Recently, I realized something. That little voice that used to tell me that I wasn’t good enough or that I didn’t belong here and told me I wasn’t a good writer or a good lawyer wasn’t shouting from the back of my skull like it used to in the beginning. It used to take me a long time to just get out my head to write a simple memo or an email to a client. I would think too hard about how to structure it. I would doubt my ability to get my point across. I would beat myself up mentally for not being able to just start writing. Recently, I noticed this voice doesn’t show up as much as it used to and that it has slowly faded away. And there was no magic formula. It was just a result of confidence building over time.
You may have written a memo that could have been more succinct. You may have done oral argument that could have been clearer. We always have room for improvement. But we’re always learning. We’re always improving. And next thing you know, 4 or 5 years have gone by and a task that you used to struggle with is second nature.
If you have self doubt, the inner critic will always be there. But, over time, it will fade from a screaming critic to a faint whisper.
Keep going. Keep writing, keep researching, keep “lawyering.” One day you’ll look up and realize that the inner voice that once doubted you now respects, encourages and empowers you.
