I spent years surviving on minimum wage jobs.

Started my own business in 2003. Haven’t had a boss since. Achieved financial independence at age 40, four years ago.

I’m glad I worked that fast food, minimum wage job. It taught me some things.

It taught this autistic person, through incontrovertible evidence, that putting on a fake smile causes positive reactions in customers.

I learned to smile even when I didn’t feel like smiling. It made other people feel better. Sometimes, just sometimes, it even made me feel better.

Sometimes you have to fake it ’til you make it. That’s true in business, mental health and relationships. Of course there are limits. You can’t fake everything or even most things. Your body and soul won’t let you.

But let me be clear, because I want to make sure someone tells you the truth.

If you are not willing to fake it ’til you make it, then you are not willing to make it at all.

Sometimes you just need fake that smile.