We’ve all heard the advice: “Fake it ’til you make it.” It’s a popular mantra, often shared with the best intentions. It suggests that by acting like you’re already successful, confident, or happy, you’ll eventually become that person.
And for some, it may work for a while. But for many of us, it feels… well, fake. It can lead to imposter syndrome, burnout, and a profound sense of disconnection from who we truly are.
What if we changed the script? What if we tossed out that ineffective phrase and replaced it with something more powerful, more authentic? Imagine the relief of not having to fake it, but instead, being able to make it.
We are talking about a new mindset: “Make it until you make it.”
“Fake it ’til you make it” suggests that you pretend you have it all together, and maybe one day you will. The problem is that you spend all your energy maintaining a facade instead of building a solid foundation.
“Make it until you make it” is entirely different. It’s an internal commitment. It’s not about pretending; it’s about doing. It’s about creating. It’s about taking small, consistent, and authentic actions, even when you don’t feel ready.
It’s about building, learning, and growing through the process itself. You aren’t faking anything. You are actively making the life, the career, the relationships, the person you want to become. In contrast, ‘Fake it ’til you make it’ asks you to put on a mask. It’s about outward perception. It says, ‘Pretend you have it all together, and maybe one day you will.’ The problem is, you spend all your energy maintaining a facade instead of building a foundation.
So, how do we put this into practice? How do we shift from faking to making? I have three actionable tips to help you start today.
Tip #1: Define Your “Make.”
You can’t start making it if you don’t know what you’re building. Faking it is vague, but making it specific is not. Take some time to get clear on what you truly want. Don’t just say “I want to be successful.” What does success look like for you? Is it writing a book? Launching a business? Learning a new language? Being a more present parent?
Grab a journal or your phone and write down one clear goal. Then, break it down into the smallest possible first step. If your goal is to write a book, your first “make” isn’t writing the whole book. It’s writing a single paragraph. Or outlining the first chapter. The point is to identify a tangible action you can take right now.
Tip #2: Embrace Imperfect Action.
This is where the magic happens. “Make it until you make it” means you have to be willing to be a beginner. You have to accept that your first attempt won’t be perfect. Your first blog post may not be ideal. Your first workout might be short. Your first painting might not be a masterpiece.
And that’s okay. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. It keeps you waiting for the “right time” or until you “feel ready,” which often means you never start at all.
Embracing imperfect action is where the magic happens. It’s about taking pride in your first attempt, even if it’s not perfect. I remember when I first started the Three Word podcast. I had no idea what I was doing. I had no technical skills and was nervous recording my first podcast.
However, I chose to create the Three Word Podcast to inspire and educate. I decided to record that first, imperfect Episode. It wasn’t the best, but it was real. And by making that Episode, and the next, and the next, I learned. I improved. I created it. I’ve made it to where I am today, recording my 278th Episode. You have to permit yourself to create something and don’t wait.
Tip #3: Document, Don’t Judge.
As you start making, it’s easy to fall into the trap of self-criticism. “This isn’t good enough,” “I’m not getting there fast enough.” To counter this, shift your focus from judgment to documentation.
Keep a log of your efforts. Did you write down your vision for better health, finances, and your business? Write it down. Did you send that one email you’ve been dreading? Acknowledge it. Did you go for a walk instead of hitting your goal of a 3-mile run? That still counts!
It isn’t about judging the quality of the action. It’s about honoring the consistency of it. When you look back after a few weeks or months, you won’t see a list of failures. You will see evidence of progress and that you are a person who shows up. You are a person who is making things happen. It will build confidence, not by faking it, but by proving to yourself that you are capable.
So let’s recap:
- Define Your “Make”: Get specific about what you’re building and identify the first step.
- Embrace Imperfect Action: Give yourself permission to start and learn as you go.
- Document, Don’t Judge: Track your efforts, keep making progress, and build your confidence.
The world doesn’t need more people faking it. It needs you, with your unique skills, your passions, and your story. It requires you to start building, creating, and making.
Your call to action for this week. Choose one area of your life where you’ve been waiting. Apply these three steps. Define your “make,” take one small, imperfect action, and write it down. That’s it. Don’t wait for inspiration. Don’t wait until you feel confident. Create your own momentum. Start making it, right now. If not now, when?
Start making it, right now, and keep making it until you look around and realize… you’ve made it.
Connect with Lisa:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisathal/
http://threewordmeetings.com
http://threewordpodcast