We all aspire to be successful, be happy always, or project confidence and put our best foot forwards…each one of us wants to be a person of sterling qualities. But, this is not always so. Not everybody is successful, our definitions of happiness vary and confidence often takes a long time to develop. So, if I am none of the above, then how can I be what I am not?

There is saying “Fake it till you make it”, it suggests that by imitating confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset, a person can realize those qualities in their real life. It is similar in meaning to the idiom “act as if” (Wikipedia).

Here are some ways how you can do it:

1. If you want to feel happy, practice faking a smile. Hold a pen in your mouth and force a smile. This is what happy people do.
2. Adopt power postures, even when you dont feel so confident. Compared to a low-power pose (sitting hunched over with arms and legs crossed), a high-power pose (expansive posture) has been shown to be associated with increase in testosterone and decrease in the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Testosterone is related to dominance and confidence.
3. Join a laughter club.
4. Dress the part. How you dress will affect how others see you. Clothes make a strong visual statement about your self-image.
5. Model yourself after a person who is successful. Mimic their actions.

Faking it does not mean that you should be insincere. Behaving like the person you want to become is an effective way to positively change your life.

“Fake till you become it. Do it enough until you actually become it and internalize.” 

Whatever you do, practice it over a period of time (japa), till it is deeply etched in your consciousness.

“As one thinks, so he becomes”. The human mind is very powerful and has unlimited potential. It can influence behavior. Repeated actions change to habits, which ultimately shape your personality.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA