Breaking news, millennials: you don’t have to have it all figured out right this second. In fact, you don’t even need to have part of it figured out. Being a young person in 2017 is not necessarily simple. This world is dynamic, competitive, and sometimes suffocating for someone who is barely old enough to [legally] order a beer. Expectations are high, and the rivalry present in the workforce and relationship spheres oftentimes leaves us feeling overpowered. However, hope gleams right before you, because combatting the sense of overwhelmingness you may feel is feasible right f*%$#@g now. You simply need to use one of the all-time most supreme childhood skills to manifest an impenetrable armor of confidence: playing pretend.
If you’ve ever dealt with even a remotely challenging situation, whether it be personal or professional, you’ve likely heard the term “fake it until you make it.” At first glance this phrase may appear to be void of any real substance; the word “fake” in and of itself is notoriously associated with negative behavior. Contrary to the definition of “fake” that you’ve been accustomed to, the word will now become your silent partner, your accomplice in all endeavors relating to success. Now, it may seem that faking anything is just another version of lying to ourselves–after all, isn’t “fake” the antithesis of “real”? Maybe so, but here’s where the rub comes in: when you speak repeatedly to yourself in an uplifting manner, anything you believe will inherently become your reality. So, start telling yourself how fantastic your life is, how tremendous you are, and how glittery your future looks from afar. Fake it until you make it.
This technique is where fantasy and reality collide, thus making a harmonious melody so poignant that your mind will have no choice but to buy what you’re feeding it. In order for this maneuver to be successful, you must first carve out your “faux-path”. Eliminate self-deprecating thoughts and behaviors from both your mental channel vocabulary. If you’re in the process of losing weight, tell yourself every day that you’ve already obtained your goal weight. If you’re chasing a promotion, feel with every fiber of your being what it will be like once you’ve risen through the ranks. If it’s love you’re after, you must first shower yourself in gratitude, confidence, and devotion. Lie to yourself so marvelously that you have no option but to believe in the expertise. You must embody the spirit of a con artist so convincing that you bamboozle yourself into belief. This is one rare instance in life where manipulation can serve you well, so take advantage!
There’s a concrete reason why philosophers, scientists, and modern-day public speakers have all waxed poetic about the power of the mind for centuries: because it’s an effective tool to obtain what you desire. We live in a world where what you want is yours for the taking, if only you believe you’re destined for it. Live your life unabashedly, as if you’ve already obtained every level of prosperity you have ever wanted. Pretend to know what you’re doing so effortlessly and gracefully that your superiors regard you in the highest esteem. Mentally kick your own ass each day by embellishing your aspirations. After all, only you are responsible for bringing them to life.
Featured image via Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash
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