How often do you second-guess yourself: whether it’s your decisions or abilities? I remember being in law-school and thinking, very soon someone’s going to realize that I’m not as smart as everyone thought I was. Getting good grades in school was never a challenge for me. It wasn’t until my junior year of college that I really started to put in more than a few minutes to study for an exam. This was due, in large part, because I had a photogenic memory. I could visually see my notes and what I had read, making it very easy to do well on tests.
When I got to law-school, I was no longer the standout student. Some of my peers had carried a 4.0 gpa throughout their entire academic career. Many of them had majored in complex studies such as biochemistry and engineering. I started to question whether I was truly capable of succeeding in law-school. Was I really cut out to be an attorney? Did I have what it takes? Had I made the right to decision? Did I deserve to be here?
“Learn to trust yourself. ”
My first year of law-school I studied more than I had in all of my years of school. I was mostly motivated by the need to over compensate for my fears and insecurities about whether I was "good enough" to be in law-school. After talking to many of my peers about the fears I had, I soon realized that many of them felt the same way.
Its not uncommon to question yourself and your abilities when the stakes of failing are high. Sometimes the nervousness and anxiety that comes with new challenges is exactly what we need to push us to work hard. I also believe a little nervousness is healthy. I’ve found that when I’m overly confident, that’s when I tend to not do my best.
While a measure of fear can be healthy, fear should never stop you from doing something because you don’t trust that you are capable. God tells us that it is in our weakness that His strength is made perfect. When God has opened a door and opportunity for you, it doesn’t matter what your qualifications are or what experience you do, or don’t, have. Trust that God will never lead you to a place that his grace and strength cannot also carry you.
Learn to trust your instincts. Trust that you are more than a conqueror and that you deserve success. Every successful person has failed at least once. Learn from your mistakes and use them to teach you how to do it better the next time. Learn to trust yourself.