Welcome back, it’s been a while.
The past few months have been packed. Between finals, launching new projects, and an absolutely unforgettable trip to Japan and Korea with my dad, I haven’t had the time to sit down and write. But now I’m back, currently writing this from Week 2 of the Brown Pre-College Program. And I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind for a while.
Let’s be honest: we’ve all felt like we’re pretending sometimes. Whether it’s walking into a room full of smart people, speaking in front of an audience, or taking on a leadership role you don’t quite feel “ready” for—there’s always that little voice saying, “What if I’m not actually good enough?”
But here’s the twist: that feeling isn’t a weakness. It’s part of the process.
I first confronted that voice at the Harvard Pre-College Program last summer. I was part of a public speaking course taught by Kate Clarke, the Head Preceptor of Public Speaking at Harvard. She’s one of those people who doesn’t just teach technique, she reshapes the way you think about yourself. One of the first things she told us was this: “Don’t fake it till you make it. Fake it till you become it.”
That stuck with me. It felt more honest. More sustainable. And as I kept working on my nonprofit (which was born from the confidence I built in her class) I kept hearing those words in my head.
The Science Behind the Phrase
Kate wasn’t just giving motivational fluff. This idea is backed by research. Amy Cuddy (yes, the TED Talk one) gave a powerful talk on how your body language and behavior don’t just influence how others see you—they influence how you see yourself. Her message? Fake it till you become it.
One thing both Kate and Amy emphasized was the power of posture. Kate introduced us to the concept of “power posing”—standing tall with your hands on your hips like Superman for a minute or two before something stressful. It sounds ridiculous, but studies show it can actually lower cortisol (your stress hormone) and increase confidence. I’ve tried it before speeches and interviews—it works (even if it feels very goofy).
Confidence, they argue, is something you can train into. By acting confident, even when you don’t feel it, you slowly start becoming the person you’re aiming to be.
What This Looks Like Now
As I said, I’m at the Brown Pre-College Program right now. Week 1 just wrapped up, and I’m currently in Week 2 of 3. I’m taking a course on memoir writing (which will probably become its own post soon), and the experience has been incredible so far. From stepping up in group discussions to connecting with people from around the world, I’ve had plenty of moments where I had to choose between shrinking back or showing up.
Every time I lead, speak up, or take initiative (even when it feels a bit intimidating) I remind myself: show up as the version of you that’s already ready. Act like the person you want to grow into. Eventually, you’ll stop acting.
Final Thoughts
“Fake it till you make it” might sound like you’re putting on a mask. But if you do it right, if you do it intentionally, it’s more like putting on a mindset. One that helps you grow into your own potential.
And sometimes, all it takes is a little push, a great teacher, or the right room to realize you were never really faking it to begin with.
Thanks for stopping by,
more soon.
—Filippo
Braunstorming 