Being Delulu Is the Solulu: Why Being Delusional Might Be the Smartest Thing You Ever Do | Episode 027
Ever been told your dream was too crazy, too far-fetched, or too unrealistic? Whether it was starting a business, writing a book, or designing a completely different life than the one you were “supposed” to live, chances are you’ve felt the sting of someone else’s doubt. But what if the key to achieving that “impossible” dream is being just a little bit delusional?
This episode challenges the outdated idea of “fake it till you make it” and replaces it with something far more powerful: “believe it till you become it.” Here’s how adopting a slightly “delulu” mindset can transform your confidence, creativity, and success.
From Faking It to Visioning It
The episode starts by breaking down the difference between pretending and believing. “Fake it till you make it” comes from insecurity—it’s rooted in trying to convince others you’re capable. “Being delulu,” on the other hand, is rooted in vision. It’s the idea that you see your future so clearly that you begin aligning your actions, thoughts, and decisions with it long before it’s visible to anyone else.
Michelangelo captured this mindset perfectly when he said, “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block. I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” In other words, your dream already exists—you’re just uncovering it.
The Power of Unshakable Self-Belief
The first reason why being a little delusional works: it builds unshakable self-belief. Research shows that self-efficacy—the belief in your ability to succeed—is one of the strongest predictors of achievement. People who believe in themselves set higher goals, persist longer, and recover faster from setbacks.
The episode highlights examples like Elon Musk, who was ridiculed for believing he could build reusable rockets. After multiple failures, he persisted through near bankruptcy until SpaceX finally succeeded. Similarly, creators like MrBeast and Emma Chamberlain were dismissed early on, yet their relentless belief in their vision propelled them to global success.
The takeaway? Believing you can do something doesn’t just change your attitude—it changes your behavior. When you carry yourself like the kind of person who succeeds, you naturally act like it.
Why “Unrealistic” Vision Sparks Innovation
The second reason: every major breakthrough begins as an unrealistic idea. The Wright Brothers were mocked for believing humans could fly. Thomas Edison endured thousands of failed experiments before creating the light bulb. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a world that seemed impossible in his time—but his “delusional” vision sparked real progress.
The episode makes a simple but powerful point: if you only ever do what’s reasonable, you’ll never create anything revolutionary. A little delusion fuels innovation, courage, and the willingness to defy what’s expected.
Turning Delusion Into Action
This mindset isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about expanding it. The episode closes with actionable tips to cultivate your own “delulu” energy: visualize wild success daily, reframe negative self-talk, set bold goals, and surround yourself with big thinkers who support your vision.
Because in the end, the line between delusion and vision is just results. Every great accomplishment was once considered unrealistic—until someone believed in it enough to make it real.