"Fake it 'til you make it!"
That’s a pretty common phrase. What does it mean to you? Does it sound like good business advice? Why or why not? After all, nobody likes a fake.
Would you want your surgeon to fake it ‘til she makes it before you go under the knife? Of course not! You wouldn’t want any part of that, and neither would I.
Nevertheless, I love the phrase, “fake it ‘til you make it!” For me, it has nothing to do with faking knowledge, skills or qualifications—but rather it has to do with putting yourself in an environment to create a positive mental attitude before attempting to do something important.
That’s a pretty common phrase. What does it mean to you? Does it sound like good business advice? Why or why not? After all, nobody likes a fake.
Would you want your surgeon to fake it ‘til she makes it before you go under the knife? Of course not! You wouldn’t want any part of that, and neither would I.
Nevertheless, I love the phrase, “fake it ‘til you make it!” For me, it has nothing to do with faking knowledge, skills or qualifications—but rather it has to do with putting yourself in an environment to create a positive mental attitude before attempting to do something important.
This phrase goes hand-in-hand with another phrase I routinely use: “your attitude determines your altitude.” A poor attitude will often lead to poor performance, a good attitude to good performance, and a great attitude to great performance!
Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t ALWAYS have a great attitude. I’ll admit it, I’m human. Sometimes I wake up a little grumpy or feeling a bit lazy and in need of a little pep talk. That’s where “fake it ‘til you make it” comes in to play for me. Let me explain.
If you looked at my LinkedIn profile, you probably saw that I am a pharmaceutical sales manager. However, I also teach karate classes most Saturday mornings. It’s been an important part of my personal development and has become a significant side of my professional identity. Training in a martial art is great for physical exercise, mental discipline, and self-defense—plus I love to coach and inspire others to become their best in life. It’s the perfect hobby for me.
Regardless of how much I love this part of my life, after a long and stressful workweek, waking up early on a cold or rainy Michigan morning to teach classes on my day-off doesn’t always sound appealing. My inner voice is complaining that I’m too tired, feeling sorry for myself, and in need of some free-time to lie around and take it easy. Perhaps I feel lethargic and unmotivated—even a little resentful for having to live up to my personal commitment. Not exactly what people look for in their karate instructor!
Do you ever feel that way about your job, or any of your other important commitments? Do those feelings affect your performance? Do you have a proven system to snap yourself out of it?
This is where “fake it ‘til you make it” works perfectly, and how it changes my attitude, my performance, and my outlook for the rest of my Saturday and beyond--and how it can work for you too!
Step one involves making a physical transformation by changing into my karate uniform. By properly dressing for my role—and looking my best, my subconscious mind begins to see its reflection and changes from the temporary “grumpy, lethargic Kevin,” to the more appropriately suited-up, “Master Kevin!”
Step two starts with welcoming each co-worker and customer/student with a smile, handshake, or high five and a cheerful yet powerful greeting coupled with genuine words of encouragement and appreciation (even if it feels a little forced, at first). I can already begin to feel my blood pumping and my attitude changing, as I know others are counting on ME to be THEIR cheerleader and motivator!
Step three, in my personal “fake it ‘til you make it” transformation takes shape as I jump into a well-established success routine that re-connects a familiar positive attitude/action feedback loop. In this case by leading the traditional warm-up exercises, which is something I’ve done thousands of times – so that once I start, I go into “auto-pilot” and my muscle memory takes over, leaving my mind no alternative but to assume its familiar positive mental attitude state automatically.
Without even thinking, I project a powerful voice, enthusiastic tone, dynamic body movements, and throw off more signals of encouragement and inspiration. In no time, the class is whipped up into a sweat-filled frenzy of drills, learning, and group camaraderie!
Everyone leaves class happy and fulfilled, ready to tackle the rest of their weekend with renewed confidence and vigor. Of course, now I can’t even remember how I could have possibly felt lethargic, grumpy, or in need of a break just a few short hours earlier. I am ready for anything now that I started my weekend by doing the one thing that is most important to me!
Maybe you’re thinking, “this doesn’t apply to me because I don’t teach Karate,” (and you would probably be in big trouble if you came to work in a martial arts uniform—kicking and screaming at your co-workers and clients!).
It doesn’t matter because the same 3-step process will apply to you and your work world too! Start by dressing for success and looking your very best. Observe your transformation in the mirror as you become your unstoppable professional alter ego.
Will yourself (you may have to, at first) to meet your co-workers and/or customers with an enthusiastic greeting and sincere words of encouragement and appreciation. Smile, shake hands, greet people by their names, and as you lift their spirits—you’ll really be lifting your own!
