Getting Ahead – Think Big, Act Small

by Kara Johnstad

Are You Looking to Get Ahead? How Big is Our Dream?

Getting ahead in life can seem impossible, but it is within our grasp. How might we take those whisperings of our inner voice and bring them out into the world? How big is our dream? Would we like to write a book, create an album, give a concert as a solo artist? There are many ways to express our essence, or inner calling: from being a restaurant owner to a graphic designer, from being a healer to a top performer.

Perhaps the question is, how can we stay on purpose with so many things pulling at us? So often, we set out to follow our calling, only to be side-tracked by our daily life. We end up placing our mind maps and grand ideas in our “important papers” file in the desk drawer.

Slicing Down the Big Idea into Smaller Pieces

We might think of our big idea like a pie or delicious cake. Start by dividing the project into small slices-12 slices, or milestones-that we can accomplish as part of a yearly project. From these 12 slices, we then break it down into about 20 steps a month. We can see how much more manageable this is. When we define our path to success, it becomes less overwhelming.

The Key in Getting Ahead is Taking Baby Steps

Every song, article, or book is written line by line, page by page, hour by hour, and step by step. Consider this from Dr. Jean Houston, a scholar, philosopher and researcher in Human Capacities:

“I really don’t like to write. I think writing is one of the most difficult tasks of all. You’re facing the blank computer, you’re facing the blank page…, and you’re hoping prose will emerge and it’s a sense that you have to pull up from yourself all manner of qualities, all manner of selves, really. So, it makes sense that the local self is in resistance because it really doesn’t want you to turn the page on your own history. You are off on a desert island of yourself.”

Jean’s secret is writing a chapter a month. At the end of the year, she gives it to her editor and it is released as a book. She is considered a prolific writer and has 26 published top-selling books. Jean understands the secret behind the formula, Think Big, Act Small. Finish a song a month and you have an album a year. Finish a chapter a month and you have a book a year. It is that simple.

Advice in Getting Ahead

It is best to be practical when looking forward to a getting ahead on a project, so here is some advice to keep in mind:

Be Sure to Set a Realistic Goal

Self-publishing makes it possible to write a mini-book and put it into the marketplace. Likewise, musicians can produce a single instead of an album. Musically, more people are buying favorite tracks at iTunes, rather than full albums.

Rather than be frustrated, you have the power to be more assured of your direction by setting goal steps that are realistic. Realistic goals give us a feeling of accomplishment. Instead of being hard on ourselves and reacting in frustration, we can act with more assurance in tune with our steps.

Do Not Be Afraid to Fail

Like the cake example earlier, we break down our project into small steps. Sometimes, we take two steps forward and then fall back and sit a while. Everyone falls and fails, so it is important to not be afraid to stumble along the way. The important part is to move on. In the words of Charles F. Kettering, one of the most ingenious inventors of modern times:

“Virtually nothing comes out right the first time. Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. The only time you don’t want to fail is the last time you try something…. One fails forward toward success.” Also – “It is not a disgrace to fail. Failing is one of the greatest arts in the world.”

Be attentive, so that each step takes us in the direction of our dreams and towards our goal.

Leave the Role of Superhero Behind

A big factor in getting ahead with our goals is the idea of operating in the role of a superhero. We envision moving through life discouragement-free or risk-free. Growth is a balancing act, full of constant change and adjustment. The best trick is getting all the body and mind systems coordinated and working together.

So, enjoy being simple and humble. We must allow ourselves to drop the superhero role. Be excited about the fact that we can do anything we set our mind to. Give our full attention to every step along the path, and grant ourselves encouragement and applause for all we accomplish in getting ahead.

About the Author

Kara Johnstad is an OM Times Expert, Transformational Catalyst and a powerful voice in the time and age of transition. She is an acclaimed singer/songwriter, producer, sound healer and international voice expert. Founder of Voice Your Essence, Kara has helped thousands with her “Break-Through” Technique and shares with us the role the voice plays in fine tuning our body-mind-spirit systems and healing humanity. Tune into Kara’s Livestream every Thursday at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on the Humanity Healing Facebook page as we co-create a more conscious world. Enroll in her OMTimes Expert classes on Learn It Live, and discover more at http://www.karajohnstad.com/