Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Little Delusion

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart.

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It’s a rollercoaster of rejection, uncertainty, and, occasionally, outright chaos. To survive, let alone thrive, you need more than just a solid business plan or a killer pitch deck. You need a little delusion.

Yes, delusion.

The irrational, almost laughable belief that you can succeed where others have failed, that your idea is the one that will change the world.

Take Steve Jobs, for example. People told him the Macintosh was a pipe dream. They said no one wanted a personal computer, let alone one with a graphical user interface. But Jobs didn’t just believe in the Macintosh—he knew it would work. That kind of conviction borders on delusion, but it’s also what made him one of the most iconic entrepreneurs of all time.

The Fine Line Between Confidence and Delusion

Here’s the tricky part: delusion can be a double-edged sword. On one side, it’s the fuel that keeps you going when everyone else says no. On the other, it can blind you to reality. The key is to balance your delusion with a healthy dose of self-awareness.

Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby, is a great example of this balance. He didn’t start CD Baby with a grand vision to disrupt the music industry. He just wanted to help a few friends sell their CDs online.

But once he saw the potential, he leaned into it with almost reckless optimism. That optimism—some might call it delusion—turned a side project into a $100 million business.

Why Delusion Is Necessary

• It keeps you going: Let’s be honest—most startups fail. If you didn’t have a little delusion, you’d never even start. It’s what gets you through the tough times, the rejections, and the sleepless nights.

• It inspires others: Investors, employees, and customers don’t just buy into your product, they buy into your vision. If you don’t believe in your idea with every fiber of your being, why should they?

• It drives innovation: The best ideas often sound crazy at first. Henry Ford famously said, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Sometimes, you have to ignore the doubters and trust your gut.

The Danger of Too Much Delusion

Of course, there’s a dark side to delusion. Just look at Theranos. Elizabeth Holmes believed so deeply in her vision that she ignored the science, the data, and the ethics. That’s not entrepreneurship—that’s hubris.

The lesson here? Stay grounded. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you, not just cheer you on. Listen to feedback, even when it’s hard to hear. And remember, not every “no” is a sign that you’re on the right track.

Embrace the Delusion

So, should you be a little delusional? Absolutely. It’s what separates the dreamers from the doers. But don’t let it consume you. Use it as a tool, not a crutch. Believe in the impossible, but stay open to the improbable.

Because at the end of the day, every great entrepreneur started with a crazy idea—and just enough delusion to make it real.

Mahalo!

Guy