Becoming is Better Than Being: How to Fake It Till You Make It (and Win)

So, you’re staring at that job posting, asking yourself, “Am I good enough?” Spoiler alert: You probably aren’t—yet. But guess what? Nobody is. Not the CEO. Not the perfect candidate. Nobody walks in knowing it all.

That’s exactly why you’re in the sweet spot. Only two kinds of people never doubt themselves: the clueless and the unambitious. You? You’re neither.

The people who win aren’t the ones with all the answers. They’re the ones who show up, act like they belong, and figure it out as they go—aka those who fake it till they make it.

I know this because I’ve seen it. With a background in psychology and five years as a recruiter, I’ve watched countless candidates land dream jobs despite their doubts. I’ve seen mindset turn underdogs into success stories. And I’ve learned from street kids during my thesis—kids with nothing but grit and imagination who turned the impossible into reality.

This isn’t just about landing a job. It’s about believing in yourself enough to grow into the role you want. Ready to shift your mindset? Let’s go.

1. Why Are You Selling Yourself Short? Here is how Confidence Changes Everything

What’s really holding you back isn’t your skills—it’s your confidence. Confidence isn’t about knowing it all or overpromising; it’s about showing up. It’s action, not perfection. Momentum, not mastery. ?It’s about convincing others—and most importantly, yourself—that you’ll figure it out.

As The Confidence Code puts it: "Confidence is the stuff that turns thoughts into action."

Confidence grabs attention. It builds trust and shows hiring managers you’re ready to perform—even if you need to learn on the job. But here’s what drives me nuts: watching brilliant candidates miss opportunities—not because they lacked skills, but because they doubted themselves.

Then comes someone with half the experience but twice the confidence. They speak clearly, make eye contact, and act like they belong. And guess what? They get the job. Every. Single. Time.

Here’s a little insider secret: Hiring managers aren’t just looking for a perfect resume—they’re looking for someone who believes they can do the job.

Takeaway:

• Confidence is a muscle. Start building it today
• Speak like you’re already the best choice—because you are.
• Stop apologizing for what you don’t know; show what you do know.
• Practice small acts of confidence: clear speech, eye contact, and backing yourself even when you’re nervous.
• Treat every challenge as an opportunity to prove yourself.

Self-doubt never leads to victory—confidence does. Still skeptical? Fine. You have two choices: stay invisible or step up.

This time, try something new. Apply for that dream job you think is out of reach, and show up as the confident version of yourself.

Maybe you won’t get it, but confidence changes the game. It opens doors you didn’t know existed. Once you feel the power of owning the room, you’ll never play small again.

Now, let’s talk about the art of faking it—not pretending, but practicing who you’re becoming.

2. Everything is Fake Before It’s Real

Let’s be honest: we’re all faking something. Do you think confidence is 100% authentic? Please. It’s practiced. Rehearsed. Polished until it looks natural—just like everything else we do in life.

Think of a toddler in a cape. When they stand on a chair and declare themselves a superhero, they’re not saving the world. But they believe it, fully and unapologetically. They’re practicing being bigger, bolder, better.

Now think about your own career. That polished LinkedIn profile? That confident nod in meetings? Those are your cape moments. Confidence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about practicing until it feels natural.

Faking it isn’t lying. It’s building a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. It’s how you practice being someone better until, one day, it’s just you.

a) You’re Not an Imposter; You’re a Learner

Let me tell you something: Imposter syndrome isn’t real. It’s just your brain reacting to unfamiliar territory. Like the first time you try anything, it’s awkward—you make an educated guess, test it, and figure it out along the way. That’s how learning works.

The next time you catch yourself thinking, “I’m a fraud,” reframe it: I’m not an imposter; I’m a learner. This simple shift helps you embrace a growth mindset, where every challenge becomes a stepping stone toward mastery.

Trust me, I’ve been there. When I transitioned from recruiting in tech to hospitality, I didn’t know the difference between a concierge and a ma?tre d’h?tel. I couldn’t even pronounce sommelier. Did I tell my boss, “I have no idea what I’m doing”? Hell no.

I wasn’t an imposter—I was just new. I leaned on my core skills—communication, adaptability, and curiosity—to ask the right questions and learn from candidates by framing my gaps as interview questions. That was all I needed to get started.

Here’s the thing: Skills don’t come with industry labels. They’re transferable, and you can adapt them to any new challenge.

And those “perfect” people you admire? They’re winging it, too. That’s what everyone does. Even CEOs Google their way through meetings.

Stop labeling yourself a fraud. Trust yourself to figure it out—because that’s exactly what you’re supposed to do.

