Gen Z are being ‘delusional’ at work in order to land promotions

“Delusional” Gen Z workers are claiming to have cracked the code to landing your dream job and getting promoted at work with minimal effort.

Since entering the workforce, Gen Z have introduced a plethora new work trends – many focused on work-life balance and dismantling the “hustle culture” mentality.

It all started with quiet quitting and since then we have had “bare minimum Mondays”, “lazy girl jobs” and “acting your wage” – just to name a few.

Now a new trend has emerged, which Gen Z say is the secret to getting promotions and achieving your dream job.

According to the younger generation, getting everything you want out of your career is all about being “delulu”.

Being delulu – or delusional – is a term that has skyrocketed in popularity across social media, with #delulu having 2.3 billion views on TikTok alone.

But what does it mean and why to Gen Z think it will help them be successful?

Gen Z say being 'delulu' will help you land your dream job. Picture: iStock

Essentially, the delulu mindset relates to the belief that if you act like the thing you want is already in your possession, such as a raise or promotion, then that thing will be attracted to you.

Dr. Anna Denejkina, PhD, the Research Director for YouthInsight, told news.com.au that “being delulu” essentially falls under the umbrella of positive thinking.

“It may be connected to the idea around manifestation, but the word itself ‘delulu’ is also tongue-in-cheek in that some of those aspirations, wants, and ambitions may be grandiose and recognising that they may, in fact, be unattainable,” she said.

“These trends can instead be viewed under the umbrella of positive thinking. With research showing that positive thinking impacts stress appraisal and ability to effectively deal with stressors – and optimism being a key part of stress management – this is an optimistic movement, moving away from negative self-talk.”

The term was recently popularised as a dating trend, with people encouraged to be “delulu” to find their perfect partner.

Now the younger generation are using it in their work life too.

One TikTok user, who goes by The Luxury Ink, claimed that they went from being homeless to “owning a seven figure business” all by following the delulu trend.

“Stay delulu until your dreams become a reality,” she wrote.

One TikTok creator claimed being delulu helped them start their own seven figure business. Picture: The Luxury Ink/TikTok

Another woman claimed following this trend helped her land a job that lets her travel around the world. Picture: @doseoftravel/TikTok

Travel blogger Dr Nabila Ismail also claimed that “being delulu works”, pointing out that she now gets paid to travel around the world.

“I’m sorry what! About to board a flight I didn’t pay for and I’m about to cry from gratitude. It doesn’t get old,” the licensed pharmacist turned content creator wrote alongside the video.

Another creator claimed being delulu landed them a promotion and a boyfriend in the same week.

Lifestyle and fashion creator, Anju, believes in this trend so much that she decided to quit her full-time job with no plan or other work lined up.

“You’re just in delulu land thinking everything will work out,” she said.

“Somehow I don’t know how but we’re manifesting it because there’s no reality where you won’t be rich and successful.”

Anju trusts in the work trend so much that she quit her job without anything else lined up. Picture: @ayeitsanju/TikTok

This creator said being delulu helped her land a promotion and a new boyfriend. Picture: @activearies_/TikTok

The trend has even made its way over to LinkedIn, with users discussing the positive impact that embracing delusion can have in the workplace.

Elle-Louise Wilmot, founder of the online group Truly Twenties, proclaimed she was “jumping head first into delulu season meaning I am going to be delulu with my goals”.
“Why? Because most often we have goals we are absolutely capable of but our minds, thoughts and belief system tell us we’re not capable or that’s not impossible,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post.

“So whether you are feeling delusional to yourself or you’re going to look delulu to the circle around you – push onwards for one month (minimum) and see how much more you’ve achieved with nobody (not even yourself) holding you back.”

Copywrite and social media executive, Amy Stephenson-Yankuba, listed “staying delulu” as one of her top tips for people who want to make it in a similar field.

“Because you have to be a bit delusional to achieve anything. The way I see it, you either think you’re hot s**t and get opportunities to find out if you are or you don’t think you’re any good, it’s obvious – and because of that you don’t get the opportunities to prove otherwise,” she said, adding it was a “catch 22”.

“All I know is that it gets very tiring not believing in yourself.”

Dr Denejkina said that the idea of being ‘delulu’ is not much different to the ‘fake it ‘till you make it’ mindset that has been around for a long time.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean that people are overconfident in their abilities at work, but that they do believe in themselves to develop their skills, achieve success and, importantly, are optimistic about their future,” she said.

Originally published as Gen Z are being ‘delusional’ at work in order to land promotions