Is it the job or the system?

This episode unpacks the six external causes of lawyer burnout—from impossible workloads and lack of control to toxic workplace dynamics and values conflicts. If you’ve ever wondered why “self-care” doesn’t work, or why setting boundaries feels pointless in your firm’s culture, this episode is for you.

We’ll break down how burnout isn’t just about your mindset or internal habits—it’s also about the structural realities of working in law. The legal profession is a pressure cooker, and even the most resilient, self-aware women lawyers can burn out under the constant demands, double standards, and emotional labor the system demands. Today, we’ll name what’s not your fault—and what you can do to start reclaiming your energy and agency.

You’ll learn:

• The six proven external drivers of burnout—and how they show up in the legal profession (based on Maslach’s research)

• Why even the best internal tools won’t help if the system keeps stacking the deck against you

• How lack of control, minimal recognition, and toxic cultures create chronic stress for women in law

• Small, meaningful ways to shift your experience—even if you can’t quit or overhaul your job right now

• How to stop blaming yourself for what’s broken—and start making choices from clarity, not guilt

If you’ve been trying to meditate your way out of a toxic workplace, this episode will validate what you’ve suspected all along: burnout isn’t just in your head. And no, it’s not because you’re not trying hard enough. It’s because the system wasn’t built with your well-being in mind.

Listen now to get clarity on how the external side of burnout is impacting you—and how you can start to take your power back, even if nothing around you changes (yet).

This is Part 2 of a two-part series on burnout causes. If you missed Part 1 on internal burnout, listen to Episode 5 before or after this one for the full picture:

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

Take the quiz:
How Burned Out Are You, Really? A Quiz For Women Lawyers
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/quiz
You’ll need to subscribe to get your results, but you can unsubscribe any time—no guilt, just real insight.

Want more support?
🔹 Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges: www.heathermillscoaching.com
🔹 Download the free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
🔹 Follow Heather on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:
06 Is it the Job or the System? The Real External Causes of Lawyer Burnout
www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/06-the-external-causes-of-lawyer-burnout

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

Is it you—or is it the job?

Discover the real internal causes of lawyer burnout, from perfectionism and self-criticism to the hidden mindset traps that keep women attorneys stuck. If you’re exhausted from trying to “fix” yourself while still feeling like you’re never enough, this episode is for you.

We’ll break down how burnout isn’t just about long hours or a heavy caseload—it’s about the relentless mental patterns and beliefs you’ve absorbed from years in law and a lifetime of being told you have to prove your worth. I’ll show you why your inner critic is so loud, how perfectionism and people-pleasing fuel exhaustion, and what you can actually do to start feeling better—without quitting your job or sacrificing your ambition.

You’ll learn:

• Why high-achieving women lawyers are especially vulnerable to burnout—even when they “do everything right”
• How internalized beliefs about productivity, self-worth, and success keep you stuck in the burnout cycle
• The role of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and self-criticism in draining your energy and confidence
• Practical, science-backed strategies to shift your mindset, turn down your stress response, and reclaim your sense of agency
• Why burnout is NOT your fault—and how to stop blaming yourself for feeling this way

If you’re tired of wondering if burnout is just “part of the job,” this episode unpacks why so many women lawyers blame themselves for exhaustion—and why the real culprit is often the relentless inner critic and impossible standards we’ve been taught to chase. Get ready to challenge the stories you’ve absorbed about what it takes to be “good enough” in law.

Listen now to start breaking free from the internal patterns that keep you stuck in burnout—and take the first step toward a legal career that actually feels good to live in, not just impressive on paper.

Take the quiz:

How Burned Out Are You, Really? A Quiz For Women Lawyers

https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/quiz

You’ll need to subscribe to get your results, but you can unsubscribe any time—no guilt, just real insight.

Want more support?

• Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.com
• Download my free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
• Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

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

05 Is It You or the Job? The Real Internal Causes of Lawyer Burnout

www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/05-the-internal-causes-of-lawyer-burnout

Related Podcast Episode:

03 How to Stop Feeling Responsible for Everyone and Everything https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/03-how-to-stop-feeling-responsible-for-everything-and-everyone

Ever wonder if you’re burned out—or if this is just what being a lawyer feels like?

Learn how to spot the red flags of lawyer burnout (not just stress), so you can finally stop second-guessing yourself and start reclaiming your energy, confidence, and career.

We’re cutting through the noise to answer the question every woman lawyer has asked herself: “Is this burnout, or is it just stress?” If you’re running on empty, snapping at your kids, or feeling like you’re living on autopilot, you’re in the right place.

We’ll break down the emotional, physical, and behavioral warning signs that most lawyers ignore—think brain fog, chronic exhaustion, resentment, and that creeping sense of apathy that makes even the work you used to enjoy feel meaningless.

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:

• The real difference between stress and burnout (hint: it’s not just about being tired)
• Why you don’t have to be falling apart to be deep in burnout
• The most common burnout red flags for lawyers: emotional exhaustion, cynicism, physical symptoms, and withdrawal from things you used to enjoy
• How burnout chips away at your confidence and makes you doubt your competence—even when you’re still getting the job done
• The secret symptom nobody talks about: fantasizing about escape, just to get a break from it all
• Why minimizing your suffering or “just pushing through” is lawyer brain B.S.—and how to challenge the belief that you have to earn your worth by suffering

We’ll also talk about why burnout isn’t a personal failing, and why women in law are especially vulnerable thanks to relentless expectations, perfectionism, and the pressure to prove yourself at all costs. You’ll walk away with a simple, honest way to check in with yourself, figure out where you are on the burnout spectrum, and what to do next—without gaslighting yourself or waiting for things to get worse.

If you’re ticking off more symptoms than you want to admit, this is your sign to stop minimizing your pain and start taking it seriously. Burnout is real, it’s recoverable, and you are not alone. You deserve more than just surviving—let’s talk about what thriving can look like, even in this profession.

Ready to break the burnout cycle? Hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. If you know another lawyer who’s quietly struggling, forward this episode to her. The more we talk about burnout, the more we can change the culture—one honest conversation at a time.

Take the quiz:

How Burned Out Are You, Really? A Quiz For Women Lawyers
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/quiz
You’ll need to subscribe to get your results, but you can unsubscribe any time—no guilt, just real insight.

Want more support?

• Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.com
• Download my free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
• Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

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

04 Burnout Red Flags: Brain Fog, Exhaustion & Snapping at Your Kids: How to Know If This is Lawyer Burnout or Just Stress

https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/04-lawyer-burnout-or-just-stress