Today, ambition is arrogance; effort is evil; prudence is preached while pursuits perish. Whether you’re a student, a young artist, or just starting a career, it feels like we’re taught to play it safe and stay in our lane.

I realized this when I heard Timothée Chalamet’s SAG Award acceptance speech. He said:

“And lastly, I can’t downplay the significance of this award, because it means the most to me. And I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there. So I’m deeply grateful. This doesn’t signify that, but it’s a little more fuel. It’s a little more ammo to keep going. Thank you so much.”

This was a breath of fresh air to some, while a frenzy of indecency to others. We have become so enamored with the idea that artists, or any successful people in their fields, must be humble about their victories to the point of deceit. But why? Why do we downplay our efforts and accolades that mean so much to us? Just to make other people feel better about themselves?

Every one of us should strive for greatness. I realized this when I started submitting short stories to literary magazines. As a teenager, it would have been unheard of to submit to adult literary magazines with acceptance rates hovering around 1%, where the pool is filled with writers with decades of experience or years of formal education in writing. It’s intimidating to put yourself out there when you’re the youngest person in the room.

Everywhere on the internet, the advice is the same. “Your first story is going to suck.” “It’s going to take years of practice to get published.”

While the underlying intention is good, to promote consistency over quality, this causes an unexpected effect. When the preconceived notion is failure, why would people aim high? There needs to be that ray of hope, the chance of hitting big and succeeding, all while knowing it is implausible.

We need to be delusional. By that word, I don’t mean denial of reality, but rather an acceptance of it, accepting that the statistics are not on your side, but trying nonetheless. Falling out of an airplane just to land in that tiny red circle of statistical success. I preach trying because we ourselves, and even our peers, are not good judges. We often deal with imposter syndrome or a lack of detached perspective. Others, however, are often just as inexperienced and amateur as they claim us to be.

So what is the best course of action? Let the experts decide.

I took that course exactly and submitted my stories to adult literary magazines. After many failures, I was accepted into two publications. It proved that our age shouldn't be a barrier to entry.

This is what 'delusion' can get us.

So, I hope for a day where delusion is dotted, confidence is commended, passion is preached, while prudence perishes.