In advertisements we see photos of product with the disclaimer: “Image shown not to actual size.” The real deal is larger, better, greater (or, in the case of this photo – smaller!)  I too am not to my actual size. What you see is what you get today. But I’m working on getting to a potentially greater size of me that is more productive, more successful and more satisfied with making a difference in the world around me. Are you on this journey too?

In any journey to greatness there are two viewpoints at play. On the one side are the realities of the moment, defined by our current experience and circumstances. But on the other lie unlimited potential fueled by the wonder of our imagination and the courage of our actions.

Being satisfied with the present but wanting something more is a good thing. All too often though we give in, we settle. Our focus becomes myopic, our thinking shallow; if we take any time to think at all. When I was a teenager learning to drive I asked my Dad why I was having such trouble keeping the car from swerving back and forth. “Maybe you’re not looking far enough ahead,” was his reply. And, sure enough, once I lifted my gaze from the patch of road immediately in front of me to the road up ahead, the car stayed centered in the lane and I stopped my erratic swerving.

Consider taking your eyes off your immediate circumstances. Look up ahead, see further down the line, gaze into the future, imagine and see what more you could become. And believe there’s a greater size of you ahead.

I’m reading “The Greatness Guide” by Robin Sharma. In it he points out, “the life that you see this very moment isn’t necessarily the life of your future.” There’s a bigger and greater size life ahead, for me, for you. Here are some of the steps to greatness I’m learning to make:

1. Forward Thinking. Larry Fitzgerald, the outstanding Arizona Cardinal’s wide receiver recently said in a SI article just before the Super Bowl, “It’s not the time to reflect…the Cardinals signed me to play well, and I just feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.” Larry wasn’t thinking about his 9 catch, 152 yard, 3 touchdown performances in the championship game against the Eagles. He was thinking ahead to the next game, the next opportunity. What if we thought more about the future and realized everything that has led up to this point was for future greatness? What if we thought and believed and “saw” ourselves being happier, more fulfilled, yes greater than now? Robert Allen said, “The future you see is the future you get.” I can see myself more fit and 25lbs lighter. I see my income much higher, my relationship with my wife much deeper, the positive feelings customers experience having worked with me much greater. My vision is rising and my thinking is moving forward.

2. Planned Actions. It’s not enough to take the time to think rightly, to set goals and visualize greatness. Thinking must turn into planned actions. Actions that can and will translate into extraordinary and remarkable results. At first I was dumbfounded when Capt. Chesley Sullenberger who saved the lives of 155 people on board US Airways Flight 1549 said, “I know I can speak for the entire crew when I tell you we were simply doing the job we were trained to do.” Simply doing a job? You kidding me? You’re a freakin’ hero. But then it sunk in. Capt. Sullenberger was only able to do something great and remarkable because of all of the training, planning and emergency simulation exercises he had undertaken. I’ll bet Sully had a schedule full of continuous training relating to the very similar situation he found himself in on January 15, 2009. I’m in my mid 50′s and run 3 miles, 3 times a week, not bad. But, how am I going to lose those 25lbs if I don’t step it up and plan to do more (and eat less)? If I value a deepened relationship with my wife but don’t put her at the top of my schedule – how’s that going to happen? And, if I don’t take measures to nurture my client relationships how will I know their needs and be able to meet them more effectively?

I know it’s a cliché, but I do believe life is a journey and not an event. Each positive thought and every productive inch of action is important. What positive, new thoughts and fresh thinking do you need to engage in? Then, how will you act, what will you put on your calendar tomorrow to become the next size of you, to reach for your next summit of greatness?

Photo source: Ilona Dharjha’s flickr