Predestined for Disappointment
It has recently occurred to me that I do an awful lot of fantasizing about law school. In fact, I do so much fantasizing that I have begun to wonder if I am setting myself up for disappointment.
Inside of my mind’s eye I am free to imagine my future law immersed world without the constraints of reality. I can imagine myself going out more than my workload might permit. Or I can imagine that my professors will all do a great job. I could potentially sit in my cube all day and imagine all kinds of unrealistic scenarios.
The problem is that an unrealistic picture of what law school looks like could make me less willing (or able) to sacrifice for success. Obviously, this is not a desirable outcome.
I suppose the best method of combating this problem is to “fight fire with fire.” Lately, I have started to visualize a lot more. Visualizing for me is not fantasizing. When I visualize I literally close my eyes and imagine a future reality as close to the real thing as possible. I imagine little details like sitting in the library on a nice day while fighting through urges to join my friends at the bar. Or the sinking deer in headlights feelings while being called upon in class.
I feel confident in my visualizations. I have had first hand experience with the success of visualizations. I have found that when I go to the gym visualizations help me to push beyond my ordinary limits. Sure, getting an extra rep on a set squats is a little different than putting in countless extra hours in the library but the payout isn’t nearly the same ether. I’m also visualizing law school a lot more than squats too.
I think in the end I’ll be perfectly happy at law school.
