Small dreams are an essential piece to the larger vision, but they are not a substitute for a big dream. They help keep us on track and break the process down into milestones along the way.
Smaller dreams motivate the short-term vision and enable us to continue moving forward and making progress. However, I believe that there are three major dangers that come when we only have a small dream:
The first major danger of only having a small dream is that it isn’t motivating to complete.
It’s harder to come up with a real reason or a “why” when our dream is small. It is a less passionate goal without a great “why” attached, and where there isn’t a burning “why” there is complacency. Comfortability can set in, and we can feel as though we don’t need to begin right away.
Procrastination can stem out of a small dream because we know it is easily attainable, so we can take our time or press pause because we can get it done. The problem with that thought process is that most of the time it will never get done because we will continue to push it off for tomorrow.
The second major danger of only having a small dream is that a small dream does not challenge you.
The lack of a challenging goal makes us think we don’t need to start now. Just like a small dream isn’t motivating, when it also doesn’t challenge you, it is a means for procrastination. A weak “why” allows us to take our time and get it done whenever. There is no sense of urgency because there is no challenge.
A challenging dream will take us out of our comfort zone, which also means a challenging dream will cause us to change. But if we dream small, we’ll begin to make excuses about not seeing it through. The dream doesn’t seem like a big deal to us because it won’t make a huge difference in our lives.
The third major danger to only having a small dream is that a small dream can be completed entirely on your own, which means you rely on your own ability and discipline.
That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but there’s something about having a dream that’s bigger than you that can inspire others along the way.
There is more drive to get in the fight and bring others along with you when your dream is not easily completed by yourself. You are holding yourself more accountable when you take others along, and you now have something to complete that will directly affect others if you don’t. If we rely on our own strength and ability, there is no need for anyone else.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt
I believe that we should dream a dream that is just out of our reach so we have to rely on God to help us complete it. Even though they seem impossible to us, they are simple to Him. He loves getting us to a place where we can’t because it’s in that place that He can. Don’t be scared of a larger dream because it means it’s no longer just about you.
Do you have a dream? Are you working to develop one? I encourage you to dream larger. Find that dream that will motivate you, challenge you, and bring others along. Make it a dream that kind of scares you. A dream needs to be large enough that it’s worth fighting for.
Are you having trouble finding that dream that gets you out the door every day? I encourage you to pick up a copy of “The Magic of Thinking Big” by ….. I talked about what this book did for me a couple videos back, and I know it will expand your vision too!
My first book, Mind Over Marathon: Overcoming mental Barriers in the Race of Life, is on pre-sale now! It is about discovering your dreams and taking them from inception to a flourishing finish. If you’re looking to ignite passion and purpose in your life, clarify your unique game plan, and build confidence in who you are, this book will take you there!
Now, don’t get me wrong, small dreams ARE good if they lead to a larger dream. Think of the smaller dreams as goals that are stepping stones to a greater vision. But stretch yourself to dream huge and find something that is bigger than yourself that you can pour your passions into! It’s always worth it!
Dream huge, and, remember, you are a winner. Just run YOUR race!
I’d love to hear from you! Can you turn your small dreams into stepping stones to a larger one? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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