Do you dream so small your subconscious feels cramped? Be honest – when was the last time you set a goal that truly ignited your passions and expanded your sense of possibility? If you’re like most professionals I meet, your targets tend to be measured and reasonable rather than wildly adventurous. And while pragmatic goals have their place, there is something powerful about throwing caution to the wind and pursuing ambitious dreams that light you up.
As a Certified Master Business Coach, Certified Executive Coach, and one of the 10 Most Inspiring Transformational Coaches – Globally who has helped dozens of entrepreneurs build disruptive companies from the ground up, I’ve seen firsthand the galvanizing impact of big, hairy, audacious goals. Leaders who set their sights on true game-changers rather than incremental progress end up creating organizations anchored to bold visions rather than modest benchmarks. Their infectious enthusiasm and sense of mission spread throughout their teams.
But the most effective “big thinkers” pair their ambitious visions with rigorous planning and flawless execution. Because without translating lofty aspirations into step-by-step roadmaps, those dreams remain simply pipe dreams.
Here are a few best practices I share with coaching clients on dreaming big while setting yourself up for success:
Give Yourself Permission to Think Epic
What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail? When brainstorming goal ideas, temporarily suspend all constraints. Ignore budget limitations, resource challenges, and competing priorities. What emerges when you dissolve all barriers? Capture even your wildest ideas – you can refine them later.
Get Specific About Timelines and Milestones
Vague goals beget vague efforts. Define clear metrics and deadlines to orient your planning. Even multi-year BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals) should break down into 12-month targets and 90-day objectives to maintain focus on the next hill to climb rather than just the summit.
Pressure Test Your Plan
Thinking through worst-case scenarios or obstacles upfront leads to anticipation rather than reaction. Where might you get pushback? What are the risk factors that could derail progress? Identify and address vulnerabilities so your plan withstands inevitable hurdles.
The most inspiring leaders view setbacks as data rather than defeats. They course correct quickly while never losing sight of the overarching vision. Their indomitable optimism in the face of challenges is a self-fulfilling prophecy to turn lofty goals into reality against all odds.
If you have a BHAG you want to pursue but struggle to translate it into an executable plan, don’t go it alone. As a Celebrity Coach & 7x Winner of the Brian Tracy Award for Sales Excellence with a Ph.D. in GSD with over 15 years of experience advising high performers, I can help you build the bridge between the theoretical and the tangible. Let’s connect for a complimentary coaching consultation to craft a strategy for achieving your biggest goals. With laser focus and flawless execution, even your wildest dreams can come true!
