Are you thinking too small? When you are setting goals or visions for your life or business, are you thinking big enough? People who think big tend to accomplish more than those who don’t.
Here are five reasons why thinking big will help you accomplish more:
1. It creates breakthrough thinking
Thinking big forces us to think outside the box. The same mindset that got our business to its current state will not necessarily be the one to spur us on to the next big accomplishment. When we set low goals (or those we know are easily achievable), we tend to think incrementally. Then those low goals become self-fulfilling prophecies. In order to have breakthroughs, we must think big. Just look at Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, whose big vision beyond airlines helped to launch the market for space tourism!
2. It generates new ideas
When we think big, this forces us to generate new ideas. Consider all of the different breakthroughs in the graphic arts industry, from variable-data printing to AI-driven automation. Consider Melanie Perkins, who at the age of 26 had the ambitious idea to democratize design tools. Perkins had a big vision to simplify the design process for non-designers, leading to the creation of Canva, which now serves millions of users globally.
3. It builds better relationships
Most of us will never achieve big goals by ourselves. We need the support and vision of others. Thinking big will cause us to think about the relationships we need to achieve those goals. As an example, if you set a big goal of doubling your sales volume, you may need to break into new markets in order to do so. This may require you to develop relationships with new suppliers who can help you accomplish more than you could do on your own.
4. It encourages us to serve more
When we think big, we are driven to serve more. If we are helping others reach for higher goals and meeting their needs, then we will have opportunities to reach our own goals. This concept is exemplified by Tony Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos. Hsieh’s big thinking around a customer-centric approach fundamentally changed how e-commerce businesses operate, proving that service can be a competitive advantage.
5. It drives us further
Whether we are the CEO of a company or a salesperson out on the road, the bigger we think, the more we are driven to accomplish our vision, provided that we’re looking at a realistic goal that’s still a stretch. Big thinking drives our actions, our focus, our prioritization, and, in turn, generates ever-greater results. When we accomplish more, we become more passionate, and that provides the fuel for us to go farther, faster.
However you measure it, big thinking can have an amazing impact on the level of success you achieve. In today’s print industry, we often need to think big in order to reinvent our companies and ourselves.
Are you thinking big enough? If so, how has thinking big worked for you?
Bill Prettyman is CEO of Wise, Alpharetta, GA. Wise manufacturers industrial/prime labels and tags, traditional forms, and digitally printed products and services for resale only. For more information, visit www.wbf.com or email Bill at [email protected].
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