Practice consistently
Fake it ’til you make it?
Copy! Copy! Copy!
If you are a close friend, you would be shocked that I have an article titled “Fake it ’til you make it”
Why? — because I don’t like it, my perspective of this statement is that it causes more harm than good.
Austin Kleon in his book titled “Steal like an Artist” defined this statement as;
1. Pretend to be something you’re not until you are— fake it until you’re successful, until everybody sees you the way you want them to; or
2. Pretend to be making something until you actually make something.
Reading the above definitions further strengthened my lack of interest in it. I have a problem with “faking it” — maybe a more appropriate word would have made it sound better in my ears.
However, whilst I continued reading, I saw the statement in a different light — Interpretation matters, I guess.
Austin further explained it as “how you have to dress for the job you want, not the job you have, and you have to start doing the work you want to be doing — of which I totally agree.”
When I was job hunting last year, I dressed as if I already worked at the places I was applying to. I did thorough research on the hospitals, ministers, and commissioners of health, as if I were already an employee. It was at this point that I realized the saying, "fake it until you make it" made sense in this context.
Coincidentally, earlier today — I stumbled on singers Shuba and Scotthoying doing a duet on singing the alphabets which I absolutely love. The texture of their voices, riffs, and runs endeared me and I wish I could sing like them.
Then, I watched Shuba’s YouTube channel and learned how she started singing. Her mother advised her to practice singing by breaking down each line and practicing it the exact way the original singer sang it. Shuba also mentioned that she dedicated two hours every day to singing in her parent’s basement.
My reaction to this information was — wow! Amazing, I have found a way to have my wish of singing beautifully come through.
Lol, here’s a little PS to everyone who laughed at my off-singing melodies that I’m coming for y’all!
Back to Fake it ’til you make it…
Having understood Austin’s Interpretation and how Shuba’s singing journey, Fake it ’til you make it — made sense.
Maybe we can substitute “Fake” with “Practice” — Practice it til you make it! sounds better?
Wrapping up
Whether you are for “Fake it ’til you make it” or for mine — ”Practice it ’til you make it”, you must continuously do something till you break through.
My post on “Success is an action word” emphasized the importance of working through the process and consistently taking the necessary steps towards achieving your dreams.
To make it, you have to DO something — Fake it or better still, Practice! Start! Show up!
Disclaimer: I still maintain that the word “fake it” causes more harm than good. Lol, it is what is!
If you enjoyed this, please share, clap and comment. I will be looking forward to your reactions.
Yours in Writing,
Christie Kate.
