These days, it seems as if every time I feel as if Im thinking BIG, something comes along to show me that at best Im only thinking medium. While I take comfort in knowing that at least Im not thinking petite, I do sometimes wonder what it really takes to think BIG!

Why does it matter what size were thinking? Very simply, those who think bigger are people who are happier and more fulfilled. Big thinkers are less frustrated and more successful. And big thinkers leave a legacy for their family and friends that goes far beyond any material possessions they may bequeath. In fact, if you consider your legacy in terms of how you affect the world and the people in it, you are creating it with every action you take and every thought, large or small, you think.

Thinking big doesnt mean taking on challenges that dont interest you, but it does mean taking on challenges that pull you out of your comfort zone. Big thinking sometimes even medium-sized thinking! teaches the skill of dancing on the edge of nervousness, and using that energy to accomplish things that surprise and delight you and the world!

So how do we start thinking bigger? Here are three big questions to ask yourself to figure out whether youre thinking petite, medium-sized, or BIG.

1. Are you getting the results you want?

   If youre frustrated by a lack of results, then the chances are youre not thinking big. Funny how that works, isnt it?

   In fact, in this situation we often feel as if were pushing ourselves, so our first instinct is to pull back. Instead, try really stepping out and making your goal and your actions BIGGER. It sounds counter-intuitive it is counter-intuitive! and Ive seen it work over and over again. A bigger goal, bigger actions, bigger thinking all serve to inspire you and the people around you, and suddenly the bigger results are there too!

2. If you knew you couldnt fail, what action would you take?

   This is a familiar and even trite question that weve all seen many times. Its worth remembering, though, that clichs are clich for a reason: somewhere down in their heart they have a core of truth. The problem with this question is that its usually asked in a vacuum, with no sense of context. Try asking it about a specific goal or dream, and youll be amazed at how pertinent, meaningful, and inspirational it suddenly becomes.

   Do I need to add that you must take that action once youve identified it?

3. Do you really I mean REALLY know what you want?

   Fuzzy goals inevitably and I do mean inevitably lead to fuzzy results because our actions are also fuzzy. The more clarity we have about a goal, the more likely we are to achieve it; its as simple as that. But gaining real clarity about a big goal or dream is scary so we stay in that small, fuzzy space.

   Write about how youll feel when you achieve your goal and write it in the present tense, as if youre writing a letter to a friend from that future state. Describe your day, describe how you feel, and describe how your life has changed, right down to the tiny little details. Read what youve written often; every day is best.

   Create a vision board using words, images, and photographs that represent your future. Include every aspect of your life as it will be when you succeed: home, work, family, friends, finances, travel, hobbies, garden everything that will be meaningful to you. Hang the board where you can see it every day.

Now that you have clarity, start acting as if go out into the world from this new viewpoint of success and achievement. Watch how people react to you and how events unfold before you.

As long as you are going to think anyway, think big. Donald Trump, U.S. businessman and entrepreneur.

Grace Judson

Grace Judson is the founder of and driving force behind Svaha Concepts. As a professional coach, she's dedicated to helping her clients improve the quality of their lives and achieve their full personal and professional potential ? and full personal and professional satisfaction!

In the course of her corporate career, she has worked in organizations as small as five people ? and as large as 200,000. She has managed departments, participated in corporate strategic and tactical initiatives as part of Senior Staff, and supported businesses and customers as a consultant. In short, with over 25 years in the corporate world, she has a broad and deep understanding of the challenges faced by workers in today?s knowledge economy.

With her strong strategic and tactical background, she specializes in helping individual clients recover from burnout, identify their goals (some of which may have been lost in the hustle of success) and create challenging yet realistic plans for achieving those goals. Executives receive assistance in developing their skills in leadership, collaboration, creativity, and communication. Corporate clients seek Grace's knowledge management expertise and advice in pro-actively managing the "brain drain" resulting from the retirement exodus of the Baby Boomer generation. She works one-to-one and in groups to help experienced executives impart their experience and wisdom to the upcoming leaders within the organization, while simultaneously helping the apprentices develop their leadership skills and decision-making abilities.

Modeling the life balance that she helps her clients attain, Grace spends time volunteering her business expertise at Shakti Rising (a women's recovery center headquartered in San Diego, where she also serves on the Board of Directors), being a lap for her cats, cooking for herself and friends, and staying active in fiber arts. A spinner, weaver, and knitter, she confesses to being a "fiberholic," and teaches knitting in several local yarn shops. She also admits somewhat sheepishly (no pun intended!) to having held the "Fastest Knitter in America" title in 2002, and appeared on Good Morning America that October to compete for the world title.