This phrase is widely used because it works! You can change your life simply by behaving as though the successes have already happened. If you pretend to have already achieved your goals, your positive behaviour will generate positive feelings, and those feelings then work backwards to further reinforce your positive behaviour.

The other way you can use the ‘fake it’ method is by visualising yourself following through on the behaviours you want to change. While it is not a substitute for action, it can help you to feel more confident. Run through the sequence of events in your mind as though everything will work perfectly.

For example, if you have to deliver a speech to a number of people and you feel anxious, imagine yourself delivering the presentation with confidence and receiving positive feedback afterwards. When you actually stand up to give the speech you will look and feel more confident.

I used to be quite shy about approaching strangers in crowded rooms. I admired those people who could walk in, find someone to talk to and start a conversation easily and seamlessly. Rather than resigning myself to the wall, I decided instead to pretend that I was confident and see what happened. A number of great conversations later, I knew there was nothing to worry about!

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