The "Go Big or Go Home" Mentaity

[lil_christian]

For once I'm deciding not to post a thought of mine in Streams! This is brought up by sort of a random thing. A Facebook page I liked made a status. It just simply said, "Dream big." with a little cloud beside it. The top comment agreed, saying, "Go big or go home." and it got me wondering a little bit about the "Go big or go home" mentality.

What are the pros and cons of this?

Could someone benefit from having that sort of thought process? Or is it more helpful than harmful? I can see how it could make someone more productive and try new things, possibly get out of their comfort zone, but what happens when everything flops? What then?

And last question, when is a time you possibly had that mentality? Did it work in your favor? If so, how? And if not, what happened and how did you react to it? Were you able to bounce back okay?

 

[Olerica]

I'm going to think about this and get back to you.

 

[Tintin]

I really don't know what to say. I've never been one for making goals. Even now, I want nothing more than to get a full-time teaching job, find someone special, get married and have kids, all while serving God. That's about as detailed as my goals get and I really don't know how to reach them. So I don't even bother to dream big.

 

[PopClick]

What are the pros and cons of this?

Could someone benefit from having that sort of thought process? Or is it more helpful than harmful? I can see how it could make someone more productive and try new things, possibly get out of their comfort zone, but what happens when everything flops? What then?

And last question, when is a time you possibly had that mentality? Did it work in your favor? If so, how? And if not, what happened and how did you react to it? Were you able to bounce back okay?

I absolutely think the thought process is beneficial in general, but it is important to have wisdom so that you aren't pursuing a goal that is truly impractical. There are some things that any given person simply isn't good at, and I don't think it would be a good use of time and resources to (for example) try and force a career to happen in a field where you just don't excel.

If everything flops, you try something a little different. And there are a few areas of my life where this is harder to apply than others. Some things are just easier to be bold about. But (obviously) seek God, and if you're pretty sure that something is wise, good, and reasonably practical... then go for it. And give it everything you've got, because if you make a halfhearted attempt, that lack of passion will definitely show in your end result.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

I think there is too much "think big" mentality.

1: It means that you are never good enough, no matter how good you are
2: People overcompensate and set unrealistic goals. Anything from daily life to major life changes.
(A person who is about to start exercising for the first time would try to run a marathon to "go big" )

 

[zeroturbulence]

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

Luke 14:28-30 NIV

 

[Tintin]

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

Luke 14:28-30 NIV

True. Just don't build a tower in Babel.

 

[Lynx]

Mind you, the following is strictly one man's opinion, no more (and no less, for that matter) valid than that of anyone else.

"Go big or go home" is a popular catch-phrase because people like the idea of being the best, doing something big, getting attention, being a huge success and etc. But I don't think people practice it much. At least I don't see a lot of people trying to "go big" in unrealistic ways, or giving up and going home because they can't go big.

IMO it's just an expression. Kind of like "Eye of the Tiger" used to be. I have heard many use that phrase back in the day, but I saw few developing the focus the phrase referenced.

 

[chickwithsticks]

I think this might be the first time in my rather short history here where I seem to have a different opinion than the majority so go easy on me.

I love the phrase Go Big or Go Home and use it but I believe I am defining it differently. Growing up I never found my voice so to speak. It wasn't until college that I slowly and I mean slowly started to have confidence to speak up and be courageous. Maybe it was due to my slow start but I want to live courageously for Christ and this phrase has given me the little umpphh when I needed it to take those courageous "calculated risks" because I found comfort in knowing that if I failed ...at least I tried to go big. I honestly view most failures as mini success because like Edison said "I have not failed..I just found 10,000 ways it won't work."

I could tell tell you a few times where my risk did fail and one of them monumentally. I actually didn't get as upset as one would have thought because at least I tried and typically the risk failed due to outside factors uncontrollable. Those moments of success though....oh my they were great !

I am not advocating those moments where people take impulsive huge risks just for the rush of going "big" after all God blessed us with amazing minds and commands us to use discernment. To me it's about being a warrior for Christ and going Big for His glory but I realize there are many ways to be a warrior for Him.

 

[Hellooo]

I'm a proponent for "go big or go home"....i find that this mentality fuels a lot of innovation and creativity. I have more thoughts on this but will have to table them until I can log in from my computer.

 

[Willie-T]

For once I'm deciding not to post a thought of mine in Streams! This is brought up by sort of a random thing. A Facebook page I liked made a status. It just simply said, "Dream big." with a little cloud beside it. The top comment agreed, saying, "Go big or go home." and it got me wondering a little bit about the "Go big or go home" mentality.

