Why being delusional is a good thing.

I'm going to Coachella in 2027 and a brand is paying for it.

The tickets, the flight, the accommodation, what I’m wearing…the whole thing paid for. Yes, this is a slightly unhinged public manifestation. But, stay with me.

Last weekend, I spent an unhealthy amount of time watching influencers dance in the desert at Coachella. The entire brand trip paid for, everyone living out their childhood fantasy watching Justin Bieber. 

My first reaction…

JEALOUSY.

Why them? Why not me? They don’t need a free ticket. This isn't fair.

But then I reframed it.

Every single person there did one thing.

They said “f**k it” and just started. 

Maybe they went on a reality TV show, maybe they posted a silly video on TikTok, maybe they shared “cringe OOTD” dumps on Instagram. 

Whatever it was, they plucked up the courage, felt cringe and did it anyway. 

They're not more talented than you (or us). Not more creative. Not more deserving.

The only difference is they made themselves visible. Consistently, before they felt ready.

So here it is, in writing: I will be at Coachella in 2027.

And you could be too.

Because in all seriousness, you can stay in that pissed off feeling. Be annoyed. Be frustrated. Tell yourself it's unrealistic.

Or...

You play the game.
You start making yourself visible.
You post the post.
You ask for the thing you actually want.

And you back yourself even when it feels a bit delusional.

Nothing I've done recently required me to suddenly become more talented. I just stopped waiting until I felt ready and started believing in myself.

• Pitched myself for opportunities that felt slightly out of reach

• Raised my prices before it felt fully justified

• Messaged people I thought were "ahead" of me

• Said yes before I'd completely figured it out

That's how I've landed speaking opportunities at Google, at Cannes Lions and at Undeniable London this weekend (if you’re up for it, there’s a few tickets left!)

So here's what I’ve learnt actually moves things forward. 

Three things, all free, all within your control and all slightly uncomfortable.

1. Be a bit delusional

One thing I noticed after ten weeks in America?

The level of self-belief is insane.

People back themselves. Loudly. They say what they do with confidence. They believe they can make things happen.

And in the UK... we just don't do that. We play it safe. We downplay ourselves. We dream smaller than we should.

And there's actual neuroscience behind why that matters.

Your brain has a filter called the Reticular Activating System. Every second, it's processing millions of bits of information and deciding what to show you. 

1. Train it to look for the bad - I'm never going to get that opportunity, I'm not good enough, that's not for people like me and that's exactly what it finds.

2. But train it to look for the good? I can do this, I deserve this, this will happen to me. And suddenly your brain starts finding the doors that were always open.

I spent my twenties playing small. Fixated on climbing the corporate ladder, doing well within my “role”, building success for someone else's business.

Never once thinking I could build something of my own. I wasn't delusional enough to believe it.

I regret that. 

The only difference between you and the people doing what you want? They're crazy enough to believe it's possible.

Be that crazy.

2. Post the post

This sounds so simple but it's not easy.

I'm doing this right now with my own Instagram. I genuinely hate it. It makes me feel awkward, exposed, uncomfortable and like everyone is judging me.

I'm doing it anyway.

One of my favourite TikTok creators, Max Balegde, just got Forbes 30 Under 30. His message in his video announcing it? If he can do it, you can too. All it came down to was plucking up the courage to post a video on social media 5 years ago. 

That was it. 

He's now touring Australia for his sold-out podcast tour, interviewing the biggest celebrities, building something beyond his wildest dreams. Not because he had it figured out. Not because he’d unlocked a new level of confidence.  Because he started anyway and didn't stop.

The cringe. The hesitation. The "what will people think?" That's not a reason to wait, that’s literally just the price of entry.

Shoot your shot. Create the content. Hit post and see what happens.

I sure as hell will be.

3. Just ask

We don't ask enough.

We wait for people and opportunities to come to us. We assume people are too busy to help. 

But most of the time? We just haven't asked.

I was at Courtney Johnson's book launch recently. She made the whole room think of their one big “ask”. The thing they want most right now, that they haven't said out loud yet.

Then we had to find a stranger and give them our “ask”. 

Her point was simple: people are not mind readers. You don't get what you want if you never ask for it.

We don't tell people what we want yet e we sit there hoping it'll somehow happen anyway.

It won't. Not if you stay quiet.

• Growing on Instagram? Ask friends to share your next post. 

• Looking for new clients? Post that you have capacity. 

• Want to be introduced to someone? Ask someone who knows them.

The truth is you're often one message away.

YOUR ONE TINY ACTION THIS WEEK:

This week: do all three.

1. Pick one belief that's been keeping your dreams small. Write it down, then rewrite it in the opposite direction. Stick it somewhere you'll actually see it. E.g. The belief: "I'm not established enough to charge more." Rewrite: "My clients get results. My prices should reflect that."

2. Find one piece of content you've been sitting on. Post it today. Don't edit it until it’s “perfect” (reminder perfect does not exist). Just hit post. And if you need a hand: use Stanley. The best AI tool that helps you create LinkedIn content (use my code to try it for free)

3. Write down one ask - one person who could genuinely help you move forward right now? Then tomorrow do the same. And the next day.

Be delusional. Post the post. Ask the ask.

There’s only one person getting in your way.

I’ll see you at Coachella 2027.

Mischa 🤍

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