Takeaway:

• Reframe imposter syndrome: You’re not a fraud; you’re learning.
• Trust your ability to adapt—every expert started as a beginner.
• Curiosity is your greatest tool for growth.

b) Focus on what You Have, Not What You Lack

When I studied resilience for my psychology thesis, I met a street kid who dreamed of being a drummer. He didn’t have a drum—but he didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself. Instead, he grabbed some trash, crafted a makeshift drum, and practiced every day.

Why? To build muscle memory so that when he finally got his dream drum kit, he’d be ready. Imagination? Check. Action? Check. Results? Check.

That’s the playbook: take action until the fake becomes real.

This kid didn’t focus on what he didn’t have—he used what he did. That’s grit. Success isn’t about waiting for perfect circumstances; it’s about showing up and doing what you can with what you’ve got.

Here’s the part that stuck with me: his resilience came from gratitude. These kids didn’t take anything for granted. For them, every day was a chance to win, no matter how small the victory.

Think about it—are you so different? Did you need fancy shoes to learn to walk? No. You stumbled barefoot, fell, and got back up. That’s resilience: failing, trying again, and eventually succeeding.

The same principle applies to your career. Gratitude builds momentum. Each small win—no matter how insignificant it seems—stacks up, creating a winner’s mentality. It’s not about starting perfectly; it’s about starting.

Takeaway:

• You’ve been “faking it” since you were a kid—and look how far it’s taken you.
• There’s no such thing as perfect conditions: Use what you have and your imagination to bridge the gap.
• Build muscle memory by taking action—it’s the only way the fake becomes real.
• Resilience is rooted in gratitude. Focus on what you have, appreciate small wins, and keep moving forward.

c) Stop Limiting Yourself—The World is Already Doing That.

People have no trouble convincing themselves they’re too old, too young, too inexperienced, too that, too this, or simply not the right fit. They list their limitations like it’s an Olympic sport. But when it comes to imagining their potential—the future version of themselves who could crush it? Crickets.

As if it was not enough, Society adds another layer by labeling us into boxes but guess what? Those labels? They’re all arbitrary bullshit.

Believing in limits and believing in potential are two sides of the same coin. One holds you back, the other pushes you forward. Why keep choosing the belief that keeps you small?

The same energy you use to doubt yourself can be redirected to betting on yourself.

Take a moment to Think about how far you’ve already come. You didn’t start with all the answers, but you learned, adapted, and made it work. You’ve been “becoming” your whole life.

Now it’s time to see yourself as someone who can handle what comes next. No one will give you permission to succeed—you have to take it.

When I started my landscape business on the side, I had zero experience. No degree. I didn’t even know how to plant a tree, much less about hardscaping. But when my friend asked me to partner on the idea, I believed I could become successful with it.?

Then came the day I had to handle a client solo. Did I have all the answers? Absolutely not. But I believed in my ability to show up and it was enough to get me through. And yes, our business is still running to this day.?

Takeaway:

• Society will try to box you in—don’t let it. Break free and define yourself.
• Belief is a tool. Use it wisely.?
• The same energy spent doubting can be used to grow.
• No one will give you permission to succeed. You have to take it.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign, let this newsletter be it. I hope it’s shifted your mindset just enough to inspire you to take that first action—today, right now, no matter how small.

Fake it till you make it is about stepping up and owning your potential. It’s about believing in the version of yourself you’re building and aligning your actions with that vision.

As Napoleon Hill said: “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

Your Next Step: What’s It Gonna Be?

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need all the answers. You just need to start becoming. That’s how real people win—by taking action and figuring it out along the way.

You’ve been faking it since you were a kid—and look where it’s gotten you. Now take that same energy and apply it with purpose. Fake it boldly, fake it proudly, until the gap between who you are and who you want to be disappears.

You’ve got two paths:

• Stay in your comfort zone, stuck in self-doubt.
• Take the leap, fake it with confidence, and grow into the person you’re meant to be.

If a street kid with a trash drum can build a dream, what’s stopping you? The world isn’t waiting, and neither should you.

?? Your Move: Take one bold step today. Apply for that job, start that project, or step into the room like you already belong. Let this be your sign.

?? What’s one action you’ll take today to start owning your potential? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your plans and cheer you on!

?? Job Vacancies Ready to turn this mindset into action? Check out our latest job openings designed to help you thrive in Bali’s professional world: Explore Opportunities Here

?? Stay Connected Don’t miss the next edition—subscribe and grow with us! Let’s keep building confidence and careers together.

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