How to Avoid Career Burnout with Micro Habits with Charlene Gisele

Charlene Gisele teaches high-achieving lawyers and executives how to improve their careers by focusing on their mental health. This vulnerable episode allows Charlene to discuss her motivations to become a lawyer and why she left Big Law.

Charlène Gisèle believes that if you don't start your day with a bit of self-care, then you probably won't do it. After experiencing burnout, Charlène decided to become a burnout prevention expert and help others avoid burnout.

How to Avoid Career Burnout with Micro Habits with Charlene Gisele

<iframe width="100%" height="180" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/7df726be"></iframe>

How to Avoid Career Burnout with Micro Habits with Charlene GiseleHow to Avoid Career Burnout with Micro Habits with Charlene Gisele

About This Episode

What was the highlight of my day? What did I do really well? What could I do more of? How could I be even better? What decisions did I make? How could that impact me mentally?


Charlène Gisèle asks herself these questions every day and believes that if you don't start your day with a bit of self-care, then you probably won't do it. After experiencing burnout, Charlène decided to become a burnout prevention expert and help others avoid burnout.


As a child, Charlène Gisèle knew that she wanted to be a lawyer. She watched her father work as a high-achieving lawyer and Charlène wanted the same career for herself.


But after her father had a heart attack and stroke, Charlène reconsidered her priorities. Although Charlène experienced anxiety, insomnia, and a deteriorated marriage, it wasn’t until she saw her father suffer, that Charlène truly understand burnout.


Charlène explains that suffering with mental health issues is unlike any other illness because no one can see your pain. “You do not walk around with a bandage or cast on your head,” in the way you would have a cast on your leg or arm when you are injured. But Charlène is adamant that burnout must be treated as seriously as any other illness.


It was with great difficulty that Charlène decided to leave her Big Law office. Charlène spent so much time studying at Cambridge University (United Kingdom) and learning the law, but it was time for Charlène to learn about work-life balance.


Charlène Gisèle created a consulting company, Charlène Gisèle, where she and two associates, coach lawyers and C-suite executives to remain high-achieving professionals.


Two or three minutes of breathwork or reflection after a big meeting will really help high-achieving lawyers and executives avoid burnout. In fact, creating these micro habits are better than taking a 3-week holiday. Creating consistent self-care micro habits allows you to learn habits that will serve you for the rest of your life in addition to helping you avoid burnout.


Charlène is able to help high-achievers change their mindsets about self-care because she negotiates with them and explains that your well-being affects your performance. “When you must bridge the gap between how you react to things and how you feel, your micro habits will impact you,” says Charlène Gisèle.


Charlène Gisèle serves clients in Asia, America, and Europe and has fluctuating schedules that allow her to get adequate rest while meeting clients in these varying time zones.

Charlène credits law school with teaching her persistence and resistance, two traits that Charlène continues to use every day even though she has left Big Law.


Join the Bounce Back from Burnout Masterclass with Charlène Gisele:

https://joinnow.live/s/RjYWK5?_ga=2.99992984.782084531.1669768903-781012046.1669768903


Can you keep practicing law without burnout and anxiety? Charlène Gisèle discusses self-care in high achievers on Episode 66 of the You Are A Lawyer Podcast.

Listen to learn:


  • How to serve clients in multiple time zones without overworking yourself
  • The importance of leaning into your inner cheerleader
  • How resilience and precision allowed Charlène to create her business


We also discuss:


  • How to define a Big Law firm  
  • Best career choices if you have a JD and want to avoid burnout
  • Why self-awareness work impacts your performance


Episode Timestamps
00:45 What’s the difference between a barrister and a litigator or solicitor in the UK?
01:45 Are American Big Law firms the same as Big Law firms in the UK?
02:21 Silver Circle and Magic Circle Description
02:42 Did you encounter high stress, high demands, and long hours in Big Law?
03:37 How young were you when you decided to attend law school? What’s your background?
04:56 did watching your dad become stressed out as a lawyer inspire you to help other lawyers avoid this path?
07:59 Is your dad doing better since his health concerns?
08:45 You can also listen to this podcast at youarealawyer.com
09:09 What’s a typical day for a performance coach?
12:50 What is powering down? How can you Power Down and stop negative backtalk?
14:09 How to progress professionally and personally?
14:30 Did you learn all of this in your training?
16:05 How difficult is it for lawyers to admit they’re performing poorly?
16:17 How did you decide to leave Big Law?
19:47 Do annual vacations enough to improve my mental health?
22:12 What did you learn in law school that makes you a better lawyer?
25:24 Are you French and living in the UK?