Finally, be sure to start your workday with routines that reconnect pre-established actions to positive attitude feedback loops as a way to change your negative attitude into a positive one! Maybe that’s driving to work with your favorite soundtrack blasting on your car stereo (instead of the depressing news or whining and complaining talk-radio). Perhaps you start your day with a great workout that pumps up your attitude along with your muscles or cardio endurance. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is a familiar positive attitude/action feedback loop that helps put you in the right state of mind for a successful day ahead!
Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t ALWAYS have a great attitude. I’ll admit it, I’m human. Sometimes I wake up a little grumpy or feeling a bit lazy and in need of a little pep talk. That’s where “fake it ‘til you make it” comes in to play for me. Let me explain.
If you looked at my LinkedIn profile, you probably saw that I am a pharmaceutical sales manager. However, I also teach karate classes most Saturday mornings. It’s been an important part of my personal development and has become a significant side of my professional identity. Training in a martial art is great for physical exercise, mental discipline, and self-defense—plus I love to coach and inspire others to become their best in life. It’s the perfect hobby for me.
Regardless of how much I love this part of my life, after a long and stressful workweek, waking up early on a cold or rainy Michigan morning to teach classes on my day-off doesn’t always sound appealing. My inner voice is complaining that I’m too tired, feeling sorry for myself, and in need of some free-time to lie around and take it easy. Perhaps I feel lethargic and unmotivated—even a little resentful for having to live up to my personal commitment. Not exactly what people look for in their karate instructor!
Do you ever feel that way about your job, or any of your other important commitments? Do those feelings affect your performance? Do you have a proven system to snap yourself out of it?
This is where “fake it ‘til you make it” works perfectly, and how it changes my attitude, my performance, and my outlook for the rest of my Saturday and beyond--and how it can work for you too!
Step one involves making a physical transformation by changing into my karate uniform. By properly dressing for my role—and looking my best, my subconscious mind begins to see its reflection and changes from the temporary “grumpy, lethargic Kevin,” to the more appropriately suited-up, “Master Kevin!”
Step two starts with welcoming each co-worker and customer/student with a smile, handshake, or high five and a cheerful yet powerful greeting coupled with genuine words of encouragement and appreciation (even if it feels a little forced, at first). I can already begin to feel my blood pumping and my attitude changing, as I know others are counting on ME to be THEIR cheerleader and motivator!
Step three, in my personal “fake it ‘til you make it” transformation takes shape as I jump into a well-established success routine that re-connects a familiar positive attitude/action feedback loop. In this case by leading the traditional warm-up exercises, which is something I’ve done thousands of times – so that once I start, I go into “auto-pilot” and my muscle memory takes over, leaving my mind no alternative but to assume its familiar positive mental attitude state automatically.
Without even thinking, I project a powerful voice, enthusiastic tone, dynamic body movements, and throw off more signals of encouragement and inspiration. In no time, the class is whipped up into a sweat-filled frenzy of drills, learning, and group camaraderie!
Everyone leaves class happy and fulfilled, ready to tackle the rest of their weekend with renewed confidence and vigor. Of course, now I can’t even remember how I could have possibly felt lethargic, grumpy, or in need of a break just a few short hours earlier. I am ready for anything now that I started my weekend by doing the one thing that is most important to me!
Maybe you’re thinking, “this doesn’t apply to me because I don’t teach Karate,” (and you would probably be in big trouble if you came to work in a martial arts uniform—kicking and screaming at your co-workers and clients!).
It doesn’t matter because the same 3-step process will apply to you and your work world too! Start by dressing for success and looking your very best. Observe your transformation in the mirror as you become your unstoppable professional alter ego.
Will yourself (you may have to, at first) to meet your co-workers and/or customers with an enthusiastic greeting and sincere words of encouragement and appreciation. Smile, shake hands, greet people by their names, and as you lift their spirits—you’ll really be lifting your own!
Finally, be sure to start your workday with routines that reconnect pre-established actions to positive attitude feedback loops as a way to change your negative attitude into a positive one! Maybe that’s driving to work with your favorite soundtrack blasting on your car stereo (instead of the depressing news or whining and complaining talk-radio). Perhaps you start your day with a great workout that pumps up your attitude along with your muscles or cardio endurance. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is a familiar positive attitude/action feedback loop that helps put you in the right state of mind for a successful day ahead!
Regardless of your job title or what role you're playing, the right frame of mind and a positive attitude will improve your performance!
Should you “fake it ‘til you make it?”
Absolutely!
Should you “fake it ‘til you make it?”
Absolutely!
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