising \u2014 can be the best way to reduce stress and channel your energy. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-welcome-it\">4. Welcome it.<\/h3>\n<p>This one can be really hard. It is for me. I can expect change and embrace it, and move forward from there, but I still do so with a sigh of regret. I don\u2019t want change to come along and \u201cmess things up,\u201d especially when they are going well. But a failure to welcome change ultimately causes stress, which makes the change itself, as well as the handling and resolution of it, much more difficult. <\/p>\n<p>Reframe your thoughts about change to view it as an opportunity \u2014 an opportunity to problem-solve, an opportunity to be creative, an opportunity to help someone, an opportunity to grow.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-learn-from-it\">5. Learn from it.<\/h3>\n<p>When you view change as an opportunity to grow, you can learn from it. As time goes on, you will become a master at handling and accepting change.<\/p>\n<p>Related: <\/p>\n<p><small><small>Illustration \u00a9iStockPhoto.com<\/small><\/small><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center has-background\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.attorneyatwork.com\/product\/the-lawyer-the-lion-and-the-laundry-three-hours-to-finding-your-calm-in-the-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/The-Lawyer-the-Lion-and-the-Laundry.jpg?resize=600%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The Lawyer, the Lion, and the Laundry Book Cover\" class=\"wp-image-99987941 size-full\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color\" id=\"h-three-hours-to-finding-your-calm-in-the-chaos\">Three Hours to Finding Your Calm in the Chaos <\/h2>\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-a73cf62d5b6fe076122686970c103116\">BESTSELLER! THE LAWYER, THE LION &amp; THE LAUNDRY<\/p>\n<p>Join lawyer and certified health coach Jamie Jackson Spannhake in an enlightening journey. Read her bestselling book and learn how to \u201cchoose, act and think\u201d in ways that will clarify your desires and set priorities so you can reclaim your time and enjoy your life. Includes exercises.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-497c4cc1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.attorneyatwork.com\/product\/the-lawyer-the-lion-and-the-laundry-three-hours-to-finding-your-calm-in-the-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>ORDER YOUR COPY N<\/strong>OW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/law-practice-book\/the-lawyer-the-lion-and-the-laundry-three-hours-to-finding-your-calm-in-the-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-99987941 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/The-Lawyer-the-Lion-and-the-Laundry-238x238.jpg?resize=238%2C238&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The Lawyer, the Lion, and the Laundry Book Cover\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" title=\"\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/law-practice-book\/the-lawyer-the-lion-and-the-laundry-three-hours-to-finding-your-calm-in-the-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Get More Done, Without the Chaos<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>In her new book <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/law-practice-book\/the-lawyer-the-lion-and-the-laundry-three-hours-to-finding-your-calm-in-the-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">\u201cThe Lawyer, the Lion, and the Laundry: Three Hours to Finding Your Calm in the Chaos,\u201d<\/a> lawyer and certified health coach Jamie Spannhake shares a better way to enjoy the life you truly want. Join her for a fun and enlightening journey to learn how to CHOOSE, ACT and THINK in ways that will clarify your desires so you can reclaim your time and enjoy your life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Now available in the Attorney at Work <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/law-practice-book\/the-lawyer-the-lion-and-the-laundry-three-hours-to-finding-your-calm-in-the-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">bookstore, here<\/a> \u2014 order by November 1 to get the book at a\u00a0special launch price.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jamie Spannhake says change often feels like a problem to solve, or an obstacle to overcome. But the real obstacle is our belief that things will remain the same. Here are five ways to handle change gracefully and with less stress. The post Shift Happens: 5 Ways to Handle Change as a Lawyer appeared first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-145227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal_matters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=145227"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145227\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=145227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=145227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}