What are the pros and cons of this?

Could someone benefit from having that sort of thought process? Or is it more helpful than harmful? I can see how it could make someone more productive and try new things, possibly get out of their comfort zone, but what happens when everything flops? What then?

And last question, when is a time you possibly had that mentality? Did it work in your favor? If so, how? And if not, what happened and how did you react to it? Were you able to bounce back okay?

I made my first million because I wasn't afraid to step out in a big, bold way. Otherwise, I would probably have remained working for someone else.

 

[seoulsearch]

Hey Lil,

Great question and I'm so glad you wrote it as a thread!

My personal view is that different things work for different people and that we are all built to think in somewhat unique ways. God put it in Solomon's heart to build a massive temple, the likes of which no one in the world had ever seen, or probably even thought about. And yet, our same God put it in the heart of a widow to share a little oil and flour every day with a prophet before she made a meal for herself and her son.

I used to have huge dreams. I wanted a doctorate in psychology. I wanted to interview Charles Manson. And I wanted to be able to make sure people who committed the most extreme violent crimes weren't given lesser sentences if they wrongfully claimed to be "insane".

I also wanted to be married around age 20 and have 4 kids by 25... 30 at the latest. I also wanted to travel the world and fill up my entire passport with places I'd been. I definitely used to dream big. But life gave me a few speed bumps along the way.

So instead, I've learned to be extremely grateful for a much simpler life. I've discovered that I work much better as a helper than as the primary leader (every Moses needs a Joshua!) And, God did bless me with a few travels I am so thankful for. I may not be able to make every trip I dream of but through the magic of YouTube, I'm able to see so many things I otherwise couldn't (the Pyramids of Egypt, Neuschwanstein castle, the Taj Mahal, some of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright...) and I am content with that for now. But God willing, I hope to see many more things for myself someday.

I made my first million because I wasn't afraid to step out in a big, bold way. Otherwise, I would probably have remained working for someone else.

I do think the "Go Big" mentality is responsible for a lot of innovative success stories. However, it must also be kept in mind that the bigger the dream, the higher the cost (as Zero pointed out.)

I'm definitely NOT saying this is Willie's situation at all, but I've seen many people who have been immensely successful... and I can't think of a single one that didn't have to sacrifice vital amounts of family life in order to achieve it. They missed their child's birth, or first steps, or first words. They were never able to go to ball games, recitals, or important events in their children's lives because of work.

Of course, there can be big payoffs later on. Maybe enough money was made to pay for cars and college and trips. I think most people who go this route know they're missing out on seeing their children grow up but figure the money, provisions, and success will make up for it later.

However... I know many people who feel bitter, disconnected, and forgotten because someone important in their life was "going big" after a dream, and, in they believe their parents, etc. left the most important people (and priorities) behind.

 

[lil_christian]

Thank you guys for all of the responses!! I'm finding these really interesting to read.

 

[Nautilus]

Go big or go home? Well home is where my bed, netflix, and refreshing beverages are so see ya later.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I think this might be the first time in my rather short history here where I seem to have a different opinion than the majority so go easy on me.

I love the phrase Go Big or Go Home and use it but I believe I am defining it differently. Growing up I never found my voice so to speak. It wasn't until college that I slowly and I mean slowly started to have confidence to speak up and be courageous. Maybe it was due to my slow start but I want to live courageously for Christ and this phrase has given me the little umpphh when I needed it to take those courageous "calculated risks" because I found comfort in knowing that if I failed ...at least I tried to go big. I honestly view most failures as mini success because like Edison said "I have not failed..I just found 10,000 ways it won't work."

I could tell tell you a few times where my risk did fail and one of them monumentally. I actually didn't get as upset as one would have thought because at least I tried and typically the risk failed due to outside factors uncontrollable. Those moments of success though....oh my they were great !

I am not advocating those moments where people take impulsive huge risks just for the rush of going "big" after all God blessed us with amazing minds and commands us to use discernment. To me it's about being a warrior for Christ and going Big for His glory but I realize there are many ways to be a warrior for Him.

But this is more like, "Go big and if at first you don't get it, keep trying til you do.." (not just go home and forget about it)

 

[lil_christian]

Go big or go home? Well home is where my bed, netflix, and refreshing beverages are so see ya later.

lol. Very Bilbo Baggins before he went out on his adventure. "It's dangerous business, going out your front door..."

 

[JonahLynx]

People are too busy trying to make it to the moon that they forget how beautiful the grass is. I think contentment is a dying virtue.

