The Power of Thinking Big

By Dr. Kerry Petsinger

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford

Are you letting yourself think big?

Or are you playing small?

Think of a really big dream you have for your life.

When you think about it, what happens? Do you feel energized and ready to do anything it takes to make your big dream your reality? Or, is your mind instantly flooded with all the reasons why your dream is impossible (“I don’t have the money, I don’t have the connections, I’m not educated enough, It’s just not practical, I don’t have the time…”)?

What if I told you that simply thinking there’s a way is the first step to making your dream your reality?

In The Magic of Thinking Big, Dr. David Schwartz writes, “When you believe there is a way you automatically convert negative energy (let’s quit, let’s go back) into positive energy (let’s keep going, let’s move ahead).” He says problems become unsolvable only when you start thinking they are unsolvable, and he recommends, “Refuse, simply refuse, to even let yourself say or think that it’s impossible.”

Here are some tips to start thinking big:

1. Reframe your thoughts

Start thinking in positive terms instead of negative terms. When you come across a difficulty in your path, when you think “I have no idea how to solve this,” tell yourself “I don’t know how to do this, but I’m going to learn how, or I’ll find someone to help me get this figured out.”

2. Be aware of what you feed your mind

Read inspiring articles and books that open your mind to possibilities.

3. Treat yourself like a friend

If your friend told you their biggest life dream, would you bust out laughing and tell him or her all the reasons why that dream is impossible? Probably not. More than likely, you’d say something like “Wow, that’s awesome. If anyone can do it, you can. You have my full support and I’m here to encourage you along the way.”

Practice treating yourself like a friend. Ditch the negative self-talk and start treating yourself like the amazing person that you are.

4. Surround yourself with awesome people

One of the best ways to make your big dreams your reality is to surround yourself with people who are already doing what you aspire to do. This is one of my favorite life hacks of all time. Surround yourself with inspiring people who think big. If you don’t have anyone in your personal life who has similar dreams, connect with people in online forums, read books about them, study their habits…make it a priority to learn from these people.

Most importantly, never stop dreaming.

Richard Branson, a very successful entrepreneur, writes, “Don’t ever let anyone prevent you from dreaming. Imagination is one of our greatest gifts. Without it we would never make the changes that make the world a better place.”