Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for his strong messages. And he is the best example of how he puts them into practice.
He is a world-renowned bodybuilder, famous actor and former governor of California. He has achieved this in a single lifetime. Without long detours. But with a sophisticated strategy.
One of his rules is: never think small. Think big the other way around
This rule is the basis of our further development. And our ability to achieve truly amazing things.
Recently during a conversation. My counterpart said with conviction: I want to grow, I want to achieve more at the age of 65. Quit? Retire? NO! I'll work until I'm 80! I want to leave my children a highly profitable, healthy company with different focuses. And they are in the process of growing into the company succession.
That's what I call "Think Big"!
There will be defeats and setbacks. For sure. It's completely normal. A willingness to take risks is a pretty important characteristic of a company owner, a manager. Of course, pros and cons are weighed up. Every person has to deal with their own hidden fears, face up to their limitations and overcome them.
Far too often, it is our own (sometimes long-standing) thoughts, fears and beliefs that prevent us from
from thinking big - from daring to do the impossible. They block us from moving forward.
Because the fear of failure is breathing down our necks.
But hasn't this "Think Big" brought us further, much further, as a society, not just as individuals?
We are no longer traveling by horse-drawn carriage. Instead, we get into our newly purchased electric car or take a high-speed train (if it runs in Germany) or the latest generation of subway trains.
Because people before us have not been deterred. They thought big - discovered new things with their spirit of research. They have hoped, worked further, researched further, developed further.
If it hadn't been for Luigi Galvani, for example, today's electroplating industry would probably be called something else.
Please step in front of the curtain Signor Luigi Aloisio Galvani
- Born in 1737 and died in 1798 in Bologna, Italy
- Studied theology, later medicine
- Experimental doctor, anatomist and naturalist
- Memorable day: on November 6, 1780, he accidentally discovered the galvanism named after him during an experiment on frogs' legs: He created an electric circuit out of copper and iron rather by chance. He thus created the basis for the further development of galvanic cells.
- Later, electroplating technology was named after him.
Ingenious, what long-term and unexpected effects a little "playing" with wire can have!
But ... Far too often we encounter people who try to convince us that our dreams are unrealistic or too big. There are countless of them. They are called critics or pessimists.
And what should not be underestimated: Hurdles that need to be overcome.
Do you only see limits?
- Exorbitantly high energy prices as a stumbling block for successful electroplating companies?
- The search for THE ingenious master electroplater is like looking for a needle in a haystack and can therefore never be crowned with success?
- Annoying requirements from the authorities for upcoming approval procedures?
- The only and, above all, long-standing customer suddenly drops out because their product portfolio has changed?
Do you want to be successful? Then persevere!
And have the courage to believe in your visions and goals. This is essential in order to ultimately achieve your vision.
Achieving big goals is like running a marathon - not a sprint. Keep at it, practice, just do it, the goal - follow your vision.
"The Seagull Jonathan" by Richard Bach grabbed me in my early 20s. I was fascinated by the unlimited possibilities. It was almost incomprehensible to me, impossible, what this little seagull achieved against all odds.
"Why is it so terribly difficult to convince a bird of its freedom," said Jonathan musingly. "Everyone is free and can use their freedom - they just have to practise it. Is it really that difficult?"
"Believe in boundaries, and they are yours." Well, it's not the circumstances, not the people around us, not staff shortages, high prices, incompetent officials, umpteen laws. It's our own mental limitations that prevent us from thinking big.
At the end of the book, the seagull Jonathan says to his protégé Fletcher Lynd: "Don't trust your eyes. Whatever they show you is only limitation. Trust your mind, raise to consciousness what is within you, and you will know and fly."
So if you want to fly and achieve your big goals, but somehow it doesn't work out so easily and you notice that things are grinding to a halt and you are inevitably reaching your limits, then I am happy to be your sparring partner. We will take an inquisitive look at the bigger picture, find suitable solutions for your "Thing Big" together and you will implement the necessary next steps.
