Be Delusional
On Living Your Most Audacious Life
The other day, I sat on a leadership panel for Women’s History Month at a local university. It was an incredible day with great conversation, brilliant students, and the kind of energy that makes you excited for the future.
During lunch, a graduating senior asked me and another panelist for advice. She’s been applying for jobs and it was starting to wear her down. She told us about how she was doing everything “right” but still wasn’t landing any offers. The self-doubt was creeping in, and she was starting to wonder, Is something wrong with me?
I told her straight up: Be delusional.
Believe you are that girl. The best candidate to ever exist, and the kind of hire that would make any company better just by being in their office. Walk into every interview like they’d be LUCKY to have you, because they would.
More than anything, I wanted her to show herself some grace. And, funny enough, her name was actually Grace.
But here’s the thing: this advice isn’t just for her. It’s for all of us.
Why Being Delusional Works
People love talking about being delusional, but when it comes time to act on it, they get real quiet. While they are out here playing small, doubting themselves and waiting for permission, other people are out here living BIG and not waiting for proof before they believe in themselves. They create the proof by moving like they already have it.
The world will try to humble you. People will tell you to be “realistic.” They’ll project their own fears onto you. But, being realistic has never changed the world. Being realistic has never made someone take a bold risk or chase an outrageous dream. Delusion is what gets you there.
And, before anyone tries it—no, I’m not saying ignore reality. What I am saying is bend it and make it work for you.
How to Start Living Your Most Delusional Life
Move like you already have it. Stop waiting to feel “ready.” You want to be a bestselling author? Start calling yourself a writer and do what writers does. Want to be a CEO? Make decisions like a boss now. Move like the success you want is inevitable.
Say yes before you figure it out. Some of the biggest opportunities will come before you feel “qualified.” Take the opportunity before you are ready. Audacity will carry you a long way.
Make your dreams bigger (then add 10%). Whatever goal you have, stretch it and let it scare the sh!t out of you. You want to make six figures? Why not seven? You want to be featured in a magazine? Make it a cover story instead. Think BIGGER!
Embody main character energy. Walk into every room like you belong there. Stop shrinking. Stop apologizing for taking up space. Take up more space. You’re the star—act like it.
I don’t care if you have doubts. Have them and still bet on yourself. There are mediocre people out here living their wildest dreams simply because they believed they could. You, with all your talent and magic, owe it to yourself to do the same.
Be delusional. Live big. Make them wonder how you did it. Then do it again.
"Say yes before you figure it out." This was my motto in returning to the fashion industry. I had no idea how to come back or how to get "ready" and instead of planning, I jumped right back in without a plan. So grateful I did.
"Big Character Energy." Love this phrase and concept.