Example CLE presentation of research-backed approach of lawyer happiness increasing strategies related to legal professionals' well-being offered by Dan DeFoe JD MS * Adlitem Solutions | Psycholawlogy blog [25+ year litigation/trial experience lawyer with MS organizational development psychology]

1. What Makes Lawyers Happy:
The How,What,When,and
Why of Happiness Increasing Strategies
****Your Organization / Conference ****
Dan DeFoe JD MS
Dan DeFoe Law | Adlitem Solutions * Psycholawlogy Blog
dan@dandefoelaw.com | dan@adlitemsolutions.com
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2. Agenda for Program -Today We Will Learn....
● Introduction & Background
● The “What” of Lawyer Happiness
● The “How, When, and Why” of Lawyer Happiness
● Performance & Professionalism and Lawyer Happiness
● Keys to Improving Your Happiness
● Thank You & Feedback
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3. The“What”of Lawyer Happiness -KeyTheories
Happiness = Subjective Well Being
Sum of Positive Emotion + Life Satisfaction
after subtracting Negative Emotion [reflects
your experience of moods, emotions, and
thinking]
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4. The“What”of Lawyer Happiness -KeyTheories
Self-Determination Theory: Psychological
Needs
● Autonomy-Authenticity
● Relatedness-Connections
● Competency-Effectiveness
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5. The“What”of Lawyer Happiness -KeyTheories
Self-Determination Theory: Values, Goals,
and Motivation:
● Intrinsic-Internal
● Extrinsic-External
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6. The“What”of Lawyer Happiness -Key Studies
● Krieger & Sheldon 2004, 2007 (law student studies)
● Sheldon & Krieger 2014 Jrnl Positive Psych (“service”
lawyers & “money” lawyers)
● Sheldon & Krieger 2014 Motiv Emot (“walk” vs “talk”
values)
● Krieger & Sheldon 2015 Geo. Wash. Law Rev (lawyers
like “ordinary” people; “practical guidance” for law
teachers & students, lawyers, employers)
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8. Primary Findings/Comments -Krieger/Sheldon 2015
● A. What Makes Lawyers Happy - 5 Tiers
● B. Lawyers Are Not Different, i.e. “Ordinary” People
● C. Improved Well-Being > Improved Productivity &
Professionalism
● D. “American Dream” - Flaws re. $, Prestige, Status
● E. “Fix” - Function of Individual Choices & Resources
● F. Autonomy Support in Law School and Employers
● G. “Immediate Attention” from Law Teachers,
Employers, Bar Leaders
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9. The“How”of Happiness -Thought + Effort
Lyubomirsky,S.(2008).The how of happiness: A scientific
approach to getting the life you want.New York: Penguin Press.
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10. The“How”of Happiness -Thought + Effort
The How, What, When, and Why of [Lawyer] Happiness
Increasing Strategies: Initial Understanding From the
“Positive-Activity Model”
Lyubomirsky, S., & Layous, K. (2013). How Do Simple Positive Activities
Increase Well-Being? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22 (1), 57-62
DOI: 10.1177/0963721412469809.
(See Psycholawlogy Blog Post Handout)
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11. The“How”of Happiness -Thought + Effort
You Can Find a Happiness Enhancing Activity:
Take Person-Activity Fit Diagnostic:
https://pathtohappier.com/
12 Happiness Activities Summary (See Handout)
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12. Suggested Keys to Improving Your Happiness....
● Commitments to Improve Key Relationships - Self
(personal & work), Others & Community (relate & help)
& Work (meaning & enjoyment)
● Self: Do more of what you enjoy, love, or care about
● Others: Get closer to important others; Help & Service
● Work: Do what matters and what you enjoy
● Autonomy Support - Promotes All Needs & Outcomes
- What LEADERS/BOSSES Do / Don’t Do Matters . . . .
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