LME 055 – Big Goals: Why Thinking Small Won’t Get You Far
Today, we’re diving into something many leaders and entrepreneurs struggle with. Setting big goals. Not just realistic goals. Not just manageable goals.
I’m talking about bold, ambitious, almost crazy goals and why you should have them.
Because here’s the thing: small goals might feel safe, but they’ll never push you or your business to greatness.
Let’s talk about how big goals transform your mindset, your team, and your results and how you can start setting goals that scare you just enough to move you forward.
Why We Avoid Big Goals
So, let’s start with a simple question:
Why don’t we set big goals?
Most people and yes, that includes many manages and entrepreneurs, set modest goals.
They tell themselves they’re just being realistic. They don’t want to set themselves up for failure.
Sound familiar?
But let’s be honest: often, it’s fear. Fear of failure. Fear of ridicule. Fear of dreaming too big and not getting there.
But here’s the kicker. By playing small, you limit what’s even possible.
Big goals, on the other hand, shift your perspective. They create energy. They challenge your current habits and structures. They force you to grow.
The Magic of a Big Goal
Let me share a quick story with you.
When I started building my online leadership business, my first thought wasn’t
“Let’s just help a few managers.”
No. I imagined helping thousands of business leaders across the globe. A YouTube channel, online courses, a podcast: the whole thing.
Now, at the time, that felt… wild.
I had zero subscribers. Zero online clients. No content.
But that big vision? It pulled me forward. It shaped every decision. It made me act differently and more boldly.
I didn’t reach every milestone I imagined, but I got a lot further than if I had just said:
“Let’s see if I can sell a couple of coaching sessions.”
That’s the power of a big goal.
What Big Goals Do to Your Brain
When you set a big goal, I mean a really big one, your brain switches modes.
Instead of asking:
“What’s the next logical step?”
…you start asking:
“What would need to be true for this to happen?”
That’s a very different question.
You start looking for leverage.
You start questioning your assumptions. You start delegating. Automating. Prioritizing.
In short: you stop doing more of the same and start doing things differently.
But Isn’t That Unrealistic?
Now, I hear this a lot:
“But Bernd – shouldn’t goals be realistic?”
And yes, if you’re planning next month’s marketing budget, sure. Be realistic.
But for your vision? For your 3-year ambition? For the kind of business you want to build?
Realistic is often just another word for mediocre.
You can’t lead a team, inspire people, or innovate with “safe” goals.
People don’t rally behind average. They rally behind a mission.
How to Set Big Goals Without Going Crazy
Alright, so how do you set big goals without getting overwhelmed or stuck in fantasy land?
Here’s a simple structure I use:
- Dream Big:
Set the big, audacious goal. Something that excites you and scares you a little. - Break it down:
What would be true 6 months from now if you were on track? What about 1 month? - Take the first bold step:
Not the easiest step. The boldest one. The one that creates momentum.
And remember: you don’t need to know exactly how it will work. You just need to move.
Here’s the truth: Big goals are uncomfortable.
They’ll make you doubt yourself. They’ll stretch you. But they will also change you.
And whether you reach them exactly or not: You’ll end up miles ahead of where you started.
So… what’s your big goal?
And more importantly: what’s the first bold step you’ll take today?
