Most people were raised to believe that if something isn’t affordable today, it should be passed up or saved for later. It’s how we’re taught to manage personal finances—live within your means, avoid debt, and only invest in what you can afford. That’s linear thinking. It follows a straight path: income minus expenses equals opportunity. But when it comes to entrepreneurship and investing, that kind of logic often leads to missed opportunities.
Entrepreneurs play by a different rulebook. They don’t ask, “Can I afford this?” Instead, they ask, “Is this worth it?” That single shift in mindset is powerful. Rather than being constrained by current bank balances or income, they evaluate opportunity through the lens of potential return. If an opportunity checks all the boxes—low risk, high return, strategic fit—they move forward, even if they don’t have the money in hand.
Non-linear thinking doesn’t mean being reckless or ignoring financial responsibility. It means thinking creatively about how to get something done, even when it looks out of reach. Let’s say an entrepreneur comes across a chance to invest in a startup with huge upside potential. They may not have the funds personally, but that doesn’t stop them. They build a case—do the due diligence, crunch the numbers, assess the risks—and pitch it to potential investors or lenders.
If no one buys into the idea? That’s a useful signal. Maybe the opportunity wasn’t as solid as they thought. Or maybe their pitch needs refining. Either way, they’ve gained clarity without walking away blindly based on affordability alone.
This approach isn’t limited to seasoned entrepreneurs or investors. Anyone can adopt this mindset. You can start by asking better questions when you encounter an opportunity. Instead of shutting it down with “I can’t afford it,” try:
What’s the upside if this works out?
What’s the worst-case scenario, and can I live with it?
Is there a creative way to make this happen—through a partner, financing, or phased execution?
Who else might benefit from this and be willing to join in?
In business, some of the best deals are the ones that seemed out of reach at first but became a reality through resourcefulness and persuasive storytelling. Take, for example, how companies raise seed capital. Many founders don’t have the money themselves—they pitch angel investors, venture capital firms, or even friends and family based on a compelling vision and data-backed plan.
The difference is in how you frame the challenge. A linear thinker sees a wall. A non-linear thinker sees a puzzle and looks for the pieces to build a ladder.
