Go BIG or go home

I hope you are enjoying a fun and productive week. We’re now going to switch gears a bit.

For the next couple of minutes, we are going to look closer at the phrase, “Go BIG or go home,” and how you can use it to achieve success.

It is a common phrase, and it carries different meanings depending upon the context in which it is used. So, I thought I’d Google it. Here are two items I pulled from my search.

• Go big or go home is an exhortation to go all-out, to put all of one's effort into an enterprise, to experience something to its fullest, to be extravagant. It is a philosophy that encourages one to be bold.
• The phrase is said to have originated as a sales slogan in the 1990s. A motorcycle parts company in Southern California incorporated the term go big or go home in its packaging for some oversized Harley Davidson pipes.

For our purposes, we are looking at Go BIG or go home as a principle. Why?

To me it fits our definition – a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as a foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or for a chain of reasoning. (It serves us as a guide for building something.)

It is confusing out there in the world today! Information overload, conflicting narratives, competing messages and products, misinformation, and literally little time to make sense of it all.

So, for our discussion here, Go BIG or go home means: You are a STAR business. You are #1 in your niche. You have a purpose (you want to be that difference). You have a BHAG (big hairy audacious goal). You have a unique sales proposition or market dominating proposition. You play to win.

Go ahead and put this principle into action.

1. Ignite Your Vision – Go Beyond

Success often hinges on one’s ability to envision beyond the constraints of the present. Collect data. Study trends and patterns. Benchmark competition. Get feedback. Collaborate.

Why not put on your Go BIG or go home pair of glasses! See the possibilities. Turn obstacles into opportunities. It's about believing in the power of your dreams and having the audacity to relentlessly pursue them.

Having this kind of mindset is transformative. Don’t settle for mediocrity and incremental progress. Think expansively about your goals and aspirations. A bold vision is the cornerstone of your success.

2. Employ Courageous Decision-Making – Be Fearless

At the heart of the Go BIG or go home principle lies a willingness to make courageous decisions. Be strategically holistic. Enjoy the planning process. Execute. Be accountable.

Step outside your comfort zone. Defy conventional wisdom. Chart your own bold course.

Leaders who calculate and manage risks are often rewarded with exponential growth and innovation. Embrace uncertainty and ambiguity. Position yourself as a trailblazer in your industry or cause.

3. Set the Bar High – Be Ambitious

You can achieve market dominance!

My daughter Robin is a head coach for a women’s tennis team. She changed the culture at her university. She sets high standards. And she mentors her players to excel in all they do, on and off the court.

Aim higher. Reach further. Strive for excellence in everything you do. Be unique, extraordinary.

You can double your revenues, expand brand awareness, or become the go-to authority in your field. Ambitious goals are catalysts for growth and innovation.

Push beyond your limits. Overcome obstacles. Achieve feats that you once thought were impossible. Embrace the challenge of greatness. Be a “force multiplier” in your industry or cause.

4. Innovate or Evaporate - Be Creative

Is it better to improve or innovate? I think the latter.

The ability to innovate is no longer a luxury, it is mandatory for survival. The Go BIG or go home principle compels you to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and pioneer new pathways to success.

Think about innovation as the lifeblood that sustains relevance and resilience.

Develop groundbreaking products. Pioneer disruptive technologies. Reimagine and disrupt traditional business models. Deliver “raving fan” experiences. Create value!

Foster a culture of innovation. Empower your team to experiment, iterate, and adapt to changing market dynamics. Be a visionary leader. Dominate your market.

5. Manage Risks, Calculate Wins – Be Methodical

While the Go BIG or go home principle encourages boldness, audacity, and the pursuit of ambitious ventures, it is not about reckless abandon or blind optimism.

Instead, take calculated risks based on sound analysis, strategic foresight, and informed decision-making.

Weigh potential rewards against inherent risks. Make choices that maximize your chances of success.

Risk management is paramount. Conduct thorough research and due diligence. Solicit diverse perspectives. Implement robust contingency plans.

Obstacles are your path! Calculated risks are your stepping-stones to greatness.

6. Lead by Example - Inspire Your Team

Your actions speak louder than words. Create a culture of boldness, tenacity, shared values, and collaboration.

Your Go BIG or go home mindset sets the tone and inspires. Leadership by example is the catalyst that ignites passion, fosters collaboration, and drives collective success.

Foster a culture of empowerment. Celebrate risk-taking and resilience. Demonstrate courage, conviction, and unwavering determination.

Your leadership is the guiding light that propels your people and your organization forward.

7. Be Resilient in the Face of Adversity - Overcome Challenges

On any journey, setbacks and challenges are inevitable. It is how you respond to obstacles that defines you.

Persevere. Adapt. Emerge stronger. Resilience is the bedrock of long-term success.

You are a true Go BIG or go home leader. You deal with tough situations with clarity and calm. You bounce back from setbacks.

Your team embraces challenges head-on. Your team learns from failure. Your team stays true to your vision. Your team are high performers.

Pave the way for a brighter and bolder future. Live the Go BIG or go home principle. This is a key element to the blueprint for success in our modern business landscape.