In this modern day, it is almost impossible to enter a space of young people and not find at least over 50% of them think they have brilliant business ideas that can bring them fortunes.
And they see these "ideas" as life-changing and worth millions, though they've never been tested.
With the advent of business-centric narrative in the world particularly in media, everyone aims to have a business, which fosters everyone to have a business idea that will make them a fortune once it gets realised.
But the downside to this kind of thinking is that many of these ideas have never been tested.
They perhaps may have been tested elsewhere by others. But the person who holds it has never tested it in his or her capacity. However, they truly believe their 'brilliant idea' will work. This is the illusion that this current climate of entrepreneurship-centric world brings to many.
For example, Theo Baloyi created the brand, Bathu - the sneaker. From thereon, we saw several sneaker brands popping up around the corners of SA. Many of which have not gotten the traction Bathu still has today. Some even ceased.
The influence of 'successful entrepreneurs' we see all around prompts many to go the same route. And because it seems easy, people believe it is.
Moreover, with the rising unemployment rate, one has no choice but to start some form of a business to make a living. However, many get deluded into thinking it will be as simple as they play it in their minds.
One will have an idea, and because they believe in it so much, they over-evaluate its potential success; and therefore think it's the perfect thing that will surely change their lives. This is the illusion entrepreneurship can invite into one's mind.
Of course, we have to believe in what we can achieve for it to be a reality. But at times, many overdo it. They become so unrealistic to a point where they go into a delusional hole without realising it. They have unmanageable unrealistic optimism.
An idea it's just an idea. An idea that has been tested, even on a smaller scale and its data was collected, stands a chance of being a success than an idea that only resides in the mind of its holder with no data to prove its viability.
Yet, a person will tell you their idea is worth a billion simply because they just believe so.
This illusion is what drives many into depression, they take people's money or go into debt and invest all of it into their 'idea', and when it doesn't play out as well as they thought, it all comes crumbling down, driving many into a state of despair.
Why? Because they overly believed in it, they had too much unrealistic optimism.
As we aim to better our lives and as we see how our economy is at this point, we ought to form means of income, and many of them require us to start some sort of business. But in doing so, we ought to be vigilant of the "great success" illusion that entrepreneurship can bring to a person.
Though we may have brilliant ideas and possible business ventures, we ought not to downplay the difficulty of making it.
Yes, one has to firmly believe in the success of what they want to do. In the same breath, one has to have realistic optimism.
In conclusion, even though no one speaks about the dangers of such an illusion. We ought to be wary of the illusion that entrepreneurship can bring.
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