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Dream Bigger ©2007, Kimberly V. Schneider, LPC
As I
write this article we have just passed
the Summer Solstice: the earth’s
longest day; zenith of the sun’s
strength. In this season of light and
heat I always experience increased
energy and an enhanced sense that
anything is possible. Of late
I have felt increasingly hopeful about
human possibilities, in particular. My
work with clients offers me a firsthand
glimpse of our species’ beauty,
resiliency and potential for
transformation. Over and over again I
am privileged to witness people become
more than they ever imagined they could
be. In
discussing human potential, author and
Marketing Guru Dan Kennedy often refers
to the “80/20” rule—a theory which
states that, given the same useful
information and opportunity, only 20 of
100 people will choose to apply that
information and take advantage of the
opportunity. 5 of the smaller group of
20 will become “superstars,” continuing
to stretch themselves and integrate all
the new information they can into
massive action that leads to enormous
success. 1 of the 5 will rise to the
absolute top of their game. What’s
interesting about the 80/20 rule (which,
incidentally has proven true in sports,
academia and business) is that each of
the 100 has absolute control over where
she or he will fall—in the group of 80,
20, 5 or 1. I can
almost hear some of you objecting to my
last statement, citing unequal
distribution of talent, environment and
personality. Yet every human endeavor
is replete with examples of those who
rose above what seemed to be
insurmountable limitations. These are
the stories that inspire and challenge
us, for they remind us of our own
possibilities.
Certainly you can think of myriad
examples in your own life, people you’ve
read about and people you know, who have
accomplished the truly extraordinary.
One of the biggest differences between
the extraordinary people in our midst
and the rest of the population is that
the people we perceive as extraordinary
were able to consistently imagine
themselves doing extraordinary things.
A study
at Harvard University found that people
who have “BHAGs” (that is “Big Hairy
Audacious Goals”) are many times more
likely to realize their dreams then the
people whose goals initially seem more
attainable. Do you
have a BHAG in your life? Or are you
still focusing on small, “realistic”
goals? In this season of summer, I
invite you to dream bigger. Allow
yourself to hold a vision that would
make you so excited to be alive that
your day to day experience would be
wonder and joy. Surround yourself with
people, books and programs that push you
to stretch beyond your habitual patterns
into the Land of All Possibilities.
What is your purpose in life? What must
you do while on this planet? What are
you doing right now to make it happen?
Dream
bigger this summer. Call upon the light
and warmth of the sun to expand your
vision and empower your choices. And
then focus on your Big Dreams until they
light a fire under you. May the power of the Solstice sun be yours, Kim |