Your inner critic isn’t truth. It’s training. If you’re a woman lawyer stuck in self-doubt, overwork, or perfectionism, here’s how to stop letting that voice run your career and start leading with confidence.

Most lawyers know this voice:

• “You’re not smart enough.”
• “You should be further along by now.”
• “If you slow down, they’ll think you can’t hack it.”

It feels urgent because your brain registers it as survival code. But it’s not truth. It’s conditioning from law school, culture, and years of over-functioning. And fighting it doesn’t make it go away. It usually makes it louder.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the inner critic feels so convincing in the moment
• The two most common ways it shows up for lawyers: rules and judgments
• Why silencing it backfires (and what to do instead)
• How to integrate your critic so it no longer drives overwork and self-doubt
• Simple, real-time steps to let your wiser Self set the standard

You’ll hear practical examples for litigators, in-house counsel, public defenders, and more. Across roles, the critic uses the same playbook.

And when you interrupt it, you protect your health, sharpen your judgment, and build a career that actually sustains you.

Why this matters

Chronic stress isn’t just about deadlines or clients. It’s fueled by inner rules like “don’t rest,” “don’t ask for help,” and “don’t mess up.”
Those rules keep your nervous system on high alert. Over time, that state tips into burnout. Integration helps you break the cycle by bringing your reasoning brain back online so you can respond with clarity instead of fear.

Want more support?

• Book a confidential 20-minute Stress Reset Call: We'll pinpoint what's causing the stress and your next right step.
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Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:
021 Rethinking the Voice in Your Head: A Lawyer’s Guide to the Inner Critic
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/021-a-lawyers-guide-to-the-inner-critic