The catchy phrase Fake It Till You Make It is “an English aphorism which suggests that by imitating confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset, a person can realize those qualities in their real life.”1
Like most cliches or slogans, there’s more than a grain of truth in this one. Luminaries, as diverse as William James and Alfred Adler – not to mention New Thought philosophers like Rhonda Byrne – have expressed their own variations of this oft-quoted expression.
When it comes to exploring this principle, I prefer the tricks and perspectives learned from rigorous studies in neuroscience to flesh out the truth. No one is an advocate of hypocrisy, fake news, or blatant self-deception. But in some cases, a few psychological “white lies” (to oneself or others) can accomplish a miraculous change in mood or behavior. In other words, enlightened deception can lead to higher truths and realistic goals.
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