Lesson 19 Fake it until you make it

Coaching for College Students

Lesson 19 Fake it until you make it

We have talked about imaging, goals, attitudes and so much more in our earlier lessons.  Today we are looking at “Fake it until you make it”.

The concept is that although you are not quite into your ideal position, to act like you are in that position. 

This can work many ways.  Let’s try a health one.  You want to lose some weight and exercise.  But … you don’t “feel” like exercising.  Fake it.  Do and do the exercise – and it will happen (eventually).

In almost every activity there is some rehearsal time.  Let’s say you are in a play as a particular character.  For the first several rehearsals, you just don’t seem to be adequate in that part.  Keep going – fake it – learn the part – work on it.  By the time the play is performed, you will be outstanding in that part.

So, you get hired as a programmer (or accountant or any position).  Those first few weeks, you go home at night with head bowed down.  You say (negative self-talk) “I’m just not doing well at this.  I can’t do this.”.  Keep going, ask for help.

As a student, you are taking a tough class, say calculus.  You say “I can’t do this” as negative self-talk.  Picture yourself getting a good score on the test, fake it – ask questions in class, prepare, rehearse, go for help.  Work on it!!

You have been selected to lead your student organization.  Your self-talk says “I can’t do this”, but you take over the position and work on doing a great job.

Assignment:

• How might ‘fake it until you make it” have been part of your high school and other experiences? 
• How might you use ‘fake it unitl you make it’ as part of your college academic experiences?
• How might ‘fake it until you make it’ be in your brain as you take your first position.

Quote for today: “You must be the person you have never had the courage to be. Gradually, you will discover that you are that person, but until you can see this clearly, you must pretend and invent.” 
― Paulo Coelho