"Fake It Until You Make It": The Power of Attitude and Perseverance

"Fake it until you make it" - a phrase that sounds rather controversial, but harbours a profound concept that can play a transformative role in our lives (and no it’s not about orgasms).

It's not about duplicity or deception, but rather adopting attitudes and behaviours that propel us toward our goals.

It's about simulating confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset until these qualities become a part of our identity.

Bit like this online rag of ours, but we ain’t faking matey.

The Phrase: What Does It Mean?

At first glance, "Fake it until you make it" seems to advocate for a false persona or inauthentic behaviour.

However, its essence lies far from this assumption. The phrase encourages us to act and think like the person we aspire to become, pushing us out of our comfort zone, increasing self-efficacy, and promoting growth and development.

Let's say you are an aspiring public speaker, but stage fright paralyses you. Faking it until you make it may involve pushing yourself to act confidently on stage, despite the butterflies in your stomach. With time, the repeated exposure and practice can help you develop real confidence and diminish your stage fright.

The Science Behind the Slogan

Underneath its catchy façade, "Fake it until you make it" is rooted in established psychological concepts like the "self-fulfilling prophecy" and "cognitive dissonance". The self-fulfilling prophecy suggests that we tend to meld our behaviour according to our self-perception.

If we think and act like successful individuals, we're more likely to become one.

Cognitive dissonance, on the other hand, is the discomfort experienced when our actions contradict our beliefs. If you behave confidently while feeling insecure, this creates a conflict in your mind. To alleviate this discomfort, your brain may start to change your underlying beliefs about your self-confidence, making the "faked" confidence become genuine over time.

Inspiring Examples: "Fake It Until You Make It" in Action

1. Amy Cuddy's Power Poses

Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, presented a TED Talk in 2012 about "power poses".

According to her research, adopting confident and dominant body postures (even when you don't feel confident) can alter hormone levels, increasing confidence and decreasing stress. This is a classic example of "fake it until you make it", where your body language can shape who you are.

2. Richard Branson's Entrepreneurial Journey

Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, is a shining example of this mantra. When he started his record business, he had no substantial knowledge of the industry. But he pushed forward, behaving like the successful entrepreneur he wanted to become. He made mistakes, learned, and eventually became one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time, sounds like a few people we know.

3. Alibaba's Growth

The colossal success of Alibaba, one of the world's largest e-commerce platforms, is also a testament to this philosophy. Jack Ma, the founder, despite numerous rejections and failures, continued to portray Alibaba as a successful entity. His determination and constant projection of success eventually turned the tables, and Alibaba is now a global powerhouse.

Limitations and Misunderstandings

While "Fake it until you make it" can be a powerful mindset, it's important to understand its limitations.

It doesn't mean pretending to have skills or qualifications that you don't actually possess, which could lead to professional disaster and ethical quandaries. Instead, it should be about adopting a growth mindset, developing a positive mental attitude, and pushing oneself to act in ways that promote personal and professional growth.

Furthermore, this mindset should not replace actual skill development. Instead , it should serve as a complement to learning and growing. The confidence and positive mindset you're "faking" initially should be a motivator for acquiring the skills and competencies required to genuinely "make it".

Also, while this mindset advocates for projecting success and confidence, it should not dismiss the importance of acknowledging failures and weaknesses. These are essential for personal growth and improvement.

In other words, don’t use it as an excuse to avoid personal development or mask insecurities without addressing the root causes.

Final Thoughts: Harnessing the Power of "Fake It Until You Make It"

"Fake it until you make it" is more than a catchy phrase—it's a psychological toolkit that encourages a growth mindset, resilience, and self-efficacy. By embodying the qualities of the person we aspire to become, we can stimulate our inner transformation.

However, as with any tool, it must be used judiciously and ethically. It's not about deception or denial of reality; rather, it's a form of self-belief and positivity, a push to step out of our comfort zone and evolve into the best versions of ourselves.

Whether you're an emerging leader striving to appear more confident, an entrepreneur trying to project success amidst challenges, or anyone else aiming to grow personally or professionally, remember: "Fake it until you make it" isn't about faking who you are, it's about becoming who you aspire to be.

Embrace this mindset as a guide on your path to growth and success, and you just might surprise yourself by how quickly you progress from "faking it" to truly "making it".

Zen man, totally zen.