Most of the time we think small. It’s okay.
Why do we think small? We’re trying to track many of the details of our work.
The phone calls, the email follow-ups, the elements of the project, cleaning up after other people.
The nature of our position makes us forget to see the ENTIRE forest sometimes because we are focused on every tree.
The problem is — if we don’t start thinking BIG, we usually get used to thinking small. Not that it’s a bad thing — but thinking BIG is a prerequisite for MOVING UP.
Growing your position, growing your business, getting the RIGHT people to stand up and notice you and what you can really do.
Of course, you can just go along and do what you’ve always been doing — you make the cash, you have the stability, you get comfortable with that reality.
But someday, reality is going to come knocking at your door. And you’re going to have to answer it.
So here are three ways to start thinking BIG:
1. What is your COMPETITION doing?
If you work for an organization, think of your best performing peers. If you run your own business, who is the best in your industry? Apple did that yesterday — they introduced the new Apple iPad Mini. Initially, they were never going to alter the original size of the iPad, stating it was THE perfect size for what it needs to do. Suddenly, there was the Nook, the Kindle Fire, and the Nexus all starting to take little nips out of iPad’s market share.
Apple management made a strategic decision and developed the Mini. We’ll see if they capture the small market too.
2. Where is your INDUSTRY going?
Again, we tend to never step back and see where our industry is headed — sometimes we are working too hard and forget — sometimes we stick our head in the sand and try not to look. Whichever one you are, you need to keep your eye on the prize. Is it growing or shrinking? Is it changing — for the better or worse? Can you chart a course for your career along that new trajectory? Or should you start making your way to the lifeboats and don your lifejacket?
Thinking big is staying current with what is happening to your industry. And taking 1-2 steps ahead — anticipate the curve.
3. What would your BEST YOU do?
This is a great practice to get you out of your safe, fuzzy and warm bubble and to start thinking BIG. Don’t think of your current self or your current situation. Begin to think of an alternate universe where your ‘best self’ lives — what would they be doing right now? What is their position? What projects would they be working on? Who would they be talking to, accessing, and leveraging to get things done.
This is a great exercise for you to start thinking about YOUR abilities — how far you can push yourself. P.S. Got this idea from my good friend Margo Meeker, therapist/life coach extrodinarire – her motto is ‘be your best self’. Thank you Margo!
If you want to be BIG — you have to start thinking BIG — Right Now.
Image provided by tolomea at Flickr.
