[Image credit: Stuart Miles]
I heard a counselor once explain that actions precede feelings. Which means you must follow through with an action before the hoped-for or expected emotion takes root. Put into practice, it may look like this: you’re invited to join a group of people at a party. You don’t want to go, but your best friend asks you to be her “date.” Not mentioning you’d rather stay home and wash the dog, you join your friend because it’s important to her. You have a decent time, however, so when you’re invited to hang out again, you agree more readily. During the next party, you relax a bit more and end up having a blast. You faked it until you made it. Sometimes it takes a while before the feelings catch up with the actions but, the more you practice, the easier it gets … until one day your actions and the resulting emotions are completely natural. At least that’s the plan.
Have you faked it until you made it?
Always The Write Time Blog 
Nov 29, 2013 @ 12:21:50
I’ve been struggling with this idea lately. We must be uncomfortable before we can gain confidence and comfort within a situation. No one likes to be uncomfortable but you just got to put on a brave face and go for it anyway. thanks for the reminder 🙂
Nov 29, 2013 @ 12:30:16
Stepping outside of our comfort zones really applies to so many different areas of our lives, doesn’t it? It can be a new job or relationship challenge. Or maybe just calling up an old friend we haven’t spoken to in years. When I was younger, my mom used to tell me that I would never know if I’d like it/enjoy myself unless I tried. Smart lady 😉