Most of us walk around under the assumption that because other people may appear successful, they must have it all figured out. I feel that way too. I look at all of the inspirational people around me and feel like I'm somehow behind the eight ball.
I should be building career networks, gathering clients, traveling the world, working internships, producing short films, writing novels and regularly trending on social media. When I look around me, this is what I see, a world full of successful people who have it all figured out.
They are more clueless than you think.
You can argue that luck, or hard work, or connections have gotten these people to where they are today, but I've come to believe it's far more simple than that. Successful people take chances. They act like they know exactly what they're doing.
And sometimes, they fake it. It's as simple as that.
If you're passionate enough about something, you have to take a risk on it. You can't sit around waiting to gain work experience, you can't wander your way through courses and internships and expect it all to work out. You have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. You may think you're under qualified, you may be scared, and nervous and unsure, but that is when you have to take the leap.
Stop underestimating your own ability.
As cliche as it is to say it, you really can do whatever you put your mind to. The only way it will happen is if you stop worrying about everyone else's opinions and expectations. Just do what inspires you.
If you walk around thinking about your lack of experience and how new you are to something, everyone around you will be able to tell. If you fake confidence, if you pretend to know what you're doing, people will assume you actually do.
I've experienced this firsthand in the world of photography. Before this summer I had no professional experience in photography, I was only a girl who liked to shoot her friends. I interviewed for a position as a photographer for a summer camp.
I felt so under qualified.
I think my employers sensed this too and were a bit hesitant to hire me for the position. I got lucky, they took a chance on me anyway. At first I was nervous that they'd dislike my work, but now that I've had the chance to actually take photos, I think I surprised not only my supervisors, but myself as well.
While I may not have been sure of myself as I started the position, I just kept pretending that I knew what I was doing. Now I can confidently say I do know what I'm doing.
Fake it 'til you make it.
Seriously. It works.
