The human mind is a wonderful thing. It’s a perpetual thinking organism. It’s hard to prevent our brains from thinking every minute we’re awake. Maybe when we’re asleep, too. So, if we have to think, why not think big? Is there any reason to not have big dreams?
If you want to be successful in any venture isn’t it better to shoot for the stars and go way beyond the moon? Why waste your time daydreaming when your thoughts could be applied in making a difference in the world? We all have 24 hours a day of life. We’re all capable of thinking about anything we choose. So think big.
I can’t imagine any successful business where the company owner opened her doors and said, “I’m going to think small. I’m going to set my sights real low. I don’t want to be too successful. Maybe if I could just make a little profit that would be fine.”
Darwin wanted to do more than write a travelogue. The Wright Brothers didn’t want to just fly across a field. And Einstein wasn’t satisfied reviewing the work of others when he worked in the Swiss Patent Office. They all had bigger dreams. Today, mankind has stretched beyond the bonds of Earth and not only landed men on the Moon but sent exploratory missions to Mars and beyond.
Humanity’s interest in the heavens has been universal and enduring. Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds, push the boundaries of our scientific and technical limits, and then push further. The intangible desire to explore and challenge the boundaries of what we know and where we have been has provided benefits to our society for centuries.
Back on Earth entrepreneurs have the same kind of “push forward” spirit and the same kind of vision. We don’t want to develop a product; we want to develop the best product. We don’t want to take a small share of a market niche; we want to own it. We don’t want to be second; we want to be first. In the business world cup we want to be THE winner. We want to hold the trophy.
Some people, of course, never think big. They’re programmed by culture or tradition to go to school, get a good degree, and then settle into a steady job where they don’t have to think too much. They seek comfort and security. Maybe they crawl up the managerial ladder. Or maybe it’s just to get to the end of a shift and go home to watch TV.
Others have big dreams. But they remain dreams and are not acted upon. They think too much about the obstacles and the difficulties. They over-analyze. They’re good at coming up with excuses for not executing their plans. They let their fears smother their ambitions.
So, thinking big is a great starting point but you not only need to think big—you need to act big. Thinking big opens your mind to a universe of opportunities. Thinking big brings the immense force of cosmic energy into your life. Thinking big empowers you to overcome conventional wisdom and puts your brain into overdrive. Anything becomes possible.
I’m reminded of a powerful advertising slogan that the creative team at Adidas developed: “Impossible is nothing.” In many ways that’s the real wonder of thinking big: it makes the impossible possible.
Big thinkers aren’t satisfied with the status quo. Good is not good enough—they need excellence. Mediocrity is not in their vocabulary.
Every person who consciously decides to think on a grander scale can make a meaningful contribution to the world, whatever their field of endeavor. Break barriers. Break records. Invent something that makes life better, easier, more enjoyable. Motivate others to begin an inspiring, life-transforming journey. Show them how they can become rock stars in their own professions. Take humankind to soaring new heights of achievement.
As one famous writer put it: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
That means acting on your vision. Stepping away from the humdrum. Becoming a leader. Why settle for anything less? The choice is all yours. And you do have a choice. You can think big or think small. But, as far as I’m concerned, thinking big is the only way to go.