It’s good to think big. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get to the highest possible station in life. The problem is that when hopes are high, so are fears. There is fear because there is a chance of failure, a possibility of losing something. Some people are able to rise above this fear and go after their dreams with full gusto.

Most of us are cowered. We lose our breath. We get paralyzed with doubt. Are we capable? Are we delusional? Are we stupid to dream? Should we face reality? These are some of the questions that start to bother us. We get so profoundly affected by our own insecurities that we start to see obstacles where no obstacles exist. We are, after all, only human.

Anyone would have doubts in their abilities if they were dropped at the foot of Mt. Everest and told to climb to the peak. Instead of looking at the peak and unnecessarily pressurizing yourself, I suggest that you look lower. Aim for the first crest you can see, or the first stone in your path, or the rock a few feet away. Start by moving towards that particular goal. Forget about where you have to go from there. Once you’ve reached the first rock, then you can aim for the second and once you’ve reached the second you can aim for the third and so on and so forth.

By reducing your expectations, you reduce the pressure on yourself. This makes it easier for you to visualize yourself living up to those expectations. Aim for the mountains and you’ll at least hit the treetops, aim for the clouds and you’ll at least be in the mountains, aim for the stars and you’ll at least reach the clouds. One step at a time, always aim one step higher that you need to go.