Fake It ‘Til You Make It: The Art of Building Confidence Through Courage

“Fake it ’til you make it” is a phrase we’ve all heard at some point. It’s about stepping into roles or situations where you’re not 100% sure of yourself but having the courage to push through until confidence naturally follows. In this blog post, I’m sharing my story about how I learned to juggle on horseback without knowing how to juggle. It’s a journey of taking risks, backing yourself, and finding the courage to keep going, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

Embracing the Courage to Start

I signed a contract to work on Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus to juggle on horseback before I even knew how to juggle. Let that sync in. Now, I was young, I was in my early 20’s and even though I didn’t know how to juggle, I did know a lot of other pieces that were of value to my learning. That’s the first key to faking it ’til you make it: embracing the courage to start, even if you don’t have everything figured out.

Finding Your Unique Advantage

Even if you lack specific skills, you likely have other strengths that can help you succeed. In my case, I had experience performing as a cheerleader and working with horses at Arabian Nights, so I knew I could handle being in front of an audience. If you’re considering a new venture, ask yourself: What unique advantage do I have that can help me succeed?

Learning and Growing Along the Way

Faking it ’til you make it isn’t about pretending to know everything; it’s about having the humility to learn and grow. I had a professional juggler who agreed to teach me, and I was determined to make the most of that opportunity. I spent hours every day practicing juggling, constantly improving, and fixing my mistakes.

Utilizing Available Resources

When you’re starting something new, it’s essential to tap into available resources. In my case, I had a mentor who could guide me, but I also had to hustle. I juggled everywhere—on my way to the barn, during show meetings, and even in my downtime. What resources do you have to learn and grow in your journey?

Backing Yourself Despite Doubts

No matter what you’re pursuing, there will be people who doubt you. Sometimes, those people are close to you, and other times, they’re strangers on the internet. In my case, one of my supposed mentors was the one tearing me down daily. But I had to find the courage to back myself, even when others didn’t believe in me.

Finding a Support System

Surrounding yourself with supportive people can make a world of difference. I found encouragement from other people on the show who wanted to see me win. It might be a mastermind group, a friend, or a significant other who encourages you to keep going. Who can be your support system as you navigate new challenges?

The Confidence Will Come

Confidence doesn’t always come immediately; it often follows courage and perseverance. Even the best performers didn’t start out as experts. They took risks, made mistakes, and grew over time. If you’re feeling unsure about starting something new, remember that everyone starts somewhere. The key is to have the courage to start and the commitment to keep improving.

Give Yourself Grace

Finally, give yourself grace. You’re not expected to be perfect from the start. Recognize that confidence takes time, and allow yourself to grow at your own pace. Have the courage to keep going, even when it gets hard.

Remember, there’s always someone less qualified doing what you want to do, but they had the courage to start. So, take a deep breath, embrace your inner courage, and take that leap. The confidence will come.