Don’t Fake It Till You Make It. Face It Until You Make It.

“Fake it till you make it.” It’s advice many of us have heard; and maybe even followed. My mom used to say it all the time. For her, it was a way of encouraging confidence and pushing through difficult moments when the odds felt stacked against you. And while there’s some merit in that approach, I’ve come to realize it’s not the best path forward.

Faking it might get you through a situation temporarily, but it doesn’t build anything lasting. It’s like trying to balance on a shaky ladder. You might stay upright for a while, but sooner or later, it’ll collapse. For a Motivated Savage, the real strength comes from facing your challenges, not pretending they don’t exist.


The Problem with Faking It

The biggest flaw with “fake it till you make it” is that it focuses on appearances rather than substance. When you fake it, you’re prioritizing looking the part over actually learning and growing into it.

Here’s why that’s a problem:

1. It Creates Pressure to Be Perfect: Faking it can make you feel like you have to constantly keep up a facade. That’s exhausting, and it prevents you from addressing what’s really holding you back.


2. It Blocks Authentic Growth: True growth happens when you acknowledge your weaknesses and work to overcome them. Pretending you don’t have flaws only delays that process.


3. It Can Feel Hollow: Even if you “make it” while faking it, you’ll know deep down that it wasn’t built on solid ground.


Instead of faking confidence or competence, focus on building it step by step. That’s where the magic happens.


Why Facing It Works

Facing it means acknowledging your fears, insecurities, and shortcomings and doing the work to overcome them. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. And it’s what sets Motivated Savages apart.

Here’s why it works:

It Builds Resilience: When you face your challenges head-on, you prove to yourself that you can handle tough situations. That’s the foundation of true confidence.

It Fosters Authenticity: People respect honesty and vulnerability more than a polished facade. Facing your struggles makes you relatable and real.

It Creates Lasting Change: When you tackle a problem at its root, you don’t have to keep pretending. You grow, adapt, and move forward for good.


How to Face It

If you’ve been leaning on “fake it till you make it,” it’s time to try a different approach. Here’s how to start facing it instead:

1. Be Honest with Yourself: Identify what’s holding you back. Whether it’s a lack of skills, confidence, or support, acknowledging the problem is the first step.


2. Ask for Help: There’s no shame in reaching out to others. Whether it’s family, friends, or a mentor, leaning on others can provide the guidance and encouragement you need.


3. Do the Work: Confidence and competence come from action. Take small, consistent steps to improve, and you’ll start to see real progress.


4. Celebrate the Wins: Facing your challenges isn’t easy, so celebrate every milestone. Each step forward is proof that you’re growing stronger.



The Motivated Savage Mindset

For Motivated Savages, life is about more than just appearances. It’s about grit, authenticity, and doing the hard work to build a life you’re proud of. Facing your struggles instead of faking your way through them might be harder in the moment, but it’s worth it.

You don’t need to pretend to be anything you’re not. You’re already enough, and the path to success is carved through honesty and persistence. So, stop faking it. Face it. And watch how unstoppable you become.