fake it ‘til you make it, really?
I have an issue with “fake it ‘til you make it”. Whilst I understand the sentiment it doesn't always work for me as a pep talk or framework. 🤷🏾♀️
I feel like my brain just thinks I’m trying to scam it and if I can’t convince my brain of it then things fall apart pretty quickly. It’s literally in the phrase “we’re faking it”.
What’s sometimes more effective, for me, is accepting that this situation and/or task is new, and while I may not be the best I’ve succeeded in learning and achieving new things before. Since birth, actually.
An evidence based approach to confidence. 🔬
Most of us adults have more evidence of our success than we think. Everything you’ve ever done has laid the foundation for what you’ll do next. I’ll illustrate with some examples from my own life.
Before I learned to code I didn’t know how to code (lol obviously) but I did know I’d leaned algebra from scratch before. I’d learned to read before. I’d learned how to conduct a university research project. I had evidence of learning new skills that required a high degree of focus and concentration. Even if they weren't related to tech and computers.
Similarly the first time I lifted weights, this was a new way of moving my body. However, I knew that once upon a time I learned to walk, I learned to dance, I learned to swim.
Now, naturally the more closely the evidence tracks your new venture the stronger the connection and identity creation (shout out to James Clear) but the reality is there is evidence in your life of you achieving things and learning. Tapping into that can often be useful if “fake it ‘til you make it” on it's own isn't cutting it.
Moreover, you can leverage the evidence of others. Find people with things in common with you, especially things that you have classed as limiting factors. This is the power of shared experiences. If they can do it, why not you?
I don't think "fake it 'til you make it" is unhelpful but I do think that supporting evidence can help with new journeys in adulthood.
