FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT

#midlife blog crestingthehill.com.au

THE OFFICE MOTTO

The expression "fake it til you make it" was something I heard back in the days when I worked at a government call centre. Because it was the government, there were always changes to policy and new stuff popping up every day. It could all be a little daunting at times. Team coaching was a big part of the culture of the organization and this was a catch cry that our team was taught.

Too often we doubt ourselves and start second guessing our decisions. I know I am the worst example of this at times. I get enthused about something new and then start looking at all the reasons why it wouldn't work or why I shouldn't do it. Sometimes I just have to push those voices into the background and take a leap of faith.

COURAGE

Being brave is easy for some people and I admire those who have the courage to grab life with both hands and leap at new opportunities that come their way. Unfortunately I haven't felt like I was one of those people. I always seemed to choose the safe option and that meant that I missed out on things because the chance to act passed by before I'd given myself permission to be brave and just go for it. But that's not the case anymore!

No Regrets!

NEW CHALLENGES

No siree! Part of my midlife mantra now includes "no regrets!" - so far I've been brave enough to start a blogbrave enough to change jobs, brave enough to invest in my marriage when things looked dark, brave enough to let my children leave the nest and brave enough to embrace this next stage of life. I think that's a pretty good start for an ex-wilting wallflower! If I have to fake it til I make it, well that's okay too - at least I'm putting myself out there and having a go.

THE FUTURE

Nothing worthwhile in life comes without some effort and even some pain, that's what ultimately gives it value. Being brave enough to tackle new challenges means that I won't be missing out on opportunities that I've previously let get away from me. How exciting to think that there is more to learn and more to experience - I can't wait!


27 comments

  1. Hi Leanne, Great post! We simply cannot succeed if we don't even try! I love all the things you have been so brave to do!Way to go, girl!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Lori - I'm trying my darndest to make this decade one that I can look back on and see that I was brave and stepped out and tried new things when I had the chance - you won't see me skydiving or bungy jumping though!

      Delete
  2. As always even nailed it and I find myself nodding my head as I read. Nothing great in life comes without effort and often fear

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny how we know that Carla but we try to avoid putting ourselves in scary situations - yet they're the ones we grow from every time!

      Delete
  3. Love your no regrets mantra! That's awesome and really helps enjoy life and live in the moment :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much Julie - it's something I've been working on in my life :)

      Delete
  4. I love your posts! they always inspire to think about my life and try and be better. I have to admit I have always been one who lives without regrets because I have been fortunate enough to be able to do the things I want to do rather than wish I did things! Thanks for sharing #WAYWOW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are really blessed then Charlotte! I envy women who are that little bit younger than me - I'm sure you were encouraged to be confident and follow your dreams more than my generation was :)

      Delete
  5. I, too am a wilt-er. Husby, on the other hand . . . isn't. He has brought me many, many adventures. Wonderful. Scary. But always amazing. Without him, I'd probably revert back to wallflower-too-scared-to-do-anything. But maybe not. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Men are really good at this "bravery" thing - I'm not sure whether it's wired into them or just how they were brought up - I am often amazed at what my husband will try his hand at while I'm still figuring out the pros and cons!

      Delete
  6. It doesn't look like there's any faking it to me! You are living an empowered life. I think that as we get to this stage in life, we've hit some bumps, disappointments, and, maybe, even tragedies and now that we survived them, so it liberates us from fear of the unknown that holds us back in youth when recklessness and not knowing any better won't make us take a leap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that's a really good way of looking at it Regina - it's nice to see that getting older has another benefit to it. I am really working on that "empowered" thing!

      Delete
  7. You have come such a long way Leanne! I know next year you will go even further and I hope I get to see it! Happy Holidays! I'm taking off the rest of the year to work on a few things. See ya next year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Christmas Rena - I'll miss you over the next couple of weeks, but it will be 2016 before we know it and I'm excited already!!

      Delete
  8. Being brave was my goal for 2015, and I did pretty well during the first half. I need to re-evaluate for 2016! I am pretty good at faking it though, so there's hope :)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You had a bit of a spanner thrown into the works with your mum for the last half of the year Lana - so you're allowed to have a breather - then off into 2016 we go!

      Delete
  9. The first time you do it it's the hardest I think.. after that perhaps we realise just what we have been missing all along. Great post. Everyone needs to be brave at times, the bravest of all are the ones who admit it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that's really true - I sometimes wonder what I've missed because I over-thought things. Now I'm getting better at just jumping in and seeing what happens.

      Delete
  10. Hi Leanne another great post about midlife and how we can enjoy this wonderful phase of life. It is hard to be brave but when we are we see what is possible!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know Sue - but the braver you are the easier it gets! thanks for the encouragement :)

      Delete
  11. Leanne. I often read your posts and think our minds must be connected some how. This is what I tell people so much. Just go with your gut and if you sound confident enough, it will sound like you mean it. I'm a firm believer of this. I've often found myself in situations where I perhaps am out of my depth, but I find just going along with it, often ends in a really interesting event and you learn a lot too.

    Sally @ Life Loving
    #LifeLovingLinkie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I'd worked it out earlier Sally - it makes life so much more interesting when you're brave - good on you for discovering it much sooner than me!

      Delete
  12. Leanne, you have been through so many challenges in the last several years and you have faced them with a strength that is so admirable. I don't think that we aren't ever not afraid, but sometimes I find bravery in the fact that it scares me so much. If I wasn't scared then it didn't mean much to me. It still scares me to death though! I hope that when my time comes I will face it with as much grace as you have. Proud of you my friend!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much Nikki - I am a scaredy cat at heart but I'm learning to be braver - the younger generations seem to have courage in abundance. I'm aiming to take a leaf out of their book and not overthink things too much. I'm loving our blogging friendship too xx

      Delete
  13. This is something I need to integrate even more into my life. Thank you for the reminder. I will bookmark on pinterest to revisit and remind myself to be BRAVE.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love this~ Tried this type of philosophy to go to a blogging conference last weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Terrific post Leanne. You bring things up that makes people think. I love that about you Leanne. I hope you and your family have a lovely holiday! Enjoy that granddaughter!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.