To consciously cultivate an attitude, feeling, or perception of competence that you don’t currently have by pretending you do until it comes true.

Beyonce created Sasha Fierce as an alter ego to ease any jitters before going on stage. David Bowe was Ziggy Stardust. But is it really pretending? Or is it stepping forward unapologetically as the person willing to try without fear of failing?

I have used this phrase as a mantra for years to get me past the fear of trying something new. I love to try new things NOW but I didn’t always. You see, my passion is health, wellness and all things fitness and I knew with my whole being that I wanted to create an impact on the health of others and cast a vision for the limitless potential that you have when you make the decision to get out of your own way and make your health a priority. My “why” to get started was greater than my “why” to stand still.

My idea was that I would just “pretend” to look like I knew what I was doing until I felt confident enough to attach “fitness instructor” to the end of my name. But pretending feels like I’m putting forth something I’m not. I realize now, I was putting my best self forward in the best way I knew how. Did I practice? You bet I did. Did I mess up despite practicing? More times than I can count. Has it been worth it? Absolutely. When I kept pushing forward, my confidence elevated my abilities.

Do you know the difference between those that “fake it” and those that have made it, especially when it comes to starting a health journey? It’s in the skills that they learn along the way. It’s in the habits they put in place to support their goals and not sabotage them. It’s in the planning and the non-negotiables they set to hit their goal. It’s in the support, the development and personal growth so that “ faking it” is no longer an option.

Listen, growth does not happen when we stay in our comfort zones. So when you are ready to step outside of that, cultivate the attitude, understand that you’ll mess up occasionally but choose to show up as your most authentic self. No one likes a fake anyway.