Vikki Pratley
Chronicle Law would like to thank Vikki Pratley for showcasing her article with us originally from her Mindfully Legal newsletter on Linked In. Vikki Pratley is the non-practising solicitor behind ‘The StressLess Coach’ .
A Lesson from Marrakesh: The Hidden Parallels Between the Market and the Legal World
Marrakesh is a city of contrast.
The chaos of the souks, the calm of the riads. The intensity of the heat, the cool shade of the courtyards. The rush of the streets, the stillness of the desert beyond them.
It’s a reminder that balance isn’t about eliminating extremes it’s about learning to move between them without getting lost.
Stress works the same way.
The goal isn’t to get rid of stress. That’s impossible. And honestly? You wouldn’t want to. Stress, in the right amount, pushes us to grow. It sharpens us, makes us better. But too much? That’s when it drains us, leaving us overwhelmed and on edge.
And nothing has embodied that more for me today than walking through the Marrakesh markets.
The scent of spices thick in the air, stall owners calling out, colours so vivid they almost hum. And, of course, the bartering—an art form in itself. I love the back-and-forth, the game of it, the thrill when you land on a price that feels like a win for both sides.
But do you know what I don’t love? Nearly getting run over every two minutes.
Because no one tells you this, but Marrakesh isn’t just a feast for the senses, it’s also a high-stakes game of dodging.
Motorbikes weave through the tiniest alleyways at breakneck speed, appearing from nowhere.
At one point, as I was stepping aside to dodge a motorbike coming straight towards me, I realised another was suddenly behind me and before I could move, I felt its handlebar digging into my behind.
And that? That’s exactly what stress feels like when it’s unmanaged.
It’s not that the market (or life) is the problem. The bartering, the adventure, the excitement, it’s all part of the experience. Just like in our work, stress isn’t inherently bad. It sharpens us, pushes us, helps us perform.
But when we don’t have the awareness to dodge the things that drain us or the tools to step out of the way before we’re overwhelmed? That’s when it takes over.
How to Stop Stress From Undermining Performance in Law
Most people don’t realise stress is creeping up on them until it’s already knocked them down. But the key to managing stress isn’t waiting until you feel completely overwhelmed it’s recognising the early signs and taking action before they spiral.
Try this simple 4-minute exercise to get ahead of stress before it takes over:
⏳ Step 1 (2 minutes): Jot down situations that trigger stress for you. Be specific, whether it’s a demanding client, a looming deadline, or an overflowing inbox.
🧠 Step 2 (2 minutes): Write down how stress shows up for you physically, mentally, and in your behaviour. Maybe it’s tension in your shoulders, snapping at colleagues, or procrastinating on important tasks.
Why Legal Professionals Should Take This Seriously
Once you understand your personal “stress signature,” you can spot the warning signs early before stress takes control. And when you know what’s happening, you can take the right steps to reset, rather than just pushing through.
Investing in Resilience: Resources for Legal Teams
This is exactly the kind of work we do inside the StressLess Academy – teaching you practical strategies to manage stress for higher, sustainable performance.
We focus on practical tools to help you:
- Spot stress triggers before they spiral
- Recognise the subtle warning signs of burnout
- Manage stress for higher, sustainable performance
Because stress shouldn’t be something you survive, it should be something you know how to use.
Contact me now if stress feels like it’s chasing you down right now or you’re noticing individuals in your team who could better manage their stress.