The Magic Of Thinking Big

Like the body, the mind is fed, but what it eats are ideas. Bad food leads to nutritional problems, and bad ideas do the same to the mind. The food of the mind comes from the environment. Thus, spending time with negative or petty people tends to make one negative or petty, while associating with people who have big ideas and ambitions tends to guide one toward similarly big aspirations.

As young children, we had big aims—“we made plans to conquer the unknown, to be leaders, to attain positions of high importance, to do exciting and stimulating things, to become wealthy and famous” (148). Soon, though, people told us those dreams were impossible. Kids respond in one of three ways: They surrender completely, partially, or never.

Most people give up entirely and tell themselves they’re fine without their dreams. Those who surrender partially start out with ambitions but soon succumb to fears of failure, disapproval, and loss; they decide their dreams aren’t worth the effort. A small percentage never surrender: They refuse to be cowed or discouraged and instead focus on success.

When someone believes they’ll someday be president of the company, acquaintances may laugh or warn them against getting their hopes up.