Does Faking it really work or is it just a big fat lie?
When you hear the phrase “Just fake it till you make it”, do you think it works? Do you think it is being authentic and true? Or are you just trying to pull the wool over someone’s eyes by pretending you are something your are not?
This week, my young teenager was telling me about his track meet coming up. He is not a track star but was lit up when he was telling me about his the events. The throwing events of javelin, shot-put and discus were where he felt he would excel. He was excited to compete. The only downside he could see was having to participate in a running event as well. “Mom”, he says with a little less light, “these legs just aren’t built for speed.” He seemed a bit disheartened but really wanted to compete in the throwing events so he had to do something. The event he had decided to compete in was the hurdles. His logic was it wasn’t just a running event and that he was pretty good at jumping. He thought he had a chance. His challenge…he had never run hurdles before. Scary but it won’t stop him. He thinks he has an outside chance and he will run the race believing he is a hurdler. He will practice, get advice from his coach and he will show up and do his best.
Life is just like that. When given a challenge we can really feel like we are way in over our heads but if we practice, ask for help when overwhelmed and show up, we grow. It doesn’t really matter the outcome if you are willing to show up and try.
What gets you to the starting line?
Belief and bravery.
You believe you can do it and then you take a risk. If my son believes he can do well, he will do better than if he started the race believing he was a failure. No matter the outcome at the track meet, he could win and go to Divisionals or trip over every hurdle, he will finish the race. He will succeed.
The intent behind the saying “Fake it till you make it” is believe you can until you can.
Believing doesn’t make you inauthentic, it makes you vulnerable.
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
Brené Brown
We take a risk by putting ourselves out there. We give ourselves permission to imagine the best possible outcome and feel what success feels like. Do what ever it takes to get yourself to the starting line and in the race.
It takes bravery to get started. But here is the thing about being brave, you can’t fake it. You can’t pretend to be brave. You are brave. Period. Acting brave is still brave.
You have so much control over what you believe and how you act. You can do anything you set your mind to. You can jump over every hurdle and finish the race. You got this. I believe in you.