Lightbulb image with text reading The Power of Thinking Big

If there's one thing that can be said about business, it's that big thinkers often have an edge over their competitors. When you're able to dream big and see the possibilities for your business, the sky's the limit. If you want to achieve more, you need to set your sights high and shoot for the stars.

The concept of “thinking big” in business is not a new one. In fact, it’s been a part of the entrepreneurial mindset since the dawn of commerce. However, the idea of thinking big has taken on a new significance in the current business landscape, where innovation and disruption are becoming increasingly essential for success. In this blog post, we’ll explore the power of thinking big in business, and how it can help you take your business to the next level.

Thinking big is all about having a vision that extends beyond the immediate future. It’s about identifying opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and taking bold steps to address them. It’s about staying focused on long-term goals. It’s about being ambitious, and not being afraid to dream big. By thinking big, you create a mindset that is focused on growth, innovation, and progress.

One of the most significant advantages of thinking big in business is that it helps you see the bigger picture. When you’re focused on the details of day-to-day operations, it can be easy to lose sight of the broader context of your business. However, by thinking big, you force yourself to take a step back and look at the big picture. This can help you identify trends, patterns, and opportunities that you might otherwise miss. It also helps you stay ahead of the curve, as you’re better positioned to anticipate changes in the market and adapt to them.

Another advantage of thinking big is that it forces you to take risks. When you’re focused on small, incremental improvements, you’re less likely to take the kind of risks that can lead to big breakthroughs. However, by thinking big, you’re more likely to take calculated risks that can pay off in a big way. Of course, not every risk will pay off, but by taking calculated risks, you’ll increase your chances of success.

Thinking big also helps you attract top talent. When you have a big, ambitious vision for your business, you’re more likely to attract employees who share that vision. These are the kind of employees who are motivated by more than just a paycheck – they want to be part of something big and meaningful. By attracting top talent, you create a virtuous cycle that feeds on itself. The more talented people you have working for you, the more you can accomplish, and the more attractive your business becomes to even more top talent.

Perhaps most importantly, thinking big in business helps you create a sense of purpose. When you have a big vision for your business, you’re not just in it for the money – you’re in it to make a difference. This sense of purpose can be incredibly motivating, both for yourself and for your team. It helps you stay focused, even when things get tough, and it provides a sense of direction that can be invaluable in guiding your decision-making.

Of course, thinking big isn’t always easy. In reality, it can be quite daunting to set your sights on something that seems out of reach. However, by breaking down your big vision into smaller, more manageable goals, you can make progress towards your big vision one step at a time. This incremental approach can help you build momentum and gain confidence as you move towards your ultimate goal.

Here are five tips for putting this theory into practice and achieving business success.

1. Believe in your ability to achieve big things and stay accountable.

When it comes to being a leader, believing in yourself and your ability to achieve great things is essential. Without self-confidence, leaders can easily become derailed by self-doubt and fear, resulting in missed opportunities and lackluster results. However, leaders who have faith in their abilities are capable of achieving extraordinary things. By thinking big and taking bold actions, they can inspire others to greatness and create a lasting impact.

You’ll like face challenges and make mistakes along the way, and as a leader you need to recognize that you are accountable for your actions and decisions. This means taking responsibility when things go wrong and being willing to face the consequences. It also means being open to feedback and criticism, using it to improve your leadership skills. Leaders who are not accountable will not be successful in the long run. Be transparent about your shortcomings, and be willing to learn from your mistakes.

Successful leaders are unafraid of failure, knowing that taking risks is essential to achieving greatness. They also understand that failure is not a setback but an opportunity to learn and grow. By embracing challenges, they inspire their teams to push beyond their limits and achieve things they never thought possible.

2. Surround yourself with supportive people and invest in performance coaching.

Surrounding yourself with supportive people and seeking help from professionals can be instrumental in achieving your goals and ambitions. It is essential to have a strong network of positive individuals who encourage and motivate you to pursue your aspirations. A lack of support can lead to demotivation and derail your progress, so building a circle of supporters who believe in your vision is crucial.

It is okay to ask for help when you need it. No one can accomplish everything alone, and leaning on others for their expertise and resources can prove beneficial. Professional performance coaches and productivity consultants can guide and support you in identifying your goals, developing a plan to achieve them, and keeping you on track. Additionally, they can provide encouragement and motivation during difficult times and help you overcome self-doubt or negative thinking.

Recent research conducted by MetrixGlobal LLC revealed that coaching had a significant influence on at least one of nine company metrics in 77% of cases for a Fortune 500 firm. They found that coaching positively impacted productivity and employee satisfaction, with productivity improving by 5% and employee happiness rising by 10%.

Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people and seeking help from professionals like coaches can increase your chances of success. Investing in performance coaching is an investment that can pay off in the long run.

If you are looking for a coach, consider exploring the consulting, workshop, and keynote opportunities offered by Curt Steinhorst.

3. Work towards your big goals step by step & learn as you go.

drawing of ladder to depict achieving big goals

Just as important as your big goals is the ability to break them down into smaller, achievable steps. By taking one step at a time, you can make progress without getting overwhelmed by the big picture. Additionally, taking small steps allows you to learn as you go, adjust your approach, and make necessary changes to your plan. Every step taken towards your big goals brings you closer to achieving them, so stay focused on the process, celebrate your small successes, and keep moving forward. Remember, success is not achieved overnight, but rather through consistent effort and progress over time.

4. Take action — don't be afraid to start, even if you're not sure how it will turn out.

Too often, we allow our doubts and fears to prevent us from taking action. We tell ourselves that we're not ready and need more experience or knowledge. It's easy to get bogged down in the details of a project and lose sight of the big picture. When this happens, it can be difficult to take the first step because we're not sure how it will turn out. But the truth is, there's never a perfect time to start. And even if we're not sure how something will turn out, it's always better to take action and learn from our mistakes than to do nothing at all. When we think big and utilize resources, we can take advantage of opportunities and build towards our goals.

Taking action typically involves some degree of risk, which holds many people back from achieving big things. According to Leadership IQ, taking risks is something that only 28% of people enjoy, but there is substantial variation depending on one's position in the corporate hierarchy. Taking risks, for example, is popular among 40% of top executives, but just 24% of front-line workers share this opinion. It’s not surprising that the willingness to take risks is higher among top executives than lower-level employees. Executives often face less severe consequences of failure compared to line employees. They may have more job security, career experience, and financial backing to fall back on.

But don’t wait until you have “executive” status to take action. Starting is often the hardest part, but once you get going, the momentum will carry you through. Remember, even if you're not sure how it will turn out, taking action is always better than doing nothing.

5. Celebrate every accomplishment as a step closer to achieving your ultimate goal.

Big thinking starts with small accomplishments. Every time you celebrate an accomplishment, no matter how big or small, you are one step closer to achieving your ultimate goal. When you are thinking big, it's easy to get discouraged when you don't see results immediately. But when you focus on the small accomplishments along the way, it will help keep you motivated and moving in the right direction.

This doesn't mean that you should get complacent; instead, view each accomplishment as a motivating force that propels you forward. Use your successes as a way to gauge your progress and adjust your strategy as needed. Eventually, all of those small steps will add up to big results. So celebrate every accomplishment as a step closer to achieving your big goals.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, the power of thinking big in business cannot be overstated. By having a big, ambitious vision for your business, you create a mindset that is focused on growth, innovation, progress, and purpose. You’re better positioned to see the big picture, take calculated risks, attract top talent, and create a sense of satisfaction for yourself and your team. While thinking big isn’t always easy, it’s essential for success in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. So, if you’re not already thinking big, it’s time to start.