Think Big, Act Big

Welcome to 2015. Once again we find ourselves on January 1, the start of a new year, with a blank slate in front of us. It's that arbitrary date when you sit down and formulate plans for the year ahead and resolve to make any number of changes in your world.

With any luck, these resolutions won't fall by the wayside by week's end.

New Year's Day can also be a time for a ton of platitudes. We talk a big talk when the New Year arrives.

You'll undoubtedly throw lots of big ideas out there today, plenty of big hairy audacious goals for the upcoming year. Great resolutions lie ahead. But are you truly ready to make 2015 remarkable?

Talk is cheap. Sure, we talk a big talk on New Year's Day, but then our behaviors reflect something far smaller.

We think big. We act small.

Given that our behaviors and actions are undoubtedly consistent with our self image, what does that say about each of us?

How often do you spend more time and energy seeking permission to change the world instead of asking forgiveness after you have done so?

How often are you more worried about ruffling some feathers, or being concerned about what everyone will say if and when you do?

How often are your decisions based on the absence of negatives rather than the presence of positives?

Are you thinking big? Perhaps more importantly, are you acting big?

Seth Godin has written about the importance of artists and of creating art:

"An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo ... Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient. The medium doesn't matter. The intent does ... Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another.” 

I once read the phrase "If you're not pissing someone off, you probably aren't doing anything important". You know what? Go ahead. Piss someone off, not because that's the primary goal but because when you create art, when you change the world, someone is, without a doubt, going to be upset by a challenge to the status quo. There will be someone whose self image will no longer be validated by the status quo.

I am always reminded of the words of a good friend and mentor of mine - "Never let yourself regress to the mean". Instead of raising their game, many will simply regress to the mean and take you with them. One thing our world doesn't need is more regression.

Think big. Act big.

Do it now. You can change the world and, better yet, it will be a better place because of it.

Photo credits: Never House

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