Why Being Delusional is the Key to Real Estate Success
There’s something about the world falling apart that really tests your grit as a real estate developer. Markets crash, interest rates go bananas, regulations change, and suddenly, everyone’s running around like their hair’s on fire. But here’s the thing: if you want to be successful in this game, you’ve got to put on blinders so thick they’d make Roseanne Barr look like Scarlett Johansson.
The secret? A little touch of delusion. And I don’t mean the kind where you’re doodling your next project on the back of a napkin and calling it the next Château Frontenac (though, maybe keep that napkin just in case). No, I’m talking about the kind of delusion that makes you see problems not as obstacles, but as puzzles you’re already halfway through solving.
The Delusional Developer’s Mindset
When everyone else is screaming “The sky is falling!” the delusional developer shrugs and says, “Looks like a slight drizzle, let’s build a gazebo.” You’ve got to look at every issue, every crisis, as something you can solve. Not something that’s out to end your career.
Instead of saying, “This is a big problem and I’m screwed,” you say, “This is an issue I can solve. How do I solve it? What are my options?” Then you make a plan, and you execute the hell out of that plan.
A Personal Tale of Delusional Problem-Solving
I remember this one project where I had everything lined up perfectly—land assembled, financing secured, and the market was buzzing with optimism. Then COVID hit Toronto like a sledgehammer. Days before the lockdowns were announced, I managed to close on one property out of a two-property assembly. Perfect timing, right? Except the market died instantly.
And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, my financing partner made it clear they were bailing on me for the second property. “Don’t go firm on the second property, we are not going to lend you any money for it,” they said. So there I was, stuck with one property out of two and absolutely no clue what to do.
Panic would’ve been the natural response. But panic doesn’t get things built. Without a clue how long the well would be dry, I had no choice but to figure out a new plan. With nothing but faith and gigantic balls, I went firm on the second property and negotiated a ten-month closing. Then I sat back and prayed the liquidity would come back to the market by then.
What happened next? The market didn’t just come back. It exploded. By the time the ten months were up, I was holding gold. The decision to push forward, to act like the world wasn’t burning down, paid off big. And that’s what it takes to be a real estate developer—keeping your head on straight, even when everything around you is falling apart.
How to Put On Blinders and Keep Moving Forward
Control Your Inputs:
Block out the noise. Seriously, turn off the news, stop reading Twitter threads from armchair economists, and definitely avoid any ‘doomscrolling’ black holes. When the world feels like it’s collapsing, it’s easy to let external panic infect your brain. The only way to keep moving is to stay laser-focused on what you can control.
Focus on real, actionable information. What’s happening in your market? What’s working for developers who are still succeeding? What resources are still available to you? You’re looking for facts, not fear-mongering. Plug into your network, talk to lenders, consultants, and other developers who are still standing. If they’re thriving, figure out why.
Break Down the Problems:
The sheer scale of a crisis can feel paralyzing. Instead of staring at the big, terrifying picture like a deer caught in headlights, break it down into manageable pieces. This is construction, after all—every skyscraper starts with a single blueprint.
Ask yourself: “What part of this do I have control over?” and “What’s the first step I can take?” Then take that step. And another. Until you’ve turned the problem into a series of smaller, conquerable tasks.
Delusional Confidence:
You’ve got to believe you can figure it out, even if you’re not sure how yet. The best developers have an almost irrational level of confidence—something so stubbornly positive it would make Muhammad Ali rethink his own swagger.
You don’t need all the answers right away. You need the belief that you’ll find them. And then, you need to work your ass off to prove yourself right.
Execute, Then Refine:
Plans are great, but execution is where the magic happens. You can always refine as you go, but nothing happens without massive action. Start swinging the hammer before the concrete even dries. If your plan fails, adjust and keep moving. It’s like adjusting the scaffolding while you’re halfway up the building—terrifying, but necessary.
Keep Your Eye on the Prize:
Every real estate deal is a marathon, not a sprint. Keeping the end goal in sight is what separates developers who thrive from those who get overwhelmed and panic.
When things are crumbling all around you, you’ve got to cling to your vision like it’s the only lifeline you’ve got. And in many cases, it is. The only difference between a developer who makes it and one who doesn't? The ability to keep putting one foot in front of the other when everyone else is too busy freaking out.
Why Being Delusional Works
Being a real estate developer means having the audacity to believe you can turn dirt into gold. But more than that, it’s about having the resilience to push forward even when the world’s throwing everything it’s got at you. The most successful developers aren’t the smartest people in the room—they’re the ones stubborn enough to keep going.
The world can fall apart all it wants. You’ve got your blinders on, your delusional optimism dialed to eleven, and a plan ready to roll. And if that plan fails? Make another one. That’s the real superpower of the delusional developer.
And who knows? Maybe one day that doodle on the napkin will end up being your Château Frontenac.