There are many ways to succeed in law, and every lawyer has their own advice. The truth is we are all on the perpetual journey of becoming the best that we can. I am no exception, and I will share what has helped me reach the current stage in my career.

Hard Work

This is the most boring tip. But it is the most important tip. The harder you work, the better you get. And the better you get, the more confident you become. With great skills and confidence comes success, and with success comes more success. The requisite skills increase as you climb, though. People either continue to make the needed sacrifices to climb higher, or, for better or worse, they plateau. In this respect, you control your own destiny, and that destiny is based on how hard you work. 

Set Yourself Apart

Philosopher Baruch Spinoza said, "[a]ll things excellent are as difficult as they are rare." This principle is as true in law as it is in life. To be elite, you must be different. To be different, you must set yourself apart. Lawyers can set themselves apart in many ways. They can know the law better than anyone else. They can be a better writer than anyone else. They can be a better marketer than anyone else. The list goes on. Do not be afraid to be different. And do not use your age as a crutch; use it as a differentiator. Progressing beyond your years is one way to set yourself apart. Setting yourself apart helps build a brand that can erode the steepness of your climb.

Be Great at All You Do

Whether volunteering for a nonprofit, drafting a brief or performing due diligence, be great. Eventually, people will notice. Once people notice, more opportunities will come. There comes a day in every person's life when an important door opens. Whether you are ready for this opportunity depends on the reputation and skills that you have built—both of which improve from aiming for greatness every day.

Create Opportunities

Too often, people complain that opportunities do not come their way. If that is the case, create your own opportunities—start your own CLE, form your own nonprofit; create your own monthly dinner or book club. If you are great at these created opportunities, more opportunities will come and so will the reinforcing cycle of success.

Be Bold

To accomplish great things, regardless of your profession, you must take risks. Do not take risks for the sake of risk; take calculated risks. Sure there will be uncertainty. But uncertainty pushes you to grow. And who knows, maybe it works out. Lifetime explorer Norman Vaughan said "dream big and dare to fail." He put it well. 

Enjoy the Journey

Law is a regimented profession. To go to law school, you must graduate from college. To practice law, you must graduate from law school and pass the bar. To become a partner/judge, you must practice law for a certain period and meet certain expectations. Lawyers often race to the next stage indirectly wishing their life away. Each stage involves unique joys and (admittedly) challenges. But enjoy those life experiences as they make you, you. And unfortunately life does not allow for redos.   

Jake Evans is a senior associate at Holland & Knight.