Feeling anxious about mistakes? You're not alone

Feeling anxious about mistakes? You’re not alone

By LawCare

Mistakes are a normal part of life. But in the legal sector, where accuracy and high standards are expected, the fear of making a mistake can feel overwhelming. At LawCare, we often hear from people who worry about past mistakes or feel anxious about what could go wrong in the future.

For some, this fear takes over. We've spoken to people who keep going over past decisions, questioning themselves, and believing they've made a huge mistake they can't fix. Others worry so much about making a mistake that they struggle to focus, put things off, doubt their choices, or even avoid tasks completely.

These worries don’t just disappear when the workday ends. Many legal professionals tell us they struggle to sleep because of anxious thoughts, replaying case details or conversations in their heads late into the night. Some describe waking up with a racing heart, feeling physically sick at the thought of what might happen if they make a mistake.

Why does this happen in the legal sector?

The legal sector places high expectations on its people. Lawyers, paralegals, trainees, and support staff often work in environments where mistakes can have serious consequences - for clients, cases, the reputation of the employer and careers.

There are several reasons why people have a strong fear of making mistakes:

·       Pressure to be perfect – Many people in law feel they must get everything right, often setting impossible standards for themselves. The work can be complex with tight deadlines and high regulatory standards.

  • High stakes – In legal work, even small mistakes can feel significant due to the potential for serious outcomes.
  • Fear of judgement – Worrying about what colleagues, supervisors, or clients think can make mistakes feel like personal failures.
  • Blame culture – In some workplaces, mistakes aren’t treated as learning experiences, making it hard for people to admit errors or move forward after making one.

The impact of constant anxiety

When the fear of making mistakes takes over, it doesn’t just affect work - it can harm mental and physical health too. Constant worry can lead to burnout, making it harder to focus and stay motivated. It can also knock confidence, causing self-doubt even when things are going well. Some people start putting off tasks or avoiding opportunities because they’re afraid of getting things wrong. Anxiety can also show up in physical ways, like headaches, stomach problems, tense muscles, and trouble sleeping.

Moving forward: how to manage fear of mistakes

If this all sounds familiar, here are a few ideas that might help:

  1. Acknowledge negative thoughts – It’s common when we’re under stress to jump to worst-case scenarios, particularly in law where it’s often part of the training. If you keep stressing over a mistake, take a moment to acknowledge those thoughts. What would you say to a friend feeling the same way? Indulge in some self-care, which might free up some headspace to think things through more clearly.
  2. Speak to someone you trust – Whether it's a mentor, colleague, or a support service (like LawCare). Talking about your worries can help you see things more clearly
  3. See mistakes as a chance to learn – No one gets everything right 100% of the time. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, try to see them as opportunities to grow and improve.
  4. Be realistic – No one is perfect. Focus on doing your best instead of trying to be flawless.

It is so important to be kind to yourself. Mistakes don’t define you; they’re a normal part of life.

You're not alone

If you’re feeling anxious about making mistakes, you’re not alone - lots of people in the legal sector feel this way too. Support is available, and you don’t have to deal with it on your own.

Talking about your worries can help. At LawCare, we provide confidential, non-judgemental support to anyone in the legal sector who is struggling with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, or anything else that’s making life difficult. We’re here for you.

📞 Call LawCare for a confidential chat on 0800 279 6888

📱 Use LawCare’s online chat at www.lawcare.org.uk to connect with a real person who understands

📧 Email LawCare at support@lawcare.org.uk