Dream Big

This week in my studies of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur coupled with interviewing an actual entrepreneur, I am realizing that dreaming big is easier with others on your side. Having a support system to act as sounding boards and cheerleaders helps one to keep pursuing and problem solving to obtain their dreams and reach for the stars. On top of family and friends it is also important to include the Lord in your venture. In a lecture, “Think Big” by Taylor Richards, Richards advises inspiring entrepreneurs that, “You can do it, you can accomplish your goals and dreams that you set and if you involve the Lord, you can do the impossible, you can do amazing things you can do great things…So I challenge you, peruse your goals and dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. And involve the Lord.” 

As I have had the opportunity to work in positions of leadership, I have often said that “Leadership is lonely” and the truth is, it can often be quite lonely as you set out to make big changes or innovate new initiatives. But despite how lonely I might have felt at times in my leadership journey, the Lord was always there to cheer me on, guide me, and direct me. I also realized that I needed to use family and friends to help encourage me. 

Another lesson I learned this week in trying to be successful at achieving a “dream big” attitude came from the old Cherokee parable that Jim Ritchie spoke about in his lecture, “Your Emotional Fingerprint”. He talked about all of us having two wolves that want very different things. When we feed the wolf, or part of us, that is positively dreaming big and starve the wolf, or part of us, that is fearful, we will see greater success. I have always believed that what I put out into the world is often what I get back, so, when I choose to feed the positive side of me, the side that has faith coupled with hard work and an attitude that failure is not an option, I can see my dreams become my reality.