Breaking Down the Phrase “Fake it Till You Make it”: What It Means, How It’s Applied in Life and Business, with Real-Life Examples of Achieving Success
What is “Fake it Till You Make it”?
“Fake it till you make it” means pretending you’ve already achieved the confidence or success you desire, or acting as if you’ve already become who you want to be.
It’s both a funny American saying and a psychological technique. For instance, if you’re afraid of public speaking, behave as if you’re confident and performing like Steve Jobs. Eventually, you’ll convince yourself, and others.
How to Apply “Fake it Till You Make it”
This method involves working deeply with your self-perception. It’s a way to get unstuck and begin making changes, trying daily actions that bring you closer to your goals.
How to Make “Fake it Till You Make it” Work
1. Honestly define what you want and who you want to be.
2. Act as though you’ve already achieved it. Think about how such a person would see the world, behave, and live.
3. Live one day as that person. Then do it again. And again.
– Start with small, everyday actions: how you walk, shop, or relax.
4. Crucially, you’re not pretending for others but tapping into an inner version of yourself, bringing that vision to life.
Practical Application
Psychologists note that mere pretense won’t help. You need action. Believe and act as if you’ve already succeeded, taking consistent steps toward your goal.
Example: A woman wants to lose weight. She convinces herself she’s already succeeded and feels beautiful (think I Feel Pretty starring Amy Schumer). This mindset helps her stop eating sweets, switch to healthy meals, and start going to the gym. Over time, her actions make the belief a reality.
– The principle here: by changing your life daily, your brain adjusts to the new reality.
The Right and Wrong Ways to Use This Technique
– Wrong: Using it as a mere facade or pretense for others.
– Right: Deeply transforming how you perceive yourself.
– It’s not about fooling others but reprogramming your mindset.
– Like kids role-playing as doctors or teachers, this method helps you rehearse behaviors for the future you want.
Practical Steps for Success
1. Define clearly what you want (e.g., happiness, confidence, fitness).
2. Behave as though you’re already that person: happy, confident, or fit.
– Imagine how such a person would think, act, and live.
– Live one day at a time with this mindset, even in simple tasks like walking or shopping.
3. Important: You’re not imitating; you’re manifesting this version from within.
Pitfalls of “Fake it Till You Make it”
The technique can backfire if taken too far. For instance:
– Overdoing it:
– A woman dreams of running a travel blog and fakes a lavish lifestyle by taking out loans, staging photo shoots with champagne and caviar, and flying to Dubai for staged content. While there’s a slim chance she could succeed, she’s more likely to end up in debt and disappointment.
– Pretending too much:
– A man uses the technique to impress a potential employer with confident gestures and behavior. While he may advance, he’s left with unresolved insecurities that can resurface.
Real-life examples like Anna Delvey (who faked being a wealthy heiress and defrauded people of $200,000) show the dangers of using this technique deceptively. She ended up serving 3.5 years in prison.
When “Fake it Till You Make it” Works
Two American friends launching a startup for artists faced challenges being taken seriously by investors and developers. To solve this, they invented a fictional male co-founder.
– They created an email account for him and used it to set tasks and communicate.
– Investors and developers began responding promptly and with more respect.
The women eventually launched their business, secured funding, and only later revealed their secret about the “male co-founder.”
“Fake it till you make it” isn’t about deceiving others: it’s about transforming your self-image and committing to actions that align with your goals. When used as a tool for self-improvement, it can help you overcome fears, build confidence, and achieve success. But without genuine effort and authenticity, it risks leading to disappointment or failure.