Implement Until It's Routine

We have all heard the old adage 'fake it till you make it.' Somehow, it has become ingrained in our society, leading us to believe that if we pretend long enough, we will achieve our desired outcome. Marriage troubles? Pretend to be a good husband. Not seeing financial returns in business? Dress the part of a financially successful person. Difficulty fitting in with the popular crowd? Conform and assimilate. At first glance, this approach may seem effective. Essentially, we position ourselves where we want to be and create a persona that fits.

But does 'faking it till you make it' truly create real change? The answer is, it depends on what we are looking for. If we are searching for purpose and connectedness, this practice will likely not lead us there. When we pretend or create a persona that reflects the person we aspire to be, we skip important steps. In doing so, we risk losing sight of our true selves and what initially set us in motion. Behaving without clarity, we often end up with everything we ever wanted but still feel like something is lacking.

So, what alternative approach can we take that may be better? An approach that still guides us towards surface-level achievements while leaving us feeling fulfilled. I call this approach 'implement until it's routine.' The actions we take may appear similar at times, but the underlying process is different. Our goal is not simply to succeed; it is to understand why success is important to us, what it means personally, what drives us to succeed, and what success genuinely looks like.

By embarking on this introspective journey, we can establish a set of values—a system that empowers us to make autonomous decisions based on our unique definition of success and purpose. From there, we implement, implement, and implement some more. We make decisions that consistently align with our values, gradually turning success into a routine. In this way, we cannot skip essential steps. Living a successful life means staying aligned with our core values and implementing change accordingly.

So, the next time you feel tempted to 'fake it till you make it,' pause and consider what you truly value and why it matters to you. Then, implement those values until they become routine.