One of the first bits and most important bits of advice in
my early career came from a successful author who told me it had been the key
to his success. He told me to “fake it til I made it.” Even from his first
book, he never let himself get caught in the trap of believing he hadn’t earned
the attention and readership yet. It was really great advice, and it kept me
from devaluing my own work even during times of struggle.
However, what he didn’t realize was that he was giving me a
mantra to get through every other day of my life, too.
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Pulling my hair out? Of course not! I'm just really,
really happy that it's Monday. Riiiiiight..... |
And it starts with each and every Monday morning. I wake up
like I’m pretty sure most everyone else does – with a cold pit of existential
dread in my belly and anger at the world for allowing Monday mornings to even
be a thing – and then I start getting into character. It started out as a kind
of game while I was putting on my make-up. With each bit I applied, I pretended
I was putting on a mask that was happy and smiling and cheery (you know, me
after like 5 cups of coffee). By the time I was finished with the
transformation I found I was*gasp* actually looking forward to the day and anything it could bring.
Sure, I still started out groaning and incoherent, but by the time I got to the
office I was the happy morning person that everyone loves to hate. And I meant
it!
After a while of such success with faking myself into making
it, the process started even earlier in the morning for me. Now in my head I was becoming that TV character who
wakes up with a stretch and a smile and perfect hair and eyeliner still intact.
True, that only works until I see the mirror, but by that point I already feel better.
And, after all, isn’t feeling better the whole point? Here
are some other ways I’ve tricked my brain into not cowering in the dark space
between snoozes:
- Picking a goal that actually excites me to start on first in
the morning.
- Forget worrying about the lengthy to-do list that I didn’t
finish before bed. Instead, take stock of my accomplishments during the day and
let myself feel some satisfaction for a job well done.
- I treat myself! I deserve a treat for getting out of bed, right? So
I can look forward to whatever special diet-breaking treat I allow myself first
thing in the morning. Here lately that’s been a Hansen Pomegranate Soda. Yum!
What kinds of motivators do you use to help you fake it til
you make it?
