Virginia CLE 10/31 Deadline: Feeling the Pressure
Posted: September 14th, 2007
By: Zach Heller
Category: CLE Programming, Opinion Corner

Nobody likes deadlines. Deadlines mean you have to get something done. Deadlines mean you are in a hurry. Deadlines bring about stress.

Well, the Virginia continuing legal education (CLE) deadline is coming up on October 31st. And just like any deadline, people usually wait until the last minute to do anything. This causes a feeling of being overwhelmed; so much to do, so little time. If you are one of those lawyers who has yet to complete this year's requirements, here are 5 great ways to relieve the stress over the next two months.

1) TAKE SOME TIME OFF. I realize that we just got through the Labor Day weekend, but working hard day in and day out, takes its toll. And there is no way to do CLE while you are plugging away those hours in the office. So give yourself a break and take a long weekend to yourself. Spend some time with the kids. Then sit back, relax, and listen to a CLE course.

2) GET SOME EXERCISE. A good run or an hour at the gym is a great way to forget about everything else going on in your life. It gives you a chance to concentrate on one thing, and clear your mind of the stress that is holding you down. Once you sweat out the worries of holiday planning, client management, and putting your kids through school, you will be able to concentrate on the more important things. And you will feel good about yourself for doing it.

3) LISTEN TO MUSIC. And I don't mean something depressing or loud and obnoxious. Most of the time that kind of music does nothing but add stress. I suggest something relaxing, easy to listen to. For those of you looking for something like that, I recommend such bands as The Shins, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, etc. All you need is a guitar, a soft melody, and a soothing voice. Just let the music take over, and you will leave all thoughts of deadlines behind.

4) DO SOMETHING SPONTANEOUS. I don't care what it is, but if you change up your daily routine once in a while it will go a long way towards feeling better. If you feel run down by the pressures of work, life, and CLE requirements; just change the pace. Go for a long drive, take the family out for a night on the town, go out and have a drink after work. Whatever it is, take advantage of a few hours in your day and do something completely different and out of the ordinary. It makes the ordinary seem more bearable.

5) GET IT OVER WITH. The best way I know of to forget about the pressure of the CLE deadline is to get it done as quickly and easily as possible. Sure, the first four suggestions are great for clearing your mind, but eventually you have to get these credits over with. For quick and easy CLE, give your online options a try. Lawline.com offers a variety of courses that you can take right at your computer, from home or work, anytime. So if you are starting to feel the stress of the October 31st deadline, these courses will help.

So stop wasting your time complaining about CLE requirements and do something about it. After all, the Virginia CLE deadline is not going away.

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