Faking it until you make it can be a great way to accomplish your goals. When we pursue things that we have not done before we must be a little fake. We are fake in the sense that we are in new territory. When I hear, “fake it til you make it”, I picture a dude with costume jewelry in a foreign rental. This guy is always saying he is next up, and he is on top of the world. After he posts his picture to social media, he returns the jewelry and the car, then he goes back to work at mcds. Never drop an album and never goes to the studio. He wasted his money trying to prove to us that he was the man. Unfortunately, there is a lot of this bullshit on social media today. People are so obsessed with the image of success, and they believe if they look the part, they will attract success. THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS. FAKE THE FUNK NOT THE LOOK. Fake it til you make it does not apply to clothes and accessories. You will just be an impressive looking faker. If you want to use the fake it til you make it philosophy, you must fake the right things to achieve your goals.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHT THINGS TO FAKE?
Here is the progression to fake the funk.
1. Fake the actions
2. Fake the feelings
3.Fake the confidence
4.Becoming/success
Faking the actions is the most important step of this progression. I can hear y’all now” what you mean fake the actions bruh?” First thing you do is identify the actions of the type of person you are trying to be. For example: You want to be a writer. Well, what do writers do? They read and they write. How much do they read and write? What do they read and how do they write? Answer those questions. Now you have a blueprint to fake the actions of a writer. You can create a schedule based on the schedule of one of your favorite writers. The success writer has already laid a path success down for you. Now you do those actions like you are them. You are now faking the actions of a success writer. You can almost use that example for every skill or trade. Unless the thing you are trying to accomplish has never been done before. Even with that create a blueprint from people who have done things that was deemed impossible. Reverse engineer the actions and then take them.
Faking the feelings is more difficult. Faking the feeling is all about mindset. The ability to adopt the mindset of the type of person you are trying to become. You must pretend like you like the actions you are faking. You must fake enjoy the writing even if you do not. You are now the writer, actor, boxer, business owner, activist, or insert vocation. You need passion if you do not have it act like you do. You need drive if you do not have drive then pretend like you do. Etc. Faking the feeling is simple but it is difficult.
Faking the confidence becomes easier with time. How do you become confident at anything? You gain confidence by getting better. You get better with practice over time. Confidence occurs when your ability meets your expectations. Until you get good enough that your confidence is automatic you must pretend. You must tell yourself that you are confident. Don’t pussy foot, take the right actions like you know they are right. Often if you have done your research then you are taking the right actions. Understand that even the most successful people fuck up sometimes. If you get the actions wrong, readjust and keep moving confidently.
The final progression of “Faking It Til You Make It” is becoming. Becoming is the most fulfilling part of the progression. At the becoming stage the actions you were faking become internalized. You are no longer being fake; this is who you are. The actions you have taken are now habits. The way you think, process, and act has changed. There is no difference between you and the vision of yourself. You enjoy your work and do it religiously. Now you are the thing, person that you are trying to be. You are the writer, fighter, entrepreneur, filmmaker, etc. Do NOT stop. The Becoming stage is no time to slow down, you can still fall off your wagon. You can still lose all your progress if you do not stay diligent.
This progression is law and should be followed. Create a plan to follow, start with the actions. Little wins are better than zero wins. Next feel the feeling that should accompany the actions. After that act confidently, this is the only time your shit doesn’t stank. You know what to do so, act like it. Build your confidence through repetition and mastery. Finally, become what, who you want to be. You have taken the steps and have transcended. Stay diligent because anyone can fall off if they don’t pay attention.
“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you” – Thomas Jefferson
Stay HUSTLIN’
STAY GRINDIN’
Do this the Xtra Credit Hustle Way
