Dare to Dream Big: Why Playing Small Is No Longer an Option
At some point in life, we’re all taught to shrink. Shrink your dreams. Shrink your expectations. Shrink your voice. Be realistic. Be safe. Be practical.
Here's the truth: Playing small does not serve the world. More importantly, it doesn’t serve you.
We’re living in a time where the world desperately needs more light, more innovation, more boldness. So if you’ve been hiding your dreams behind doubt, perfectionism, or fear of what others might think… it’s time to stop.
The Topic: What It Means to Dream Big
Dreaming big is more than goal-setting. It’s a radical act of self-respect. It’s acknowledging that your life has meaning, and that you have the power to shape it.
It doesn’t mean you have to be famous, rich, or change the whole world. It means being willing to change your world—from the inside out.
Dreaming big is about:
Believing in the impossible before it’s proven.
Honoring your gifts, even when they feel messy or unready.
Living with courage, not comfort.
Because here's the secret: Your big dream isn’t about you alone—it’s about who you become in the process.
Tara’s Turning Point
Tara had always been the supportive one—helping everyone else chase their dreams while shelving her own. She had a degree in art, but she took a job in administration because, well, “That’s what responsible people do.”
What was her dream? Her dream was to design inspirational children’s books. She told herself things like: “That’s for more talented people.”, “It’s too late to start.”, “What if I fail?”
Before Tara knew it, years passed, and her dream stayed tucked away. Until one day, her 8-year-old daughter came home from school and said, “Mom, when I grow up, I don’t want to have a boring job.”
Oof. That was the wake-up call. Tara realized that by shrinking her own dream, she was teaching her daughter to do the same. That’s when she made a decision: No more playing small.
Within a year, she carved out evening hours to draw again. She self-published her first illustrated book. Today, her stories are in classrooms across the country—and her daughter thinks her mom is a superhero...All because she dared to dream big.
Micro Learning: Why Playing Small Holds You Back
Let’s break it down:
Small Thinking Big Dreaming
I’m not ready. I grow as I go.
What if I fail? What if I fly?
I don’t have time. I make time for what matters.
It’s too risky. It’s riskier to stay stuck.
Studies show that people who pursue meaningful goals—especially ones that feel a little “scary”—report higher levels of life satisfaction, better mental health, and stronger resilience over time. Big dreams fuel a big life.
Your Challenge: Step Into the Big Dream Zone
Today, do these three things:
1. Identify one dream you’ve been suppressing.
Say it out loud. Write it down. Make it real.
2. List three small actions you could take in the next 7 days.
(Ex: Research something. Sign up for a class. Share your idea with someone.)
3. Choose ONE of those actions—and take it today.
Start the momentum. Start small, but think big.
My Final Thoughts For You
There’s a version of you already living the dream, writing the book, launching the business, and creating the impact. You’ll never meet this part of you, if you keep playing small.
So today, dare to dream bigger than you ever have. Not because you’re reckless, but because you’re ready. The world doesn’t need another perfectly average life. It needs you. Dreaming. Creating. Becoming.
Copyright© 2020 LifeStreams International, LifeStreams360, Making Life Awesome
