If you want to make progress, grow, and succeed in your career, then you need to be confident in your abilities and decision-making. If you can confidently tackle challenges, then you’ll move forward faster, learn more, and achieve your goals.
But here’s the hard truth: you can’t achieve this by faking it. Because the idea that everyone knows exactly what they’re doing is a myth. Most people are just figuring things out as they go along, and that’s perfectly fine. In fact, some of the best decisions come from just diving in and learning on the job.
Therefore, the real path to growth isn’t about pretending to know it all; it’s about embracing the unknown, taking action, and learning from the outcomes—whether they’re good, bad, or indifferent.
One-third of the decisions you make will be right, one-third will be wrong, and one-third won’t matter at all.
The reality of “just doing it”
We’re often told to “fake it till you make it,” but what if that’s not the best approach? Here’s a fresh perspective:
- Life is not about faking it; it’s about doing it. Everyone is navigating challenges without a perfect map. No one has all the answers.
- A helpful metric to keep in mind: If you’re a golfer, hitting one-third of your shots well is considered a success. Similarly, one-third of the decisions you make will be right, one-third will be wrong, and one-third won’t matter at all.
- The key takeaway? It’s not about getting everything right; it’s about showing up, making decisions, and learning from whatever happens next.
How to move forward without ‘faking it’
To thrive in this unpredictable journey called life, here’s what you can do:
- Embrace uncertainty: Accept that not every decision will be perfect. Sometimes, the best way forward is just to make a choice and see where it leads.
- Learn from mistakes: When a decision goes wrong (and it will), use it as a learning opportunity. Reflect on what didn’t work and adjust your approach.
- Focus on action, not perfection: You don’t need to pretend to be something you’re not. Instead, take consistent steps forward and adapt along the way.
Stop faking it and start doing it
The truth is, no one knows what they’re doing all the time—and that’s okay. The most successful people aren’t the ones who have all the answers; they’re the ones who keep moving, keep learning, and keep growing.
So, next time you feel the pressure to “fake it till you make it,” remember this: You don’t need to fake anything. Just do it. Take action, learn from your outcomes, and keep pushing forward.
👉 Want to improve your decision-making and leadership skills? Download our free guide to improving your 1-to-1s. It’s packed with practical tips on checking in, giving feedback, coaching, and planning for the future—everything you need to help you and your team thrive without needing to “fake” a thing.
The journey to success isn’t about pretending; it’s about progressing. So, what step will you take today?
