Jan 18 2010

Live Big or Die Small

Published by Tom Volkar under True Callings | Email This Post Email This Post | 1,371 views

No matter who you are or what you do for a living there is an excellent chance that you’re playing too small.

Perhaps you’ve experienced the brilliant flash of an idea but it seemed too unattainable so you’ve compromised, thinking that you can lessen the risk.

But what if by backing a second place dream you’ve actually increased your risk?

What if there isn’t enough true north aliveness within that compromise for you to eagerly follow-through and complete?

Might your lack of focus, follow-through and completion have more to do with the authenticity of your chosen objectives than with your creative or productive ability?

Big dreams are not realized within comfort zones.

Big callings don’t care about your comfort, your money or your peace of mind.

Big callings are boldly and gloriously honored in the full scope and size of original realization.

Have you had a bigger dream than the one you’re going for?

Have you been called to play on a bigger stage for all the marbles?

If you’ve been called, know this; you have what it takes to pull it off.

Unleash your courage on your biggest dream and live big.

You are magnificent and it’s your time to shine.

Not sure if you’re following the right dream for you? Then join me this Wednesday January 20, in a free phone class: How To Get On The Right TrackRegister here.

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18 responses so far

18 Responses to “Live Big or Die Small”

  1. Gravatar Andrea Hess|Empowered Soulon 18 Jan 2010 at 11:46 am

    Tom, I absolutely agree with you – we don’t have a dream in our hearts without also having the inner resources to pursue that dream.

    Here’s to big thinking and big achievements!

    Blessings,
    Andrea
    Andrea Hess|Empowered Soul´s last blog ..Manifesting Money: Myths My ComLuv Profile

  2. Great post, Tom!! Thanks so much for the timely reminders on so many levels!

    Best wishes,
    Tara
    Tara Rodden Robinson :: The Productivity Maven´s last blog ..Productively Charitable My ComLuv Profile

  3. Gravatar Davinaon 18 Jan 2010 at 1:15 pm

    Hi Tom.
    THIS statement knocked the wind out of me… “But what if by backing a second place dream you’ve actually increased your risk?” Lit a fire under the caldron.
    Davina´s last blog ..I Find Stillness My ComLuv Profile

  4. Gravatar Tom Volkaron 18 Jan 2010 at 1:26 pm

    Andrea – I first found that idea in and old Emilie Cady book, Lessons in Truth. Here’s how she put it. “Desire for anything is the thing itself in incipiency; that is the thing you desire is not only for you, but has all ready started toward you out of the heart of God;and it is the first approach of the thing itself striking you that makes you desire it or even think of it at all.

    Tara – Welcome and I hope it inspires action within you at the right level.

    Davina – Burn baby burn! That fire was obviously preset and ready to be lit. Enjoy and act on its wisdom. Go big and go deep!

  5. Gravatar Keenaon 18 Jan 2010 at 3:27 pm

    Great post, Tom.

    I’m with Davina – that sentence made me stop and think – a lot. Thanks to your insights I know I am on the right track! I think I have peaked behind the curtain of something bigger – I’m not even sure what it is yet. I am looking forward to finding out what it is :-)

    Blessings,
    Keena
    Keena´s last blog ..Is anything holding you back from accomplishing your goals this year? My ComLuv Profile

  6. Gravatar Patty - Why Not Start Now?on 18 Jan 2010 at 4:54 pm

    Hi Tom – Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your wise comments. You make such an important point here: we all too often go for what appears to be an easier, safer dream but in the end it’s just not true. And I absolutely love how you point out that lack of focus, follow-through, and completion are more about the authenticity of the endeavor rather than productivity. What a beautiful reframe. Thanks for that.
    Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Meaning Mondays: The Mask Edition My ComLuv Profile

  7. Gravatar Katie West/The Levity Coachon 19 Jan 2010 at 12:35 am

    Tom, This makes me think of a comment someone recently said to me about our respective businesses.
    She said referring to her business, “I am all aim, aim, aim” and “Katie,” she said to me, ” You are all Fire, Fire, Fire.”

    Since I keep hitting my marks, I’d say it is not a bad approach. What it meant for me is that when we are answering our Big Callings (great expression Tom) we keep hitting our mark. And hitting it and hitting it. It is because we are living joy and the boundlessness of possibility.