Charlène Gisèle practiced law in the United Kingdom. Learn more about Charlène Gisèle:  


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlenegisele/


Website: www.charlenegisele.com


*


You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/


Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer


Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com


As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Review my favorite books for lawyers here: https://amzn.to/3OTfrrZ

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THESE EPISODES:

Rho Thomas -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/rho-thomas-money-coach-and-lawyer

Sharon Christie - https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/sharon-christie-bold-women-lawyers-founder-and-lawyer

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com

2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen

4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yTiFLIIdoRg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recent Episodes

How Energy Affects Your Work Performance as a Lawyer featuring Emily Hirsekorn

Emily Hirsekorn explains how coaching takes you from functional to optimal and the importance of shifting workplace relationships to have your best career. 
Read and listen here

How To Leverage Legal Skills in Marketing feat. Alban Brooke

Alban Brooke, former attorney and technology specialist who is currently the head of marketing for a podcasting company called Buzzsprout, delves into the journey of transitioning from a career in law to content creation in this episode. From discussing the impact of perfectionism from the legal field to the challenges faced in law school, Alban shares insights on how his background in law has influenced his approach to marketing and content creation. Tune in to discover how Alban's experiences in law have shaped his current endeavors in the world of content creation.
Read and listen here

Why Pre-Law Students Need Mentors (and Practicing Lawyers Too!) featuring Anjie Vichayanonda

Anjie Vichayanonda explains her experiences as a first generation law student and the importance of leveraging your professional network to benefit pre-law students. 
Read and listen here

How To Transition from Law School to Legal Career Success feat. Josue Jimenez

In this episode, Josue Jimenez, a law school administrator and attorney, takes us through his career trajectory, from working as a legal assistant in Michigan, to becoming the Assistant Director of Admissions at Campbell University School of Law. Josue reflects on his passion for helping prospective law students explore the path forward, and for working with first-generation students who might not have those options available at home. He also discusses his commitment to a community oriented law career, the impact it’s had on his journey, and the momentum he’s building with various initiatives he’s advising that will help be a sure-fire success for future law grads.
Read and listen here

How To Build a Creative Career Brick by Brick feat. Nathan Sawaya

Nathan Sawaya is a world-renowned brick artist who left his career as a corporate lawyer to follow his childhood passion—creating art out of LEGO bricks. In this episode, Nathan shares how law school gave him the critical thinking and risk-assessment skills to launch a creative business, why he let his law license expire, and what it really takes to bet on yourself. His story is a powerful reminder that you can build your dream life, one brick—and one bold decision—at a time.
Read and listen here

How Big Law is Failing New Parents (And Why It Matters) featuring Lori Mihalich-Levin

Lori Mihalich-Levin explains why she believes parents make the best employees and the importance of having a mindful return to work after parental leave.
Read and listen here

The Advantages of Being a Lawyer with a Nursing Degree feat. Irnise Williams

Trauma Nurse. Lawyer. Business owner. Irnise Williams is passionate about healthcare policy and law. Irnise explains why she attended law school as a successful registered nurse.
Read and listen here

Virtual Legal Internships are Changing Everything featuring Reza Yassi

Reza Yassi explains why he created Attornneed and the importance of experiencing the practice of law while in school.
Read and listen here

How to Turn Your Legal Expertise Into Multiple Revenue Streams feat. Susan Guthrie

Susan Guthrie spent decades as a successful family law attorney, but when life pushed her to relocate and reimagine her career, she embraced innovation instead of starting over. Now, she’s a nationally recognized mediation expert, online business owner, and podcast host, helping legal professionals expand their skills beyond traditional practice. In this episode, Susan shares how she transitioned from courtroom litigation to a thriving mediation business, the importance of leveraging technology in law, and why attorneys should think bigger when it comes to using their expertise.
Read and listen here

The Power of Lawyer Referrals and Justis Connection featuring Kisha Brown

Lawyers know other lawyers. Kisha Brown created Justis Connection as a database of Black lawyers to connect legal specialists with clients.
Read and listen here

How To Succeed as a Clothing Designer and Lawyer featuring Robert Uy

In this episode, Robert Uy, a Santa Clara University School of Law graduate, explains why taking an Asian American college course changed the trajectory of his life and led him to becoming a designer.
Read and listen here

Prosecutors Are Misunderstood. Why Justice is my Client featuring Brianna Herman

Brianna Herman explains why you need to find your spark in life and the importance of mentoring law students.
Read and listen here

©2025 You Are A Lawyer LLC.
All rights reserved.