 

[Willie-T]

Hey Lil,

Great question and I'm so glad you wrote it as a thread!

My personal view is that different things work for different people and that we are all built to think in somewhat unique ways. God put it in Solomon's heart to build a massive temple, the likes of which no one in the world had ever seen, or probably even thought about. And yet, our same God put it in the heart of a widow to share a little oil and flour every day with a prophet before she made a meal for herself and her son.

I used to have huge dreams. I wanted a doctorate in psychology. I wanted to interview Charles Manson. And I wanted to be able to make sure people who committed the most extreme violent crimes weren't given lesser sentences if they wrongfully claimed to be "insane".

I also wanted to be married around age 20 and have 4 kids by 25... 30 at the latest. I also wanted to travel the world and fill up my entire passport with places I'd been. I definitely used to dream big. But life gave me a few speed bumps along the way.

So instead, I've learned to be extremely grateful for a much simpler life. I've discovered that I work much better as a helper than as the primary leader (every Moses needs a Joshua!) And, God did bless me with a few travels I am so thankful for. I may not be able to make every trip I dream of but through the magic of YouTube, I'm able to see so many things I otherwise couldn't (the Pyramids of Egypt, Neuschwanstein castle, the Taj Mahal, some of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright...) and I am content with that for now. But God willing, I hope to see many more things for myself someday.



I do think the "Go Big" mentality is responsible for a lot of innovative success stories. However, it must also be kept in mind that the bigger the dream, the higher the cost (as Zero pointed out.)

I'm definitely NOT saying this is Willie's situation at all, but I've seen many people who have been immensely successful... and I can't think of a single one that didn't have to sacrifice vital amounts of family life in order to achieve it. They missed their child's birth, or first steps, or first words. They were never able to go to ball games, recitals, or important events in their children's lives because of work.

Of course, there can be big payoffs later on. Maybe enough money was made to pay for cars and college and trips. I think most people who go this route know they're missing out on seeing their children grow up but figure the money, provisions, and success will make up for it later.

However... I know many people who feel bitter, disconnected, and forgotten because someone important in their life was "going big" after a dream, and, in they believe their parents, etc. left the most important people (and priorities) behind.

Sometimes it is not always a higher cost, but a higher risk.

 

[Hellooo]

For the record, I don't think the sentiment is at all about seeking notoriety, fame, or some type of grand scale popularity.
More along the lines of what Willie mention regarding taking risks, not wasting opportunities, and fully committing to whatever role you're in to the best of your ability, while knowing that you may encounter challenges. Typically the risks are outright failure or obsessing over a perfectionist ideal that may not come to fruition.

Someone once mentioned to me that the common trait among the worst performing sales people is not technique - it's that they don't talk to enough people. Wayne Gretzky is noted for saying that you miss 100% of shots you don't take. In a lot of areas, success has very little to do with talent or any kind of innate ability - it boils down to effort and commitment. Each of my piano instructors growing up emphasized the same thing to me - I needed to PRACTICE. The beautiful performances you hear from orchestras? Wouldn't be possible if each musician decided to call it in and do a half-**** job at playing what they saw on their sheet music. Who would want to purchase a ticket to see that performance? When I played in bands in my school days, it was actually seen as disrespectful when each section of the band had learned their part, and you had one section of instruments who held everyone else up because of issues they should have worked out in practice. Everyone is anxious to hear and perform the polished version of the song, not the unsuccessful performance attempts. For those of you who support a sports team that performs poorly (no judgement) wouldn't it be incredibly disappointing if they conceded defeat right at the start of the game? Or didn't even make an effort for the rest of the season due to a loss? How many relationships and marriages do we see fall apart because one or both parties aren't fully committed, or how many new years resolutions do we see unfulfilled simply due to lack of effort and commitment, rather than lack of ability or skill?

To take this in a different direction, when Jesus sent out the disciples, he didn't instruct them to avoid challenges and stay in their comfort zones, he called them to make big moves and take risks. Matthew 10 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Or if you consider the parable of three servants - it was the servants who invested and worked who earned more, not the one who took zero risk by burying their silver


So for me, the whole thing is more of an idea that you actively pursue and work towards things, in spite of risk.

 

[Willie-T]

Some younger guys used to look at me, and remark that I was so lucky. I would reply, "No", it's just that I learned at about your age to never say "No." As a laborer, I carried 8 or 9 2x4's while the other guys were carrying 4. And my first "supervisory" job was one that no one else would volunteer for.... digging holes for foundation piers, with two English visitors working for me.

Opportunity seldom comes your way... you go looking for it.