Think Big

1. Set a big-thinking goal and identify small steps to achieve it

Think of strengths and difficulties as being the result of a process that you engage in.

Visualize your future self. Start by identifying what you enjoy doing or think you would enjoy, and use this to shape your big-thinking goal. This goal should be something that can realistically be achieved with hard work over the medium term (2-10 years). Once you have a clear vision of your future self (ME+), identify the skills and activities needed to get there.

Break it down into small steps. Determine the regular activities you need to engage in to develop the necessary skills. These small steps should be manageable and fit into your current routine without causing major disruption. Examples might include:

• Attending networking events
• Taking online courses
• Practicing a specific skill for 30 minutes daily
• Reading industry-related books or articles weekly

By focusing on these small, consistent actions, you increase the likelihood of achieving your big-thinking goal over time.

2. Overcome personal narratives and biases that hold you back

Cognitive biases are errors in our thinking that occur because of our brains' attempts to simplify the world and make decisions quickly.

Identify limiting beliefs. Recognize the stories you tell yourself that may be hindering your progress. These narratives often stem from past experiences, societal expectations, or fear of failure. Common limiting beliefs include:

• "I'm not smart enough"
• "I always quit when things get tough"
• "I'm too old/young to change careers"

Challenge and reframe. Once you've identified these narratives, work on reframing them. Replace negative self-talk with more empowering beliefs. For example:

• "I'm capable of learning new skills"
• "I persevere through challenges"
• "It's never too late to pursue my passion"

Actively engage in processes that reinforce your new, positive narratives. For instance, if you believe you always quit, focus on consistently showing up for your small steps and celebrate your persistence.

3. Manage your time effectively by eliminating time-sinkers

Time is your most precious resource. You cannot get it back, you cannot buy more, and in today's world there are oodles of things that grab at it indiscriminately.

Identify time-wasters. Conduct a time audit to recognize activities that drain your time without contributing to your goals. Common time-sinkers include:

• Excessive social media use
• Unnecessary meetings
• Constant email checking
• Mindless TV watching

Implement strategies to reclaim time. Once you've identified your time-sinkers, develop strategies to minimize or eliminate them:

• Set specific times for checking emails and social media
• Decline or shorten unnecessary meetings
• Use website blockers during focused work periods
• Replace TV time with activities that support your goals

By reclaiming this time, you create space for the small steps that will move you towards your big-thinking goal. Remember, even small changes can yield significant results over time.

4. Cultivate self-belief and resilience to stay on track

Self-belief is malleable. Simply believing you can improve in a wide variety of skills gives an immediate boost to performance in those areas.

Foster a growth mindset. Embrace the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This mindset shift allows you to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

Build resilience. Develop strategies to bounce back from setbacks and maintain motivation:

• Reframe failures as learning experiences
• Practice self-compassion
• Focus on progress rather than perfection
• Surround yourself with supportive people

Regular reinforcement. Consistently remind yourself of your capabilities and past successes. Keep a journal of your achievements, no matter how small, and review it regularly to boost your confidence and motivation.

5. Navigate other people's biases and blind spots

How people see you may not reflect your abilities, skills and talent at any one moment in time.

Recognize common biases. Be aware of biases that others may hold, such as:

• Unconscious bias
• Representativeness heuristic
• Statistical discrimination

Strategies to overcome biases:

• Acquire and showcase relevant signals (e.g., certifications, experiences)
• Clearly communicate your skills and value
• Seek diverse feedback to verify and address concerns
• Build relationships to overcome initial biases

Be proactive. Take charge of your narrative by consistently demonstrating your capabilities and actively seeking opportunities to showcase your skills. Don't wait for others to recognize your potential; create situations where you can prove your worth.

6. Create an environment conducive to productivity and focus

The environment that we live and breathe in most definitely affects our performance, motivation, perseverance, and the choices we make at any given moment.

