Time Management During the Plague

old fashioned alarm clock with bells

In NYC, we’re starting week 6 of sheltering in place, and it certainly is a challenge. Perhaps you live alone and have nothing but yourself to work with unless you are doing a call. Perhaps you live-so-not-alone-and-there-are-young-people-underfoot-and-when-does-school-start-again-please. Perhaps you are with your spouse. All of the time. And these new worksite arrangements really put a dent … Read more

Zoom Fatigue Syndrome

woman pressing finders to bridge of nose looking stressed with phone and glasses on table

Hello everyone!  Here we are in week 3 of the COVID-19 Tango here in NYC, and I suspect it’s not getting any easier for you. If you haven’t caught coronavirus, you may be suffering from Zoom-Or-Fill-In-The-Online-Platform-Of-Your-Choice Fatigue Syndrome. Is this a thing? I think it is. We’ve finally tired of our screens! Can you believe it? … Read more

Lawyering and PhDing in the Age of COVID-19

image of DNA

You’re damned right you’re getting nothing done. These are absolutely crazy times.  🥴  You’re distracted. 🥴  Your routines are seriously disrupted. 🥴  You may be completely alone. 🥴  You may be spending far too much time with the family you’ve created. And there are so many other components to this. My recommendation? I know you’re hard charging. … Read more

Political Ups and Downs

marble pillars

Many of you know that part of what I try to create here at Michelle Dionne Thompson Coaching and Consulting is a space for people to create the communities and society we want to see. This is no easy task. And it’s really hard when you’re up to your eyeballs with emails, requests from colleagues, requests from … Read more

Does LinkedIn Make Your Eyes Glaze Over?

Linkedin logo

No, I’m not looking for a job. But I remember when there was a time where I easily used LinkedIn. I would post consistently. I would write articles . . . some of them even got some views! I have posted work that I published at other publications, including my dissertation. And then I stopped. … Read more

Categories Law

Food and Sleep and Food and Sleep

child sleeping on pillow

You know that I am hell-bent on getting lawyers and academics in the best shape they can be. We have the knowledge and skill set necessary to remove the bonds of oppression so people can live their lives fully. That’s why, no matter what my clients want from me, I always ask them about their self-care and … Read more

Lessons Learned From my Cruise

blue ocean off shore with seagulls in foreground

Last week, I took a desperately needed vacation. One week, one cruise, seven days, no wifi. Bliss. While I blithely go through my life as if everything is super easy, this year I have done a voice recital, moved apartments, ran my business, taught, written (still writing), and am still working to get our apartment … Read more

I Left Law to Become a Mother

shelves of law books

Many of you know me as an academic (and possibly not all that well). But before I earned a PhD, I was a lawyer. Actually, I wanted to be a lawyer since I was twelve. I had a dream that I would live in Greenwich Village in NYC and practice BIG LAW and sing opera. … Read more

Actions Follow Beliefs Follow Actions

a drop of water falling into a pool creating concentric circles

This past weekend, I sang at two Confirmation services. As is custom at many of these gatherings, the Bishop was present and delivered the homily. After confirmation, many Catholics become Easter/Christmas Catholics and you don’t see them anymore. The Bishop saw his charge to avoid this problem. He then said your beliefs determine your actions … Read more

Ask Michelle

Michelle smiling wearing glasses and scarf

M wrote back with an important follow-up set of questions for what to do with a PhD (and JD). He writes “Since finding jobs in higher education is becoming more scarce, what careers can I pursue with a PhD, or at least a master’s degree? Some of the disciplines I’m considering going to grad school include, … Read more