"Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir your blood...
MAKE BIG PLANS. Aim high in hope and work.…" So wrote Daniel H. Burnham in the last
century. The big plans are important. They capture your vision.
The next step is to break them down into "do-able" chunks, chunks
that can be done in even one day. That is what gives you a
definite sense of accomplishment, isn't it? The big plans are
necessary, the baby steps, imperative!
My daughter shared a marketing tip with me the other day. She
said, "Go big, or go home". I thought about this quite a bit as
it seemed so brash and arrogant. Great slogan, but what about
the little guy? Then, it all made sense. Each person has the
opportunity to define ‘big’ for herself. If we are to live our
dreams and visions about how we want our lives to be, how we want
to be remembered, what our contribution to our daily world could
be, it IS true. Go big or go home!
Have a vision. Have a master plan for your whole life as you
presently see it. What would you like to be doing, experiencing,
being or having in your life, sometime in your life? What are
the things that are most important, significant and valuable to
you? That's big!
After you have created the "big picture" then you can decide
what you would like to create immediately and pay attention to
that. Timing is only one difference between short and long term
goals. Another important difference is that short term goals
lead directly to long term goals which fit perfectly into the
master plan. And the good news is....you are in charge! You can
change your master plan, and your approach to it, as your
interests and priorities shift and grow. You are not locked in.
A master plan is a plan for joy and passion, not a plan for duty
and obligation.
It is useful to break your goals down into three categories:
current, near future and far future. Once you have put your
future goals into your subconscious mind, they are begun. It is
not only action that is required. Keeping your goals in the
forefront of your mind is key. Thoughtfully craft your current
goals. Know how you will measure your success and plan for it.
Think big! Think limitlessly. Think "out of the box". People
are often limited by their minds unwillingness to stretch.
Remember what Napoleon Hill said: "...if you can conceive it, and
believe it, you can achieve it!"
If you find yourself surrounded by people who are ‘thinking
little’, it might be difficult to find support and acceptance for
your big plans. You may have to include some new associates who
want to play ‘big’, too! You have probably heard that, if you
want to run with the big dogs, you have to get off the porch!
Jump off that porch and get running!
Reflect on the biggest view of your lifeyour master plan.
Is it big enough for you? Does it cause you to stretch to get
your arms around it? If not, think a little bigger and see where
it takes you. If it does, be sure you have planned the route
that will get you there. Then, follow it. As you embark on each
task today, ask yourself, "Am I on the road to my vision by doing
this?" If not, make a correction.
Go big or go home! That one little phrase keeps me on my
toes.
About the Author
Rhoberta Shaler, PhD, is a motivational
keynote speaker, corporate team builder and executive coach from
San Diego, CA. She is the creator of The Consociate Way™:
Promoting Performance & Peace in Your Workplace.
Call her at SPEAKING ABOUT WORK, 1.877.728.6464 or email at
RS@SpeakingAboutWork.com. Visit: http://www.SpeakingAboutWork.com
for further information and free ezines.