THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND THE “FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT” PHENOMENON
-by Unnati Sahni
Have you ever found yourself stepping into a situation where you didn’t feel ready, telling yourself, "I'll act like I belong here?” Maybe it was speaking up in a meeting giving a presentation, or even asking someone out. That’s the essence of “fake it till you make it.” At its heart, this concept isn’t about being deceptive—it’s about leveraging the mind-body connection to grow into the person you want to be. From a psychological point of view, this is effective because the human brain is amazingly adaptable. One theoretical framework that supports this notion is the self-perception theory, which argues that people often come to know their emotions through their behaviors. For instance, when a person smiles, even when in pain, the brain interprets the smile and starts to associate it with good feelings. The same principle applies to confidence—when you act confident, your brain interprets your actions as evidence that you are confident. Over time, this “pretend confidence” lays the groundwork for the real thing.
To illustrate the concept, consider an analogy. Envision yourself as a car engine during a frigid winter morning. Initially, the engine may struggle, exhibiting a delay in its operation. However, as one engages the accelerator and allows the engine to reach an optimal temperature, it subsequently operates more efficiently. Exhibiting confidence—despite feelings of anxiety—resembles the process of revving the engine. With continued practice, the operation becomes increasingly fluid, ultimately rendering the performance instinctual.
This aspect is also social in nature. Having confidence often means that others think of one as capable and competent, thus leading to a self-reinforcing feedback loop. Imagine walking into a room standing tall with your chin held high. People notice that attitude and respond in kind-that is, people become more trusting, respectful, or supportive. Such behavior in turn helps reinforce one's confidence, creating the ability to continue acting with confidence. Psychologists call this the Pygmalion effect: when you project confidence, others’ expectations of you rise, and you’re more likely to meet those expectations. (Rosenthal & Jacobson, 1968)
But “fake it till you make it” isn’t just about how others see you—it’s about personal growth. Psychologist Albert Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy is relevant here (Bandura, 1977). Bandura argued that confidence is built by experiencing small successes over time. Acting as though you believe in yourself allows you to take those crucial first steps. For example, if you’re terrified of public speaking, “faking it” by practicing a strong, calm delivery doesn’t make you a fraud—it gives you the opportunity to build real competence.
Of course, this doesn’t mean pretending to know everything or being disingenuous. Think of it more like stepping into a role you’re rehearsing for. Just as actors don’t walk onto the stage fully prepared on day one, you’re learning and growing into the version of yourself you aspire to be. The trick is pairing the “fake it” with genuine effort. If you’re applying for a leadership position, for example, act like a leader by speaking with confidence—but also back it up by learning the skills that make one a great leader.
The most practical method for tapping into this mentality is visualization. Most athletes use this as a means to envision winning at a race or sinking a free throw. Mental preparation through imagery readies the brain for the act of accomplishing a feat, thereby easing self-doubt. Second, a useful suggestion is paying attention to body language. According to studies, the way a person carries themselves—their posture, eye contact, and open use of body parts—both external audiences are convinced of one's confidence but so is the brain itself. It has nothing to do with being phony, though. It is about giving permission to be a work in progress. It has to do with the fact that confidence is something that can sometimes be cultivated instead of always being an innate feeling. You don't have to be 100 percent ready to take on something new. What counts is showing up, taking some shaky first steps, and trusting that the act of doing will eventually become the reality of being.
The "fake it till you make it" phenomenon is a courageous statement that we are not defined by our present limitations but by our determination to act in spite of them. It leverages the brain's remarkable ability to adapt, converting intentional action into real transformation. This is not about pretending; it's about bravery—deciding to show up, take risks, and relentlessly pursue development until the act becomes reality. Real confidence is not something we wait for; it's something we build through resilience, persistence, and an unshakeable faith in our capacity to change. It's a strong reminder that every step we take, however uncertain, lays the groundwork for the person we are destined to become.
REFERENCES:
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215.
Bem, D. J. (1972). Self-perception theory. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 6, pp. 1–62). Academic Press.
Rosenthal, R., & Jacobson, L. (1968). Pygmalion in the classroom: Teacher expectation and pupils' intellectual development. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Carney, D. R., Cuddy, A. J. C., & Yap, A. J. (2010). Power posing: Brief nonverbal displays affect neuroendocrine levels and risk tolerance. Psychological Science, 21(10), 1363–1368.
Fredrickson, B. L., & Branigan, C. (2005). Positive emotions broaden the scope of attention and thought-action repertoires. Cognition & Emotion, 19(3), 313–332.
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books.
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