Like Sheryl Sandberg asks in her book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”

The different worries and fears that young women experience are endless. Even if we don’t realize it, fearful thoughts pop up in our minds daily and quietly wear down our faith in ourselves and our courage to do and achieve more.

For example, how many times have the following fears crossed your mind:

I’m afraid that people won’t take me seriously.

I’m afraid that I’m not smart enough.

I’m afraid to go forward since I’m not sure what the outcome will be.

I’m afraid that I will fail.

How many people do you think have cut off possibilities of success and happiness by allowing themselves to be influenced by discouraging thoughts and by simply not believing in themselves?

I’m no stranger to thoughts of fear and anxiety. While interning during law school, I was constantly worried that my boss, clients, or colleagues wouldn’t take me seriously. I was only a young woman in my early twenties. What did I know about being an attorney? How could I ever be as knowledgeable as the people more senior than me? The list of discouraging thoughts went on and on. I just couldn’t see how I could ever be a successful attorney.

And then one day it hit me. I thought- how has worrying about my abilities or how people perceive me ever helped me? All of a sudden it was clear to me that there was no benefit to being fearful and anxious. It didn’t matter that I was young and female. I was a good student and had the potential to succeed just like my role models. The only person holding me back was me. I felt like smacking myself in the forehead because it suddenly seemed so obvious.

After my revelation I was embarrassed because I had already read and loved Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. I had even previously saved an article written by Elizabeth Gilbert for the Shriver Report in which she clearly states, “Get out of your own way, women. It’s time. And nobody can do this part for you.” But for some reason I hadn’t felt that these inspiring messages applied to me. I thought that they were meant for women who already had careers. It took me a while to realize that, even as a student and an intern, I was afraid and standing in my own way.

I’m now in the process of studying for the bar exam and looking for a job- two very daunting tasks. But I’m not afraid. Instead of incessantly worrying about this and that, I think thoughts of hope, courage, and enthusiasm. I focus on success, I have faith, and I confidently picture myself reaching my goals. Because after all, what good will it do to think otherwise? As Elizabeth Gilbert so perfectly puts it, “Imperfection never stopped men from putting themselves forward! SO DON’T LET IT STOP YOU!” I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I do know that I won’t let my own insecurities stand in the way of my success and happiness.

If you’d like to check out a blog by LeanIn.Org entirely dedicated to what women would do if they weren’t afraid, visit http://ifuwerentafraid.tumblr.com/about.