We grew up with this idiom in the back of our minds. It's what people yelled at us in gym when we didn't want to run the extra lap.  It's what people told us when we had to spend time somewhere we didn't want. It's what we were told when our spirits crashed and we didn't think we could push through. 

It's supposed to be a helpful phrase, but I always felt skeptical whenever it was said.  How can there be anything genuine about 'faking it'?  What good is making it? In a way, the phrase aimed at breaking down negative attitudes only contributes to them. Make it through, and then you can go home. There's nothing lasting about it. Just put on a smile and get through it. 

But how does that apply to our lives when we're studying, working, or we're just trying to get through the day? Faking it 'til you make it doesn't build good study skills.  It doesn't improve your office relations.  It doesn't give you the optimism to get through the day, and the next day, and the next.  It just... gets you by.

Which is when I realized that maybe we've been saying it wrong all along.  Maybe just changing one simple word can change your whole outlook.

It changed mine.

Read more...