We are raised on a steady diet of “realism.” From the moment we enter the school system, we are told to manage our expectations, to look at the data, and to stay within the lines of what is probable. We are taught that “wishing” is for children and that “doing” must be grounded in cold, hard facts. But here is the secret that the most successful people in the world won’t tell you: Logic is a rearview mirror. Logic is based on what has already happened. If you only ever act based on what is “realistic,” you are condemned to repeat the past. To bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be, you don’t need more logic. You need a healthy dose of delusion. The “Head Chef” and the Standard of Excellence Think about a student in a high-pressure culinary academy. Why is there a Master Chef standing over their shoulder while they whisk a simple sauce? It’s not just to teach them a recipe; it’s to enforce a “delusion” of perfection. To that student, it might f...