The Fake It Till You Make It maxim rose to fame in 2016 partly due to Harvard Psychologist Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk, Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are. Amy talked about how faking confidence during job interviews will help you land a job. Eventually, the concept was misinterpreted to mean faking something just to become it, and even though the idea is good, it took a bad rap to people, and Amy had to explain its true concept. Still, many examples exist of how faking it can lead to success.
The misinterpreted form of the Fake It Till You Make It aphorism has merits to it. There will be times when you just have to start doing something just to learn it. And there will be times you will say you understand a certain project just to get the job. But you must know the difference between faking it versus telling an utter lie. Amy Cuddy did not intend to use the Fake It Till You Make It aphorism other than for job interviews. But it is a formula that might be effective in reaching a goal that seems far-fetched for someone who does not have the confidence to do work they have little knowledge about (emphasis on little, not none). Truly, at some point, faking it can lead to success.
Fake It Till You Make It – Personalities
Some people have successfully used the Fake It Till You Make It maxim in their careers. The following are Fake It Till You Make It examples of accomplished personalities. Let their examples be your guide on how to use this challenging maxim. A word of caution. Some of these people may have achieved success. Others may be, well, just trolling around.
Pablo Stanley
Pablo Stanley is a Mexican designer and co-host of a Hispanic podcast. In this awwwards YouTube video, he seriously tackles the subject of how faking it helps you to become a better designer. As a Design Lead at InVision, he is a creative genius.
In this video, take note and adopt some, if not most, of his knowledge and skills in creativity. Learn how he approaches productivity throughout the working day. And be inspired as he tackles techniques on how one can absolutely nail leadership.
You will learn why technical jargon is not a bad thing, how food and relaxation help you to do more, and why being vulnerable is a sign of being a great leader. Pablo is a designer who proved fake it first, then make it later.
Les Brown
Leslie Calvin “Les” Brown (born February 17, 1945) is an American legislator and motivational speaker.
Brown was declared “educable mentally retarded” in grade school. But with the help of a high school teacher, Brown realized his potential.
While waiting for a fellow student, a teacher came to him and told him to write what he was about to say on the board.
Les said he couldn’t because he wasn’t one of his students.
The teacher insisted saying, “It doesn’t matter just follow my directions.”
Les said, “I can’t do that sir.”
“Why not”, said the teacher.
“Because I’m educable mentally retarded.”
The teacher then looked at Les and said, “Don’t ever say that again. Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.”
And with those powerful words, Les Brown began to work on his dreams.
He once dreamed of becoming a disc jockey. Even though he had no prior job experience, he kept developing himself.
His persistence and preparation for his dream job paid off when he came to the point where he grabbed the opportunity.
Les has been an inspiration to many and he continues to be the source of motivation even to this day.
He may have faked it at first, but with Les’ persistence and preparation, he was able to make it to his dream.
