How to "Fake it 'till you make it"

In 2016, I published my first blog post online.

It took me around one month of writing and polishing until I clicked the "publish" button. I was excited.

But nobody read my article because it was shit.

So I stopped writing.

I couldn't fake it.

I didn't make it.

Faking it

I started writing again in 2018. I wrote more consistently and published three blog posts in 6 months. It took longer than before because I took some time to revise the articles. I didn't want to write shitty blog posts again.

Despite the time it took to polish the articles, only a few people read them. But this time, I didn't stop.

I kept going.

I learned from my mistakes, improved my writing skills with each post published, and absorbed materials for the next blog post. I started gaining followers on Medium, and people started recognising my work. I took baby steps, and it paid off.

From 2018 to 2022, I published 103 articles online. I haven't "made it" yet, but the consistency got me far enough for people to consider me as a writer.

I didn't know what I was doing. But I kept going. I was faking it.

I still don't know what I'm doing. I am faking it right now.

Faking is not lying

The misconception about the term "fake it 'till you make it" is as if you need to lie about your resume and skill set. It suggests that you should pretend to be a hotshot from day one. As if you know all the answers from the very beginning.

You can't be more wrong than that.

The term suggests you do something you couldn't do. Try something you think you won't be good at. Experience new things. Push the limits and see how far you can go.

That's what it means to "fake it."

If you want to be a good cook, do what a cook would. They cook, and so should you. Fake it as if you are a real cook.

If you want to be a programmer, pretend to be one. What does a programmer's day look like? Code every day, build something. Fake it as if you are a real programmer.

If you want to be an actor, act like one. Go on auditions, create YouTube videos, and practice your acting skills. Do what an actor would do.

"Fake it" means to push yourself beyond your boundaries. It doesn't imply lying your way so people think you are someone you're not. It is more powerful than that.

I pretended that I was a writer.

So I did what a writer would do.

I wrote.

'Till You make it

But what would people think about you? They will surely know that you are just playing pretend, right?

Here's the hard truth.

You are not the centre of their world. Their world does not revolve around you.

You are the only one who thinks about you. Similarly, other people are busy thinking about themselves. So why do you care so much about what they think of you?

Whenever you are in doubt, remember this: Everyone is busy with their own lives — because they are the protagonist in their life. And in their life, you're just an extra. People don't think about you all day long. And their interest and expectations of you won't last for long.

So use this moment, when you are not famous yet, to focus on yourself. Learn new things, improve your skills, and put effort into your work. Make mistakes, do something risky, and give it your all.

This is your chance to do whatever you want.

Because:

Nobody cares about what you do.

You are the main character of your life.

And they are just extras.

Fake it 'till you make it

Many people fail to fake it because they fear being judged or labelled. I empathize with this feeling; I know exactly how it feels.

But...

Is it going to stop you from doing what you want to do?

Is it going to keep you from achieving your dreams?

Don't you want to know how far you can go?

If so, then let's do it more subtly.

You don't need to publish your work online. You don't need to share it with people. Because anyway, you are not doing it for them, right?

Remember why you are doing this.

You are doing this

For yourself.

I hope you find this post inspiring.

And whenever life feels too much, remember:

It's not going to be easy,
But it's not impossible.

Brian.