Fake It ‘Til You Make It: Embracing AI, Authenticity, and the Journey of Growth

 

Interstellar 2014

Fake It ‘Til You Make It: Embracing AI, Authenticity, and the Journey of Growth

It’s a phrase we’ve all heard before: Fake it ‘til you make it. Cliché, right? But hidden in that cliché is a quiet truth we often overlook: everyone starts unsure, afraid, and uncertain. Most of the time, we don’t feel ready. And sometimes, the only way to move forward is by pretending we know what we’re doing—until we actually do.

At First, It’s About Showing Up

It’s not about pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about becoming someone you’re not yet. If faking it gives you the courage to show up, to try, to learn—then fake it. Do it. Because the act of doing builds momentum. And momentum creates growth.

The difference now? We’re living in a world where technology—especially AI—can support us as we step into the unknown.

AI Isn’t the Threat—It’s the Assist

AI is evolving. And it’s changing the game. Whether you’re writing, designing, managing, or building something from scratch, AI helps fill in the gaps when your confidence is low or your skills are still in progress. But here’s what matters: you still have to start.

AI doesn’t do the work for you. It doesn’t magically replace effort. It amplifies it.

Using AI isn’t cheating. It’s no different than using a calculator, a washing machine, or Grammarly. These tools don’t replace your ability—they enhance it.

So if AI can help you create better, learn faster, and reach farther—why wouldn’t you let it?

Authenticity Isn’t Perfection

You might wonder, “Is it really me if AI helps me?” But think about this: was it ever about doing it alone?

Authenticity doesn’t mean you never get help. It means you’re still the one making the call. You’re the one writing, choosing, editing, deciding. You’re not faking your way to success. You’re fighting for it—step by step—with tools, support, and stubborn self-belief.

Let’s be honest: the only person you might be deceiving is that old version of you—the one who thought everything had to be perfect before it was shared with the world.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.

The Human Touch Can’t Be Replaced

AI doesn’t feel. It doesn’t dream. It doesn’t fear, fail, or rise again.

You do.

That messy, raw, uncomfortable process of growth? That’s the part AI can never replicate. The joy of building something with your own hands, of putting your ideas into the world, of growing in confidence and clarity—that's the magic. That’s your power.

So let’s ask something important: What if AI disappeared tomorrow?

Would you still write? Would you still share? Would you still build?

If the answer is yes, then you already know the truth: AI is a tool. You are the creator.

Your Effort Is What Matters

There’s no shame in needing help. There’s no shame in not being perfect. What matters is that you show up with a willingness to grow and the courage to keep going—even if that means leaning on tools along the way.

But don’t hide behind AI. Don’t let it become a mask for laziness or avoidance. Let it be a launchpad, not a hiding place.

Because the more you try, the more you learn. The more you create, the clearer your voice becomes. The more you show up—even imperfectly—the more real your growth feels.

My Story: From “Not Good Enough” to Getting Better Every Day

Two years ago, I could barely write a paragraph in English.

My first language is Filipino, and I struggled to express myself in a language that wasn’t my own. I hesitated, second-guessed, rewrote the same sentences again and again. And then, I found AI.

I started using it not to replace my voice, but to find it. To help me turn thoughts into words, to gain confidence, to refine my writing. And even now—when my grammar still slips or my wording feels off—I’m proud.

Because I didn’t wait to be perfect.
I started.
And I’m still here.
And I’m still growing.

The Real Journey Is Within You

So yes—fake it if you must. Use the tools. Get the support. But don’t stop there.

Keep learning. Keep creating. Keep showing up as someone who is willing to be a beginner in public. Because that’s what bravery looks like.

You are not defined by AI. You are defined by your commitment to growth.

And that’s something no machine can replicate.

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