When I was in high school, my dad paid me $20 to read The Power of Positive Thinking. It\u2019s the only book he ever paid me to read. By the time I closed the back cover, I was addicted to motivational literature. Since then, I\u2019ve continued to study motivations and dreams. The more I read, the more I realize\u2014if we think small, we achieve small.<\/p>\n
Thinking small is natural. Over time, leaders lose the ability to dream. We become risk-averse and sacrifice goals. That\u2019s why I love motivational reading material. It reveals where I might be standing in my own way.<\/p>\n
When we recognize the limits of thinking small, we can re-train ourselves to think big. To start thinking big today, you\u2019ll need to follow three effective steps.<\/p>\n
Give yourself permission to dream. This may involve suspending disbelief. Most people build a habit of objecting to goals before they even take root. Instead of thinking, \u201cWhat if I fail?\u201d think \u201cWhat if I succeed?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dan Sullivan says entrepreneurs first achieve success because of their willingness to dream and take risks. However, once they realize initial success, many quit taking risks. Inevitably, these entrepreneurs fail.<\/p>\n
Leaders imagine possibilities and keep reimagining what\u2019s possible beyond each accomplishment.<\/p>\n
As I often say, thoughts disentangle themselves passing over the lips and through pencil tips. To give yourself a real opportunity to pursue your dream, clarify what you want. There\u2019s something about writing that brings this clarity.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t limited to work life. When I was in college, my pastor urged me to make a list of qualities I was seeking in a spouse. I wasn\u2019t even close to being in a relationship at the time. I made the list, and it helped me recognize Gail when she showed up.<\/p>\n\t\t