Optimize your physical space. Make intentional changes to your work environment to enhance focus and productivity:

• Ensure good airflow and natural light
• Maintain a comfortable temperature (16-24°C)
• Reduce noise distractions
• Keep your workspace clutter-free

Manage digital distractions. Create systems to minimize online interruptions:

• Turn off notifications on devices
• Use website blockers during focused work periods
• Designate specific times for email and social media checks

Establish routines. Create habits and rituals that signal to your brain it's time to focus. This might include:

• A specific pre-work routine
• Using the same workspace consistently
• Playing certain music or sounds during work sessions

By intentionally designing your environment, you make it easier to engage in the focused work necessary to achieve your big-thinking goal.

7. Practice gratitude and celebrate small wins

Loss aversion, if left unchecked, causes any loss you experience to feel many times harder than an equivalent gain in emotional currency.

Cultivate daily gratitude. Take time each day to acknowledge positive aspects of your life and journey. This practice helps balance the natural tendency to focus on negatives:

• Keep a gratitude journal
• Share appreciation with others
• Reflect on daily accomplishments, no matter how small

Celebrate progress. Regularly acknowledge and reward yourself for taking steps towards your goal. This reinforces positive behavior and maintains motivation:

• Set milestones and reward yourself upon reaching them
• Share achievements with supportive friends or mentors
• Visualize how each small step contributes to your larger goal

By actively focusing on gains and progress, you can counteract the psychological impact of setbacks and maintain a positive outlook on your journey.

8. Seek diverse perspectives and build a supportive network

Different types of thinkers give you different types of advice.

Diversify your network. Actively seek connections with people from various backgrounds, industries, and experiences. This diversity provides:

• Fresh perspectives on challenges
• Exposure to new ideas and opportunities
• A broader understanding of your field or goal

Cultivate meaningful relationships. Build a support system of mentors, peers, and advisors who can provide guidance, feedback, and encouragement:

• Identify potential mentors in your field
• Join professional organizations or networking groups
• Offer support to others to build reciprocal relationships

Leverage collective wisdom. Regularly seek input and feedback from your network to:

• Challenge your assumptions
• Identify blind spots
• Gain insights into industry trends or opportunities

Remember, your network is a valuable resource for both personal and professional growth. Invest time in building and nurturing these relationships.

9. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity

If you are not being told no, getting rejected or failing regularly, you are not challenging yourself adequately on your journey.

Reframe failure. View setbacks and rejections as valuable learning experiences rather than personal shortcomings:

• Analyze what went wrong and identify areas for improvement
• Recognize that failure is a natural part of growth and innovation
• Use failures as motivation to refine your approach

Learn from each experience. After each setback:

• Conduct a post-mortem to identify lessons learned
• Adjust your strategies based on new insights
• Seek feedback from mentors or peers for additional perspective

Develop resilience. Build your ability to bounce back from failures:

• Practice self-compassion
• Remind yourself of past successes and overcome challenges
• Focus on what you can control and learn from what you can't

By embracing failure as part of the journey, you become more willing to take calculated risks and push beyond your comfort zone, ultimately increasing your chances of success.

10. Prioritize sleep and self-care for long-term success

After a good night's sleep, you should be better able to roll with life's punches.

Establish healthy sleep habits. Prioritize getting adequate, quality sleep to enhance your resilience, creativity, and problem-solving abilities:

• Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night
• Create a consistent sleep schedule
• Develop a relaxing pre-sleep routine
• Optimize your sleep environment (dark, quiet, cool)

Practice self-care. Regularly engage in activities that replenish your energy and reduce stress:

• Exercise regularly
• Eat a balanced diet
• Practice mindfulness or meditation
• Engage in hobbies or activities you enjoy

Maintain work-life balance. Remember that sustainable success requires balancing your professional pursuits with personal well-being:

• Set boundaries between work and personal time
• Take regular breaks throughout the day
• Schedule time for relaxation and social connections

By prioritizing your physical and mental health, you ensure that you have the energy and resilience to consistently work towards your big-thinking goal over the long term.

Last updated: July 25, 2024