Fake It, You're Not Going To Make It
Readtime: 4 minutes
‘Fake It, You're Not Going To Make It.’
Maybe not the most motivational message.
But here's what I mean...
We often hear ‘Fake it until you make it.’
And it’s not bad advice.
But, the chances are you’re not going to make it, and then kick back with no more faking it.
No, the truth is you’re going to keep 'making it’ many times.
And each time you’re going to need to 'fake' something else.
In this article, I am going to break down this cycle so you can master it.
Let’s dive in.
1. Chances are, you’re not going to ‘make it’
I don’t mean you’re not going to have success. That is pretty much guaranteed because you’ve found my website 😀.
What I mean is that there’s always going to be a next step.
Once you reach a particular level of success. You’re going to be looking for what’s next.
Every accomplished mentor or leader you look up to – those who seem to have ‘made it’ – are still climbing their own mountains.
And it’s unlikely that you’ll get to a stage where you’ve ‘made it’ and decide to plateau.
You’re also unlikely to be aiming at a fixed destination throughout your life. And your own personal growth won’t stop once you get to a particular place.
There are lots of super successful, very wealthy people who you think have ‘made it’, who go on to do something else that sounds like work.
That doesn’t mean that we won’t opt for a change of pace at some stage in our lives. But it’s very likely that the next big promotion or next big life change, isn’t going to be your last.
So, there’s always going to be an element of making it throughout your career and life.
And whilst you’re making it, you are going to need to do some faking too.
2. Is it ok to fake it?
Faking it has a bad rep. It implies some sort of dishonesty, pretending to be someone you’re not.
But it's not about deception.
And it’s not about impersonation – it’s about aspiration.
Consider it not as faking, but as practicing – practicing the skills, attitudes, and mindsets that will become second nature to you.
It's about leaning into your next step before you feel ready.
'Faking it' is less about pretending and more about believing in your potential.
It isn't about abandoning who you are; it's about evolving into who you will become.
It's a bridge to the person you're becoming.
3. How do I fake it?
You start by acting 'as if'.
Embody the mindset and behaviours of who you aspire to be.
Start with a vision of your future self.
Begin with small, tangible actions that align with this vision.
If you aspire to lead, start by adopting the language of leadership. Communicate clearly, confidently, and with purpose.
Seek feedback – from mentors, peers, and, importantly, those you lead.
It's about incremental growth, the kind that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and into a space where learning accelerates.
Keep your values in check. They are your compass.
Faking it never means compromising your integrity and honesty. If it's about knowledge, don’t feign understanding if you don’t have it.
It’s about closing the gap between perception and reality, honing your skills until the role that once felt like a stretch fits you like a glove.
4. When to drop the act?
There's a rhythm to this dance of faking it.
You'll feel it when your 'act' starts to fit like second skin. That's when you're not faking it anymore.
It's who you are. It's earned authenticity.
This cycle – faking, making, remaking – it keeps going.
You'll conquer one peak and spot the next.
It's exhilarating and daunting.
Each new chapter will demand a bit of 'faking' as you learn the ropes.
Newly acquired competence turns into confidence.
So embrace the cycle. It's not just about getting to the top; it's about expanding the horizon with each new climb.
That’s it!
In Summary
Congratulations, you now know:
There’s always going to be a next step.
‘Faking it’ is a bridge to the person you're becoming.
Start by acting ‘as if’ – but don’t compromise your integrity.
You’re no longer faking it when newly acquired competence turns into confidence.
On a personal note
I thought I’d ‘made it’ multiple times in my career at KPMG, that I had things sorted out. When I got promoted to manager I thought I had made it – and very promptly got given a client to manage in an industry I knew very little about. I faked it too hard in front of the CFO – who saw through me completely. He called me out on it and I explained that whilst I knew the industry, I didn’t know his very specific (and technical) part of it.
I thought I was toast.
But it turns out that most people appreciate honesty – and he then helped me.
It taught me that, yes there will always be an element of faking it as you’re learning new things, just don’t go too hard too early.
One video to get you going
Matthew McConaughey on how your hero is always 10 years away. The relevant part is just one minute long and starts at 3:27.
I like this as it has three key messages that I believe to be true:
Our true fulfilment comes from the journey of growth that we're on, not just a specific destination.
Our goals and aspirations grow over time.
We should only compare ourselves to our past selves, not others.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please email me at coaching@mostynwilson.com.
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Increasing productivity and reducing burnout risk (yes – at the same time)
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