How to Build Confidence as an Attorney

Is that critical inner voice sabotaging your confidence? Here's your 3-step battle plan to silence it for good. Recently I witnessed a remarkable transformation at UC Berkeley School of Information. Graduate students who entered my public speaking workshop trembling with anxiety left confidently presenting their ideas. No magic involved. Just structured approaches, peer support, and breaking down intimidating challenges into manageable steps. Self-doubt can turn ordinary tasks into overwhelming obstacles. After a journey conquering my own inner critic (and helping clients do the same), I've identified 3 game-changing techniques to build up self-trust: 1) Recognize Your Inner Parts (Internal Family Systems) Your mind isn't one unified voice—it's a committee of different parts! That harsh critic? Just one member trying to protect you in its misguided way. When self-doubt strikes, pause and ask: "Which part is speaking right now?" Is it your perfectionist afraid of failure? Your overachiever terrified of looking incompetent? Don't fight these parts—acknowledge them: "I see you're trying to protect me, but right now I need to trust my capabilities. I've prepared for this." 2) Reframe Imposter Syndrome as Growth Energy Did you know up to 82% of professionals experience imposter syndrome? It's especially prevalent in tech where we're constantly navigating uncharted territory. But what if that uncomfortable feeling isn't a problem to solve? Try this perspective shift: - That discomfort signals you're stretching into new growth territory - Channel the nervous energy into preparation, not paralysis - View each learning curve as evidence of growth, not failure 3) Apply the "Let Them" Theory Mel Robbins' approach is brilliantly simple: Let people think what they want. Let them react however they choose. Let them misunderstand you. You can't control others' perceptions, but you absolutely control how you show up. Ask yourself: "What weather am I bringing today?" Replace every spiral that begins with "What if they think I'm not good enough?" with "Let me": - Let me trust I'm contributing my best - Let me decide I'm enough, regardless of external validation - Let me focus exclusively on what I can control You don't need permission to lead or perfection to add value. Everything you need is already within you - you just need to trust yourself to use it. Next time self-doubt creeps in, identify which inner voice is speaking, recognize that discomfort signals growth, and focus on what you control rather than others' opinions. What technique will you try first? Share in the comments! #SelfConfidence #LeadershipDevelopment #ImpostorSyndrome

Being an associate at a big law firm is hard. -You feel like you have to be perfect. -You get scared to let your guard down. -You strive not to let them see the tears, the struggle, the sweat. That makes for a stressful existence, and it can really take a toll. Over time, I developed a practice of keeping 3 folders in my office that really helped me feel less daunted and more in control. I thought you might try to do the same: 1️⃣ An “Evidence” Folder This is where you put all the positive feedback you ever received. It can be a draft that a partner wrote “Terrific” on top, a note to self that a client nodded and smiled when seeing your case writeup, and notes or any and every little positive thing that’s happened to you at the firm. This folder comes in really handy when you feel overwhelmed or like you’re not sure you’re good enough. Review this folder often to remember your past accomplishments and prop up your confidence to brave future challenges. 2️⃣ An “I have learned” folder. In this folder go all the new things you’ve worked on— topics you’ve researched, checklists you’ve created, motions you’ve drafted, contracts or deposition outlines you’ve prepared, presentations you’ve given, etc. In addition to helping you feel accomplished, the items in this folder will be an excellent source of models for you going forward. This folder will be thin when you start, but you’ll be amazed to see how it grows over time. Having this type of folder is a gamechanger when the time comes to write your year-end self-evaluation. It will also make it infinitely easier when the time comes to update your resume! 3️⃣ An “I need to learn” folder. In here, put all the cases, interesting articles, and other materials on topics you want to read about. These items will keep you moving forward when times are slow and you’re twiddling your thumbs worrying about hours. Instead of worrying, why not learn everything about a useful topic, write an article about it, and pitch it to a partner for publication? By collecting things little-by-little over time, you can really amass quite a learning library for yourself. ⬇️ Might you try some of my folders out? Let me know if you do! 💌 Amanda 🗳️ What have you started doing at work that’s helped you feel more in control at your firm? —Have another type of folder you keep? —Something else you do? Any and all ideas, no matter how silly, can be helpful for new associates who are coming up with their own systems for success! #JRLitigators

One of the most common barriers I observe among professionals seeking advancement is the misconception that confidence must precede capability demonstration, when in reality, the relationship operates in reverse.   Sustainable professional confidence emerges through systematic competence building rather than emotional preparation.   The Progressive Competence Framework: • Incremental Challenge Acceptance: Taking on responsibilities slightly beyond current comfort zones to build capability evidence gradually • Documentation and Reflection: Systematically recording successes, failures, and lessons learned to create tangible proof of growth and adaptation • Safe Practice Environments: Developing new skills through low-risk opportunities before applying them in high-stakes situations • Feedback Integration: Actively seeking input from mentors, colleagues, and supervisors to accelerate learning curves and avoid prolonged trial-and-error   This approach recognizes that imposter syndrome and career anxiety typically stem from insufficient evidence of capability rather than inherent inadequacy.   Each successful navigation of a new challenge builds neurological pathways that support future confidence in similar situations.   The professionals who advance most smoothly don't eliminate doubt - they develop systems for building competence despite doubt, understanding that confidence emerges as a natural byproduct of demonstrated capability.   For those experiencing self-doubt during career transitions, the solution lies in designing deliberate competence-building experiences rather than waiting for confidence to appear spontaneously.   What strategies have you found most effective for building competence in new professional areas?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #competencedevelopment #careerconfidence #professionalgrowth #careerstrategist