What does it mean to fake being happy? I went through many years of my life faking being happy.

An employee of mine used to say I was the happiest guy he knew. I always seemed to have a smile on my face. Whenever he asked me how I was doing, I would beam back enthusiastically “Fantastic” or “Super.”

I said the same thing to others in the midst of very difficult times for the company and me personally. During the lawsuit and near bankruptcy, I tried to keep smiling. I always tried to have a great attitude, say pleasant things and be cheery.

But was I happy? Most of that time no. I was miserable. I’ve always struggled with depression and anxiety, but I was especially affected during the lawsuit. Much of my day was filled with thoughts of self-doubt and worry.

A smile is a simple outward expression. When I smiled and said I was doing “Fantastic,” I really wanted to be. I hoped that acting happy would bring me closer to being happy. And I was happy at that moment. I wasn’t smiling and saying nice things to make someone else happy; I was trying to make myself happy. I was fooling myself into thinking that I was happy. A form of self-hypnosis; and for that moment, I was happy.

I would fake being happy at other times throughout the day as well. Particularly first thing in the morning when I would put on a big goofy grin and just go through my morning routine. It was a little game I played with myself when I was especially down. It allowed me to get a break from the negative thoughts and feelings that occupied many of my waking hours.

At that time in my life, I had not yet come to realize how powerful my thoughts and beliefs were to my happiness. I just knew that a little break was better than nothing.

We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘Fake it until you make it.’ It’s accurate and very helpful. If you fake it and believe it, it is even more powerful.