Are You Too Busy to Think Big? by Cara Lumen

I so did not want to read this book. I'm busy. I'm up to here with projects and ideas and clients. If I'm not thinking bigger then I sure am busy not doing it. Michael Port's Think Big Manifesto gave me the opportunity to closely examine exactly what I was and was not achieving.

As I read I began to underline things that were important to me, that held meaning, and suggested opportunities. Was all my busy-ness about doing big things? Or small things? When did I schedule time to look at why I was doing things the way I was? What vision was I using as my measuring stick? I began looking inside for the answers to those questions.

As I read I began to question both my personal life and my business life. The section on the importance of collaboration shouted at me. I'm a loner, I like doing things by myself, but through this book I began to see collaboration is a major place for me to consider making a "think bigger" change - while being true to myself, while staying authentic, while moving out of my think-small comfort zone. I began to get ideas - more teleclasses, smaller chunks, home study courses. But wait, isn't that what I've been doing? Isn't that well within my comfort zone because I'm good at it? Where do I need to place myself in order to stretch, to offer more, to make a bigger difference? I kept reading.

Only recently have I become very clear about my core and I'm 76 - so don't give up. When the book asked "Will you be happy doing what you're doing in 20 years" my mind flew to age 96. And yes, every day I'm getting closer to being so deeply in service that each day is a blessing. With age has come the opportunity to do exactly what I want to do and be with only the people who inspire and motivate me. If I have 20 years left (actually 38 years since I'm going for 114) what kind of a difference can I make? How can I be a vital catalyst in the lives of others?

Michael speaks of the need to train ourselves psychological, intellectually and physically. I love to learn new things and teach others so the intellectual part is easy. My discoveries also guide the look and feel of my business. Psychological preparedness becomes easier with age if you question why you are doing what you are doing and why you are not doing something that would be a good idea. As you age, clear patterns emerge and you begin to form a better picture of your core values. Being physically prepared to think big is an interesting idea. You have to have the strength and stamina to do what you are called to do. I've got to work harder on that part.

His suggestion to compare how we see ourselves with how others see us is an extremely valuable concept. If you pay attention to what others say to you and what they ask you to do for them it will reflect back to you a bigger "you" than you see. Allow how others see you to point to your "think big" path.

The Think Big Manifesto makes you examine where you are, how you got there and what you really, really are capable of being. Busy or not, this book will give you pause - pause to look for ways you can begin to think bigger.

And when you are ready come join the other big thinkers on the Think Big Revolution.

Cara Lumen, MA, Your Idea Optimizer helps you turn your ideas into steady profit. As a business developer, content developer and educator, Cara helps you make money from what you already know. You can learn more about how to put your wisdom to work through her radio show www.blogtalkradio.com/passioantelyonpurpose and her Passionately On Purpose emagazine at www.caralumen.com