We’ve all heard the mantra: “Fake it till you make it!” In fact, it’s become such a staple in motivational speeches and LinkedIn catchphrases that you’d think it held the secret to unlocking the gates of your wildest ambitions. The logic? Project confidence, and maybe, just maybe, the universe (or your boss) will be fooled into believing you’re a genius.
Sure, it can help you push past self-doubt. But here’s the big catch: once you get in the door, you can’t keep waltzing around on an empty resumé (or with an empty head). Eventually, you’ll need actual, valuable skills — either that, or risk letting everyone realize you didn’t know what you were talking about in the first place.
A Tale of Overinflated Egos
Imagine you’re on a plane and the pilot’s microphone crackles to life. “Hello, passengers,” he says. “I’m going to be frank with you: I have no clue how to fly this thing, but hey, I watched a couple of YouTube tutorials last night, so let’s go for it.” At that point, wouldn’t you rather bail out before the wheels leave the runway?
Granted, that scenario’s a bit dramatic. But the same principle applies — be it in your career, business, or personal life. “Faking it” might open a window of opportunity; but to climb through it, you need actual know-how or you’ll crash face-first into the glass.
Metaphor 1: The Costume That Doesn’t Fit
When you start a new job or try to break into a new skill, it can feel like you’re wearing a costume two sizes too big. You’re tripping over your own pants, trying to look cool in front of your new coworkers, while your sleeves keep dragging on the floor.
Faking it is basically you saying, “Hey, ignore the clumsy fit, the belt’s somewhere around my knees, but trust me, I can really rock this outfit.” It’s okay to feel that way for a brief moment — everyone needs training wheels at the beginning. The real problem comes when we refuse to learn how to properly tailor that costume, so we can walk around (and work) with genuine confidence.
Embarrassing Anecdote #1: The “Expert” Who Couldn’t Explain
A friend of mine once boasted on her resume that she was an “expert copywriter.” In truth, she had a decent knack for witty Twitter captions, but had never written anything longer than a paragraph. One day, during a client pitch, they asked, “So, can you walk us through your strategic approach to brand storytelling?”
She blinked like a deer caught in headlights, muttered something about “the synergy between brand voice and creative brainstorming,” and then froze. The room got so quiet you could hear hearts sinking. Her incomplete knowledge was painfully exposed. The moral? Know your fundamentals — or you’ll look as convincing as a raccoon in a people costume.
Metaphor 2: Training Wheels on a Bicycle
Yes, “fake it till you make it” can be like training wheels when you’re learning to ride a bike — it helps you get on without tipping over instantly. But guess what? Nobody wins the Tour de France with training wheels still attached. Eventually, you have to build the balance and skill to pedal on your own.
If your plan is to end up at the peak of your field, you can’t keep rolling up to the start line with your neon-orange safety wheels on. Sooner or later, someone’s going to notice the squeaking.
Embarrassing Anecdote #2: The Overnight “Chef”
Another acquaintance of mine once tried to impress his in-laws by claiming he was a gourmet cook. He’d skimmed a couple of fancy recipe blogs and figured how hard could it be? Let’s say the results involved undercooked chicken (cue salmonella warnings), a side of oversalted vegetables, and what can only be described as “lava cake from outer space.”
He spent the rest of the night apologizing and ordering pizzas. Needless to say, his “fake it” approach flopped. A little humility and a few YouTube cooking tutorials before the dinner might have saved the day — and his dignity.
The Turning Point: Time to Learn (No More Faking)
To avoid these cringe-worthy scenarios, acknowledge that “faking it” isn’t some magical golden ticket to success. It’s more like an icebreaker — good for initial confidence, but not sustainable. Instead, focus on:
- Learning the Skills — Take courses, read books, find mentors. Skill-building is the foundation of real confidence.
- Seeking Feedback — Ask for help early on, before you’re in over your head. Constructive criticism is your best friend.
- Embracing Humility — Admit when you’re new or unsure. People respect honesty, and they’ll be more inclined to help you grow.
So, yes, “Fake it till you make it” might be the catchphrase that gets you out of bed in the morning.
Use it for that initial push, if you must — sometimes we all need that little boost to get over the hurdle of self-doubt. But remember: the higher you climb, the more cracks in your facade will show if you haven’t built the real competencies behind it.
In short, be the pilot who actually knows how to take off and land. Because while it’s perfectly okay to start in over your head (we’ve all been there), it’s not okay to stay there — especially when you can learn the ropes and thrive for real. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll be the pilot expertly guiding the rest of us into the sunset. Or at least serving up dinner without a salmonella scare.
So let’s do the work. Let’s get the knowledge, experience, and expertise we need. Because faking it might let you pass the first few checkpoints — but to finish the marathon (and avoid any hilarious, meme-worthy crashes), you’ll need to make it for real.