Fake it till You Make it?

“Fake it till you make it.” Sounds cute, right? Like wearing red lipstick when you feel drab or standing in a “power pose” before an interview. Confidence is a tool, and sometimes you have to borrow it before you truly own it. That’s normal, healthy even. After all, everyone who’s ever started a new career has stood in front of the mirror, pep-talking themselves like a motivational speaker in fuzzy socks.

But here’s the catch: there’s a Grand Canyon of difference between “projecting confidence” and “committing fraud.” Spoiler alert—fraud is not just a confidence trick gone too far; it’s a crime.

The Good Kind of Faking It

Confidence helps you:

• Introduce yourself like you belong at the table (because you do).

• Try something new before you feel 100% ready (because nobody ever feels 100% ready).

• Build momentum toward your goals (because success rarely comes from waiting until conditions are perfect).

That’s the “fake it till you make it” people are talking about. Pretend you’re comfortable until you become comfortable. Pretend you’re capable until your skills catch up. Nothing shady here.

The Line You Don’t Cross

But—and it’s a very big but—pretending to have credentials you haven’t earned is not confidence, it’s deception. If you’re introducing yourself as “certified” in something when you’re not, you’ve wandered out of “fake it till you make it” territory and straight into “hello, legal consequences” land.

It’s not just a fib; it’s fraud. Why? Because certification means you’ve completed actual training, passed assessments, and earned the right to use that title. Skipping the process and still claiming the badge is like showing up to the Olympics with a gold medal you bought on eBay. Except in real life, people don’t just laugh—they press charges.

When Fraud Becomes a Federal Problem

Here’s where it gets even juicier. Let’s say you claim to be certified and then bill Medicaid or private insurance under that false pretense. Congratulations—you’ve now stepped into federal offense territory. That’s health care fraud, punishable by fines, loss of licensure (if you had any), and yes, sometimes even jail.

In other words, “fake it till you make it” does not apply to government paperwork. Uncle Sam has zero chill about insurance fraud.

Bottom Line

Confidence? Necessary.

Fraud? Felony.

So by all means, strut into your goals with a little extra bravado. Fake confidence, fake composure, fake knowing what to do with your hands during awkward networking events—that’s fine. But do not, under any circumstances, fake certification, licensure, or credentials.

Because the only thing worse than feeling like an imposter is actually being one—and explaining it to a judge.