    I dig this. Keep on Firing Tom. Your aim looks great from here!
    Katie West/The Levity Coach´s last blog ..The Healing Power of Joy My ComLuv Profile

  8. Gravatar Evelyn Limon 19 Jan 2010 at 9:17 am

    I confess to having jitters to playing big. However, more recently, I came to the realization that it’s time to master courage. I don’t want to live a life of regrets. Also, who is to say that I will not succeed? I can only call things a “failure” if I stop trying!
    Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..30 Power Words To Activate Intention Setting My ComLuv Profile

  9. Gravatar Tom Volkaron 19 Jan 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Keena – You can of course just let that idea simmer or you can goose it a bit by asking these questions. What might my biggest game be? What might happen if I brought all of myself to bear on the thing I care the most about?

    Patty – Welcome. Thanks for your comment. I find that most of our evolutionary points can be accelerated by reframing our perspective and then seeing what we think. The wisdom certainly resides within when we don’t shy away from our deepest truths.

    Katey – Sounds like you could have written that Ready Fire Aim book. Swiftness to action often wins the day. Your experience is indeed inspiring. I’m honored to know you.

    Evelyn – Great question. Not only whose to say you won’t succeed? But success comes in many forms so whose to say even temporary failure isn’t better than playing small? Me that’s who! :) Keep asking those deep questions. All is well.

  10. Gravatar Chris Edgaron 19 Jan 2010 at 8:52 pm

    Thanks for this Tom — and speaking of living big, I’ve been inspired by what you said about your workshop — I’ve now resolved to put one on, and the only issue is finding people who will come! But I think I’ll work that out :)

  11. Gravatar Scotton 20 Jan 2010 at 1:44 pm

    Excellent post! I would also add that, in my life, lack of confidence or my being full of fear are direct contributors to my lack of focus, follow-through and completion. I imagine your class will address this though.

  12. Gravatar ayoon 20 Jan 2010 at 7:52 pm

    Hi Tom,

    I loved this post.

    It’s quite inspiring and challenging.

    It caused me to reflect on the plans & projects I have ahead of me.

    I particularly like the section on Big dreams ……. & Big callings….

    Take care

  13. Gravatar Stacey / Create a Balanceon 23 Jan 2010 at 6:03 am

    I love how bold and big your writing is Tom. The words just jump off the screen for me as I read this post. I’m offering free coaching sessions right now for anyone who wants to DREAM BIG and TAKE ACTION. I love how you encourage us to LIVE BIG because it implies living in the moment.

  14. Gravatar Tom Volkaron 25 Jan 2010 at 8:38 am

    Chris – Go for it man! In these virtual, disconnected days folks need some belly to belly real time authentic experiences. I’m sure your workshop will be grand.

    Scott – Welcome. Yes a lack of confidence can cause a lack of focus because it tends to cause incompletions. Better to stay with one thing. Complete it and then see how confident you are.

    Ayo – Welcome. Hope your reflection continues to be inspiring and driven. We all have so much more in us than usually gets expressed.

    Stacey – I’m pleased that you can feel the boldness in my words. Sample sessions are an excellent way for folks to experience the lift and clarity of coaching. I sometimes offer them myself especially when the client has no idea how much progress coaching can guide.

  15. Gravatar Konkurrenceron 26 Jan 2010 at 8:36 am

    Great post Tom.
    It makes me think a couple of thinks over.
    Konkurrencer´s last blog ..Vind en elefantsafari til en værdi af 125.000 kr. My ComLuv Profile

  16. Gravatar Stacey Shipmanon 26 Jan 2010 at 10:35 pm

    I’m not sure I could have a bigger dream, and it’s damn uncomfortable. It even makes other people a tad uncomfortable. Someone actually looked at me recently during a conversation and said in awe, “Wow, I don’t dream that big.”

    First TV episode ready to go this weekend! And new yoga classes (live) are in session with more to come. I finally stopped resisting and it’s happening. Cool stuff, for sure.
    Stacey Shipman´s last blog ..Feel Good Friday: Lend a Helping Hand My ComLuv Profile

  17. Gravatar Tom Volkaron 27 Jan 2010 at 4:44 pm

    Konkurrencer – Welcome! Enjoy thinking things over but be sure to follow them up with action.

    Stacey – I agree. I’ve heard your dream and it’s a doozie! It’s very gratifying to hear of your recent momentum. I celebrate you!

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