Like you, I've heard all the slogans: Think Big! Dream Great Dreams! Attempt the Impossible! And like you, I've jumped on board. It is vital to think big! It is important to dream great dreams!

But sometimes, after a long day of work, when you're ready to drop to the floor, thinking about those Big Dreams is enough to send you running for the nearest dark closet.

Big Dreams, patooey! You'll be lucky to get dinner on the table.

Have you ever had times like that? Lately, I've had a lot of those days. Days when I've been so exhausted I could barely remember all those neatly categorized goals, let alone act on them. They were simply too big; too lofty for the energy I had left at the end of the day.

I've watched in sadness as day after day turned into week after week of not doing a thing to further my dreams.

I was getting desperate! I had to do something. And criticizing myself was not helping! I love to make lists. So I decided to approach my list-making a little differently. I thought I'd take a goal and think of one tiny, and I mean tiny, step that I might have energy for that evening after work. So, that's what I did. I took the goal of finishing another course in my doctoral program. That day I wrote down, "Write one paragraph on current assignment." One paragraph! I figured I could do that in 15 minutes.

That evening I did indeed go to the computer for that one paragraph. And what a surprise; I actually wrote two! That's when I realized that if I could kindly "trick" myself into a small task, I just might get in the mood to accomplish more.

Yet the beautiful thing is, I only have to do that original little daily bit to feel good about myself. And it's funny how all those little bits add up to some pretty big bits over time. So I am steadily advancing towards those Big Dreams after all. (Yes, I did finish that course.)

Today, read just 5 pages of that great book, listen to only 15 minutes of that inspirational tape, or make that one phone call!.

And yes, yes, yes, think Big! But remember, sometimes you have to think small to think Big. Happy succeeding.

Copyright 2000 Brenda Maxfield. Used with permission. Brenda Maxfield lives in Costa Rica. Click here for Great Links  Brenda can be reached at PBMaxfield@email.com