Think Big – Act Accordingly
When I began my consulting career, it was just me, myself, and I. However, things began to grow quickly, so I began inviting wonderful people to join me on this journey. One evening, we were having dinner in an Asian restaurant and at the end of the meal, my fortune cookie said, “You will be the best.”. So, I decided right then and there to incorporate this “fortune” and take this company to its highest level. I decided that I/we would always focus on doing everything that we did to the very best of our ability. We have done our best to fulfill that “fortune”. I have that very fortune taped into my notebook that I carry with me—always.
Dr. David Schwartz, in his classic book, The Magic of Thinking Big, says that success is determined not so much by the size of one’s brain as it is by the size of one’s thinking. He goes on to say that “the size of bank accounts, the size of happiness accounts, and the size of one’s general satisfaction account is dependent on the size of one’s thinking. There is the magic of thinking big.”
Each and every one of us (whether we know it or not) are influenced by the “thinking” of those around us. If you are surrounded by people who think small, you will reflect that and your own thinking will be –or will become—small. Most everything and everyone around us pulls us downward. Based on research data, most people do not put out the necessary effort to become “above average”. Most people are complacent. People are jealous of other people’s success, so they put down your vision, ridicule you for putting out extra effort to do a better job, or tell you to “stop working so hard”, “chill”, “don’t do more than you have to”, “stop being a dreamer”, and etc. You’ve heard those things. So have I.
But, why be content with the status quo? Why not reach down deep into the talents and gifts you have been given and nurture those? Why not make a decision to be “above average?” It’s a lot more fun!!!
The prophet, David, as recorded in Proverbs 23:7 said, “as one thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Your thinking—more than your situation, your history, your gender, your ethnicity, your brain—will determine how, where, and when you will go to whatever heights you decide. So, think big. Why not?
Dr. William James, the father of modern psychology in the United States, says that the human being only used between 5-10% of his or her potential. Why? Because complacency is more common than putting out extra effort. Ninety-five percent of Americans in the workplace say that they are not working at full capacity.
You are not average!! You are way above average. And you have amazing potential laying within, begging to be accessed and expressed. The world needs you and your talent. You can be more than you ever imagined possible. Whatever your career—or the career you have dreamed about—make that happen. When people tell you that you “can’t” do something, don’t let that negativity into your soul. You can be, do, and have anything you want. Begin with your thinking. Truly, you are the caregiver of your thinking and you must protect yourself from negative thoughts of others or from all the doomsayers that say you “can’t”. Shakespeare said “there is nothing either good or bad except that thinking makes it so.” Make your thinking good. Think big.
The first thing you must do is—in the quietness of your mind—think about what it is you do want: for yourself, your career, your family, your community, etc. Then, write your goals (see my blog on this subject). Once you have written your goals in the affirmative as if they have already happened, make sure you surround yourself with people who are supportive and who do not pull you down. If necessary, separate yourself from any doomsayers. And/or do your best to influence those doomsayers in a constructive, positive manner. Doomsayers can be transformed!!!
5 FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS THAT SUPPORT LIFE SUCCESS
- Focus on the positive and surround yourself with positive people.
- Write your goals.
- Read positive books. (the average adult reads 12 books per year.) Make sure you read (or listen) to some books that support your path to success.
- Believe in possibilities.
- Think Big. Act Accordingly.
