Think Big Start Small
Thing Big – Start Small
As leaders we need to always be dreaming big, but willing to start small – Think big start small. Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night and the power is out. You’re needing to make your way to the restroom, but you can’t see anything. What are you going to do? Are you going to wait until morning when the sun comes up or the power comes back on? No, if you’re like me you start slowly feeling your way along, first the edge of the bed, then the wall, other objects, one small step at a time gradually making your way to the door way and finally to the destination. To get where you are going requires that you only take one step at a time always moving toward the destination, the vision. You don’t have to be able to see every detail and all that the journey requires, just enough to take that first small step. Thing big start small.
Take the Next Step
Often as leaders we are waiting until we can see everything clearly and have everything figured out and everything is perfect before we move. We want to step into the big place and big success. In my experience success usually occurs after beginning with small steps without knowing everything. Just taking the next step moving forward. Too many people hesitate to begin because they cannot comprehend the entire journey. Too many aren’t willing to go through the humble beginnings often needed to prepare for God’s ultimate position.
I have met and talked with many Bible school students and others who share their dream and vision with great hope and expectation. They are excited about their plans and what they want to accomoplish. However, until you are willing to pursue that vision with the initial small steps it only remains a dream. I’ve watch those who begin in small ways, with what they have and then every day they keep moving forward until eventually they step into a bigger place. Then I’ve watched those who just keep waiting and dreaming, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years and they never get started. It is what you are willing to do in the beginning and being consistant with the small things that opens the way to the bigger.
Zechariah 4:10 tells us, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
Four Advantages to Starting Small
Here are four advantages to starting small:
1) It is easier to get started
Often the hardest thing to do is get started. The hardest part of peeling an orange is getting started. The hardest part of putting a jigsaw puzzel together is getting started. When we make the first step so small and easy that it doesn’t seem overwhelming or impossible we are more likely to start. Then the success of that first small step will be an encouragment to you and motivate you to take the next step.
2) It is easier to make adjustments
After taking the first step or two often adjustments are needed. Things unexpect happen, initial results are different than projected or some other situation requires making changes. The smaller the step the easier and quicker the adjustment. If you launched big adjustments can be very difficult, expensive, or even impossible to make.
3) Mistakes are not as costly and easier to overcome
The greatest risk for mistakes is usually in the beginning stages, If you start big and make a huge mistake the set back make be too large to overcome. It provides the necessary step to reach the next level.
4) They sets you up for future growth.
Starting small qualifies you for bigger and better things. It provides the necessary step to reach the next level. If you can’t successfully lead one person, who is going to entrust you with an entire division? It is in the small things you learn and get prepared for the bigger. Before David defeated the giant, he defeated the lion and the bear. God promotes those who first prove faithful in the little.
Don’t despise the seeming smallness of the necessary tasks in front of you. You never know where they’ll lead. Don’t be too proud to start small.
Don’t despise the days of small beginning… THINK BIG START SMALL!