We’re Not Thinking Big Enough

We’re Not Thinking Big Enough

Supersize Me

“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” — Doc Brown, Back to the Future

Let me describe your typical business owner routine:

  1. Knock out a bunch of tasks on your list
  2. Meet with your team so they can knock out a bunch of tasks on their list
  3. Add more tasks to your list and their list for the next “round”

In a nutshell, this is business ownership.

This won’t be another newsletter on how to work on your business, instead I want to talk about thinking big.

My business partner and I recently attended a conference where we met other entrepreneurs, operators, and investors. We separately came to the same conclusion about our businesses: “we’re not thinking big enough.”

What does “thinking big” mean?

Thinking big is dreaming, it’s 10x, it’s non-linear — What could my business be? What could my life be? What could my earnings be?

It’s taking the absolute endgame for your goals and desires, then working backward to make it a reality.

Thinking big doesn’t mean:

  • How to add the next customer or 10% growth (linear thinking)
  • Daydreaming about $1 billion outcomes with no plan
  • Ignoring details, discipline, or constraints

Thinking big does mean:

  • Choosing goals that genuinely stretch you
  • Working on problems that matter beyond the next paycheck
  • Making decisions based on where you want to be in 3-10 years

As a litmus test: if a “big goal” wouldn’t force you to do something completely different, hard, or new; then it’s probably too small.

Why should this matter to you?

A big vision forces thoughtful planning and decision-making. If your goal is to knock out a punch-list of tasks this week, then that’s all you’ll accomplish (while saying yes to more punch-listy items).

This will force your brain to think about non-linear paths and solutions to problems. Examples: Is this client/project/idea truly aligned with where I want to go? Will this task/tool/hire help me get to 10x?

Also, thinking big doesn’t have to mean growth. It’s perfectly fine to have a small, well-run business; but perhaps thinking big to you is working fewer hours or with less stress.

Some examples:

  • Small thinking: “How can I make an extra $500-1,000 this month?”
  • Big thinking: “How can I make an extra $5,000 every month without my involvement?”

At Profit Mastery, I envision a future where we have multiple training offerings plus software plus services to guide complete financial newbies all the way to seasoned CFOs.

How to think bigger

Here’s a simple framework to get you in the thinking-big-zone:

  1. Zoom out 10x — Ask yourself what 10x would mean for you (personally) or your business.
  2. Choose one mega goal — Could be building a business that runs without you, or getting out of a specific role, or getting to your target number.
  3. Work backward — Now ask: “if this were already true, what would have to happen?” This is the world you want to live in.
  4. Break that into milestones — With that endgame reality, you can start outlining what needs to change from today. Set 3-5 major milestones to get there. And start aligning your current workload with steps to move in that direction.
  5. Revisit every few months — Set a recurring calendar appointment with this 10x mega goal and your milestones in the details. Check in on yourself for regular encouragement.