A $1,000 Saddle on A $10 Horse

Ever heard the phrase, “a $1,000 saddle on a $10 horse?” While a $1,000 saddle on a $10 horse may look good (at least the saddle will), it’s not likely to win a horserace. If I want to win a horserace, I’d rather have a $10 saddle on $1,000 horse. Wouldn’t you?

The same holds true for trying cases. A fancy saddle won’t win your case anymore than it’d win a horserace. Your trial is about crossing that finish line first. About winning for someone who truly deserves to win. When fraught with the fear of whether you’re good enough, you focus on your work until there’s no room left for fear, the fear falls away, and you prove to yourself you are damned well good enough to get justice for this deserving child.

When you stand in front of a jury it matters not what you’re wearing; whether your hair is out of place; or whether your sense of style could have been better. What matters is whether you can earnestly tell your story. From a place of strength and without fear.  

How do you rid yourself of that fear? Focus so intently on telling your story that you forget about what you’re wearing, when you last had your hair cut, and whether your shoes are shiny enough. It’ll no longer be about you.  It’ll be about helping someone who deserves your help.  About the child your client, your dear friend too now, lost.  At the hands of these men. 

When you focus so intently on helping someone, your fear falls away. The burden lifted, what’s left is you.  You focusing every ounce of your being on bringing your client’s story to life. On winning your case for someone you believe in, someone you’ve fought and sacrificed for, someone who truly deserves to win. 

You’ll no longer act out of fear. Because when you were scared to death, you had the courage to square your shoulders and stay in the ring. That’s the way you’ll win.  That’s the way you’ll change things, too.  

Until next time,
James Hugh Potts II
We Win. Things Change.