It’s a well known fact that people who expect success more often than not receive it and the higher their expectations, the greater their success. In reviewing the achievements made by the biggest movers and shakers of our time, it is readily apparent that these people, whether they be elite athletes, great teachers or successful in business, all have one thing in common: an unwavering commitment to excellence and an unbreakable belief in their ability to attain such excellence. These remarkable people set their goals high, put in place foundations that will enable them to work toward these goals and cultivate a winning attitude conducive to the realization of all that they want in life. But the key factor in all of this is their willingness to dream big. After all, many of our major accomplishments often appear impossible to achieve when we first begin working toward them. What separates those who think big and achieve their goals from those who do not is the former’s ability to truly believe they can attain all they wish for. Once one has cultivated such an attitude they will stop at nothing until they have achieved their objectives. If you believe something is possible and it does not come to pass, you will usually continue searching for ways to manifest its reality in your life; you will work harder and smarter to achieve what you know is achievable. You may call it stubbornness or determination, but whatever it is it works.

As most of us know, we are in complete control of our thoughts. How we program our minds reflects the life we live. If we make a simple attitude adjustment to where impressive accomplishments dominate our thinking and where we believe we can transform dreams into reality, this will create the opportunities we need to prosper and grow. But if succeeding in this fashion really is this simple, then why do so few people experience the kind of remarkable success reserved for the esteemed pioneers of industry and creativity that have revolutionized the world in which we live? Why do so many people settle for mediocrity over a life of substance and success?     
  

The reason why many people often confine their thinking to what is easily achievable rather than that which takes more effort but reaps greater rewards is because they may have previously experienced defeat. Experiencing defeat is nothing unusual. We all encounter it and, for most of us, the setbacks we face make us stronger and more resilient. However, each time we are confronted with a task that requires great effort – regardless of what we have previously achieved – we experience, to a greater or lesser degree, a fear of failure. And this fear of failure is what keeps many of us from thinking big. Accepting a routine life of mediocrity provides a more comfortable existence, one which seldom overwhelms through the laying bare of our perceived incompetency. Those who achieve at high levels are often not particularly gifted in their area of expertise. Rather, they are fully committed to what they are doing, and relish the daily challenges their environment provides. Fear of failure does not stop them from moving ahead as they know there is always risk involved when major tasks are to be completed; they get on with the job regardless. Further, such individuals have accepted that they will accomplish their objectives and that nothing will stop them from doing so. In fact, by establishing such thinking as a habit your untapped potential will begin to emerge; you will no longer be locked into a restrictive mindset which limits the success you will achieve and, more importantly, the lengths you will go to attain it. Within all of us is the ability to achieve greatness. But this all begins with the quality of our thoughts. Think big, plan and work accordingly and there is nothing to stop you from being the best at what you do.   

About the author:
David Robson is a New Zealand-based professional freelance writer, book author, personal trainer and health and fitness expert. With his sound scientific and academic credentials he has helped thousands of people achieve their health and fitness goals both through his written works and guidance. As a staff writer, David’s articles can be read in leading health and fitness periodical Status Fitness Magazine. David can be contacted at: davidrobson19@hotmail.co.nz or at his website: davidrobsonelite.com