Are you just starting to make a name for yourself in the legal world? Or have you been at this a while and wondering how long it will take for you to feel 100% at ease when you stroll into a courtroom? Can you crush those feelings of anxiety with pure, rock-solid confidence? After all, being an attorney in the fast-paced legal world requires a high level of self-confidence. Read on to learn more about how you can build rock-solid confidence to boost your feats in and out of the courtroom.
Dress for success. The very first step in building your confidence is one of the first tasks you're faced with each morning: choosing what to wear. What we wear can have great influence over how we feel. It is also one of the first things people notice about you. In order to make the best first impression possible, you should take time to build a wardrobe that leaves you feeling good about yourself.
Choose well-fitting, professional clothing that is not too flashy or distracting since you are trying to be taken seriously. Opt for professionalism over personality. If you're wondering what color suit or dress to choose, black is always a safe bet: it represents power, authority, and who doesn't look good in black?
Arrive early. A lot of our anxiety stems from the unknown, and who needs the added stress of running late for an appointment? Make it your goal to arrive early whenever possible. This gives you time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and get your things in order. Once you're settled in and prepared, you might find some of that anxiety easing, and confidence taking its place. Remember, the more prepared you are, the less pressure you will feel when it's time to present to the court.
Stand tall, speak boldly. Harbor an awareness for your posture and your tone of voice when speaking to the court. Keep your back straight and avoid letting your shoulders cave forward. Make eye contact with those you are addressing. Don't speak too quietly or quickly and avoid long moments of hesitation. Your body language and manner of speaking tell others of your confidence or insecurity. Even if you don't feel like the most confident person in the courtroom, you can certainly fake it 'til you make it.
One last tip: stay hydrated to avoid a dry mouth! If you'd like even more tips on how to be an awesome orator, check out this past blog post!
Repetition, repetition. Everyone likes to say that practice makes perfect. The idea of perfection is debatable, but it certainly rings true that repetition builds confidence. No two cases are the same, but standing before a judge time and time again will hone your skills and imbue you with more confidence. You might find yourself breathing a little bit easier with each new case.
Remember--we're all human. The opposing counsel makes mistakes, too. The judge has his or her own worries nagging at the back of their mind. We've all been there, where we forget to attach a file to an email or accidentally miss a deadline, and through experience we know that it's not the end of the world. Own up to your mistakes when they do happen and seek to correct them. Odds are, everyone will be understanding--because we're all human and none of us are perfect.
Thrive in your emotions. Even as you build your confidence, the fear of failure might never truly leave, and that's okay. If you get too comfortable, it means you've stopped growing as a professional. It also grants you humility. It's dangerous to have an attitude in which you think you know everything. There is always more to learn; look no further than the PBI webcasts all about the latest hot topics and changing laws. CLE exists for a reason!
So, embrace the growing pains and thrive in the occasional anxiety--it might just keep you from making a mistake--but at the same time, don't let it overwhelm you. Keep building that rock-solid confidence to outweigh the nerves and demonstrate to your peers that you're one badass lawyer!
