We all aspire
to be successful, be happy always, or project confidence and put our best foot
forwards…each one of us wants to be a person of sterling qualities. But, this
is not always so. Not everybody is successful, our definitions of happiness
vary and confidence often takes a long time to develop. So, if I am none of the
above, then how can I be what I am not?
There is
saying “Fake it till you make it”, it suggests that by imitating confidence,
competence, and an optimistic mindset, a person can realize those qualities in
their real life. It is similar in meaning to the idiom “act as if” (Wikipedia).
Here are some ways how you can do it:
·
If you want
to feel happy, practice faking a smile. Hold a pen in your mouth and force a
smile. This is what happy people do.
·
Adopt power
postures, even when you don't feel so confident. Compared to a
low-power pose (sitting hunched over with
arms and legs crossed), a high-power pose (expansive posture) has been
shown to be associated with increase in testosterone and decrease in the levels
of the stress hormone cortisol. Testosterone is related to dominance and
confidence.
·
Join a
laughter club.
·
Dress the
part. How you dress will affect how others see you. Clothes make a strong
visual statement about your self-image.
·
Model
yourself after a person who is successful. Mimic their actions.
Faking it
does not mean that you should be insincere. Behaving like the person you want
to become is an effective way to positively change your life.
“Fake till
you become it. Do it enough until you actually become it and
internalize.”
Whatever you
do, practice it over a period of time (japa), till it is
deeply etched in your consciousness.
“As one
thinks, so he becomes”. The human mind is very powerful and has unlimited potential. It can
influence behavior. Repeated actions change to habits, which ultimately shape
your personality.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma
Shri Awardee
President
Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and
Oceania
(CMAAO)
Group
Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President
Heart Care Foundation of India
Immediate Past National President IMA
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