Manifestation for creative entrepreneurs: how ‘Delulu’ thinking builds success

We all want the recipe for success.

A simple, step-by-step formula. Specifics, please. With a side of quick wins, oh and make it fun.

And every corner of the internet promises it. Bro marketers dangling “free value,” webinars promising answers, courses that insist you’re just one funnel away from fulfillment.

But if you're a creative entrepreneur exploring manifestation or mindset, you’ve maybe heard this by now:

Strategy that overrides your intuition will always lead to burnout.

There is no single recipe.

But there is a formula to find your own.

“Big Recipe” vs. Intuitive Alchemy

On an episode of This Juicy Life podcast, we interviewed Peter Barrett, an artist-turned-home-chef who believes that liberating yourself from what he calls “Big Recipe” is an act of creative empowerment.

If you know how flavors work, you can improvise. You don’t need a strict recipe to make magic.

What if building a business worked the same way?

Once you know your ingredients: the things that light you up, move you forward, and keep you grounded - you can create your own version of success.

Here are a few of the core “flavor notes” I see in my own coaching practice:

• Focus (clarity on your direction)

• Alignment (with your values and purpose)

• Growth mindset (openness to possibility)

• Inspired action (moving from intuition, not pressure)

• Commitment (making the decision to show up)

• Trust (that you’re being guided)

But lately, I’ve been playing with one more powerful (and spicy) ingredient:

Delusion.

Yep. Delulu energy. Let’s talk about it.

Why a little delusion might be the ‘umami’ you’re missing

Let’s set the table with a story.

On an episode of The Great Creators, chef David Chang (of Momofuku fame) was asked about being ready to open his first restaurant in NYC, arguably one of the hardest cities in the world to break through.

“Absolutely not. I was not ready. But that’s exactly why it worked. I had just enough ambition, a little bit of know-how, and a lot of stupidity — that’s why it worked.”

Call it delusion. Call it beginner’s luck. Call it charisma…?

The point is: he believed, and so he became.

“Delulu” is just the amateur’s advantage

“Amateurs are not afraid to make mistakes or look ridiculous in public. They’re in love, so they don’t hesitate to do work that others think of as silly or just plain stupid.” – Austin Kleon

Being a little delusional when you're starting out?

It gives you an edge.

You’re not jaded.

You’re not over-strategized.

You’re in love with the possibility.

And that energy is magnetic.

Why Delulu might be the Solulu

Most of the creatives I coach have had success.

But with experience comes a kind of contraction.

Your sense of possibility narrows. Your inner critic gets louder. You stop letting yourself believe big things could happen for you.

“In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind, there are few.” — Shunryu Suzuki

What if delusion is just belief…before there's evidence?

What if your limiting beliefs are actually delusional - but not in the fun way?

Let’s be honest: it’s wildly irrational to believe that:

• Your work isn’t good enough

• The market is too saturated for you

• You’ll fail so badly that people will talk behind your back

But somehow we trust those thoughts more than we trust our dreams.

That ick version of delulu is what’s truly “normal” … and it’s killing creativity!

You're not here to be normal.

You’re here to stir things up, motherf#%er! (felt like that needed some punctuation!)

What if you can borrow belief?

Sometimes, believing in your vision feels impossible, especially after setbacks or self-doubt.

That’s when you tap into the collective delulu energy:

Borrowed belief.

Think of someone creative you adore (we’ll call her Jan). You believe in Jan so deeply, it’s in your bones. You know she’s going to make it.

Now imagine Jan feels that way about you. (She does)

That energy — that delusional level of belief without evidence — is what keeps creatives moving.

It’s not about waiting for proof. It’s about remembering what’s already true…even if you can’t feel it yet.

So when your own belief falters, borrow someone else’s.

Let that be your starter flame.

That’s not weakness. That’s creative survival.

Because here's the thing:

Delulu isn’t a personality trait. It’s a practice.

Whether you’re a wide-eyed amateur, a seasoned pro in need of a reset, or just someone who needs to borrow belief today, you’re still doing the bravest thing:

Choosing to believe in what hasn’t shown up yet.

That is magnetic.

A final shakedown

Being a creative entrepreneur means you’re constantly dancing with the unknown.

You’re crafting your own path. Writing your own recipe, as you go. And sometimes, that requires a little delusion…the fun kind. The kind that says:

“I might not have all the answers yet…but I believe in where this is going.”

Whether you’re reigniting your amateur spark, flipping your limiting beliefs, or borrowing someone else’s belief for a bit, you’re here showing up.

I see you, you delulu sorceress you!

And if you’re ready to test-drive that belief with someone who can hold the mirror up for you…

I work with creatives who are ready to believe bigger, even if it scares them.

Especially if it excites them.

if you wanna get a little delulu together…

Book a free Clarity Jam and lets talk about the uniquely juicy version of success you want to build, and how to get there in a way that actually feels like you.

And if you want more soul-sparking ideas like this, listen to This Juicy Life wherever you get your podcasts.