Have you ever had an opportunity you were afraid to take because it was ‘just’ outside of your comfort zone? You talked with trusted friends and advisors and they all said “Fake it until you make it!” Even then you still felt uneasy taking the opportunity - you felt like an Imposter. 

So what is Faking it until you make it?

Experts call this the “acting as if” prescription in psychotherapy, which allows you to gain the confidence to be who you desire.

The “fake it till you make it” strategy is more about changing your behavior than fundamentally changing who you are.

“Fake it until You make it” is good advice, IF you go all in. 

The key to success in an opportunity outside of your comfort zone is choosing to believe that you will be successful one day. 

It is choosing to believe in your future self. You are confident that you can learn the skill and still provide value on the way there. You are not being in-authentic, you are choosing to become something greater than you are today. Choosing this is not the easy path.  

4C model by Dan Sullivan breaks down the “Fake it till you make it” concept into more practical, actionable steps. The 4C model consists of Commitment, Courage, Capability, and Confidence. 

Commitment: This stage is where we make the bold decision to chase after a goal or a dream, even if we don’t quite know how to get there yet.

Courage: Once we are committed, we must step out of the comfort zone and be OK with uncertainties. The more courageous steps you take, the easier it becomes!

Capability: As we begin making momentum towards our goals, we start picking up new skills and abilities. Our resilience and adaptability grow stronger with each challenge we face.

Confidence:. As our momentum grows, lessons learned, and skills added we can’t help but feel a surge of confidence. This newfound self-assurance boosts our commitment, empowering us to tackle even more significant challenges. And so, the cycle continues, each turn making us better versions of ourselves.

I challenge you to choose an opportunity outside of your comfort zone, believe in your future self and commit to “Fake it Until you make it”!