Generation J.D.

My piece of advice for the day — get out of your comfort zone!

For some folks, this means going to and participating actively in networking events.  That’s always been within my comfort zone.  What’s always been outside of my comfort zone is public speaking.

I learned this early on when I had to participate in mock trial in law school.  Well, actually, it started at my Bat Mitzvah, where I was so nervous that beforehand I was advised to picture everyone in the synagogue in their pajamas. . . I did a fine job (at both my Bat Mitzvah and at the mock trial), but boy, was I nervous. And when I’m nervous, particularly when I’m nervous because I’m speaking in public — I get ulcer-like feelings in my stomach.  Just not a pretty picture.

And so, I became a transactional lawyer.  I just knew my stomach wouldn’t hold up to litigation.  And then I had my first public speaking opportunity — and my second, and my third.  The first one was a bear.  And so was the second.  And the third.  But the fourth, well, it was a little better, and each time thereafter was easier and easier.

And then, lo and behold, earlier this week — speaking in front of a room of clients and colleagues — for the first time (11 years after that first mock trial experience), I wasn’t nervous.  No stomach pains, no being flushed.  I just got up there and did it.  I actually kind of forgot that I was speaking in public.  And no one was wearing pajamas.

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