The power of gratitude in the legal profession

Stacy Parmer is the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program director at The Missouri Bar.

Gratitude is a brain-changer.

Science shows that gratitude isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s backed by research. When people practice gratitude, their brains release dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters responsible for emotions.¹ 

“This dopamine release enhances feelings of joy and contentment and encourages repeated expressions of gratitude, creating a positive feedback loop where the more gratitude we express, the more our brain seeks out situations and behaviors that elicit these rewarding feelings.”²

Regularly practicing gratitude can have lasting effects by creating a consistent appreciative outlook on life, which helps improve psychological conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression by turning one’s thoughts toward positive things. 

Shelly Dreyer, 2024-25 Missouri Bar president, recently wrote a Journal column describing imposter syndrome³ as a common struggle in the legal profession. Gratitude serves as a powerful antidote to imposter syndrome by helping lawyers foster a positive self-image and nurture resilience. By acknowledging the positives in life, you shift your focus from what’s wrong with your life to what’s right. 

For example, what if, in those moments of self-doubt, you shift your focus from “Am I a good enough lawyer?” to “How have I made a difference?” This shift in perspective is where embracing gratitude can be beneficial to silence your inner critic and boost self-confidence as a practitioner, allowing you to even better serve your clients and communities. No matter how difficult things may become, through gratitude, you can build a reserve that will protect against the stress, self-doubt, and mental health challenges associated with the pressures of practicing law. 

Gratitude can also cultivate deeper connections both professionally and personally. When you express gratitude towards others, you show that you recognize and value their contributions and support. This can help nurture positive working relationships by establishing respect, trust, and motivation between colleagues, clients, judges, and opposing counsel. 

The theme for this year’s Well-Being Week in Law, May 5-9, is “The Social Rx: Boosting Well-Being with Connection.” Connections can improve mental well-being but are often overlooked in the hectic pace of the legal profession. Remember to set aside time to foster these connections through gratitude. 

Begin changing your brain by regularly reflecting on and practicing gratitude. What are you grateful for in your legal career? Is it a mentor who believed in your skills? A recent win that reaffirmed your talents? Can you recall a time when expressing gratitude positively impacted your day? What was it like when a client or colleague expressed gratitude towards you? 

In this issue of the Journal, you will find a gratitude gram created by The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy you can use to share your appreciation and gratitude with a client, colleague, or opposing counsel.⁴ In expressing your gratitude towards others, you may find a renewed sense of purpose and motivation, leading to improved job performance and a more positive outlook on your work with clients and other lawyers. 

Remember, the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program is also here to help lawyers through many different mental health concerns. You can talk with a licensed counselor through MOLAP at no cost, and all services are strictly confidential. Call 1-800-688-7859 to connect with MOLAP.

By embracing the simple yet profound practice of gratitude, lawyers can foster not only a more fulfilling personal and professional life, but also a more resilient and compassionate legal community.

Endnotes 

1 Can Gratitude Improve Quality of Life?, PRINCETON HEALTH, www.princetonhcs. org/about-princeton-health/news-and-information/news/can-gratitude-increase-quality-of-life (Nov. 22, 2022). 

2 Mark Travers, A Psychologist Explains The Neuroscience Of Your ‘Gratitude Practice’, FORBES, www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2024/05/22/a-psychologist-explains-how-to-hack-your-brains-gratitude-circuit/ (May 22, 2024). 

3 Shelly Dreyer, President’s page: ‘I often felt like an imposter’ – understanding and overcoming self-doubt as lawyers, 81 J. BAR 5 (2025). 

4 The 2024-25 Leadership Academy class focusing on raising awareness and increasing participation in Well-Being Week in Law.