This Former Coffee-Hawker Says You're Not Thinking Big Enough

When Michelle Gass ran Starbucks, she helped the company move into 33 countries. When she first joined the coffee-based firm, she was asked to get behind a new drink. Starbucks had just launched the Frappucino, and Gass was ordered to develop a growth strategy to make the drink popular.

 

What began as a side item now earns Starbucks more than $2 billion annually. That's the income from just one drink. To say that Gass' efforts worked out is obvious.

 

She had long ago come up with a belief about how to approach achievement. It can help with personal and career goals. Men and women of all ages and levels of education and success can use the same idea. It’s powerful in its simplicity.

 

What was the approach she took that created such a winner for Starbucks? It's one she's used successfully in her career working with many Fortune 500 companies. She says her mantra is ...

 

"Let's think of how big this can be."

 

She's a firm believer in thinking big. A lot of leaders will tell you this. If you're going to dream, why not dream big? It doesn't make any sense to think small when thinking big doesn't take any more effort.

 

It’s up to you, really. If you have a task or responsibility, shoot for the moon. You get to choose what you strive for in life. Aiming for big results can make your world better for you and everyone you care for. Accomplishing great things feels so rewarding. You might even surprise yourself with what you’re able to accomplish.

 

To start seeing the world as incredibly abundant. Don't think of lack or just enough to get by. Think much bigger and envision big change rather than small, insignificant change. Imagine big things in your life. What you consciously tell your subconscious ends up as action. Your subconscious drives your actions, and your actions are what create the reality in your life.

 

Gass knows this. When Starbucks purchased Seattle's Best Coffee, she employed her "think bigger" mantra. In just a single year, she took Seattle's Best from 3,000 distribution points to over 50,000. That's what happens when you think big.

 

If you want big things in your life, you've got to think big. Dare to think bigger than you could possibly imagine. Even if you come up short, you will have achieved so much.

 

This Prime Minister Understood You Don't Have To Be Liked to Get the Job Done

Margaret Thatcher became Britain's Prime Minister after winning the general election in 1979. She was the first woman to lead one of the major political parties in the United Kingdom. Previous economic troubles saw her take leadership in the middle of a recession.

 

Unemployment was rising dramatically. The British people weren't happy. Nevertheless, Thatcher didn't try to appease everyone by being popular. Instead, she took dramatic steps that didn't make many people happy with her.

 

Even so, she stuck by her guns. To say that she was unpopular at the beginning of her reign as Prime Minister is an understatement. The IRA tried to assassinate her in 1984. When someone tries to kill you, that's pretty much the height of unpopularity.

 

Nevertheless, she was so successful in turning around the economy that she served three consecutive terms. She enjoyed landslide reelections twice and is one of the most popular PMs in recent memory.

 

Nevertheless, she had this lesson to teach us about needing people to like us.

 

"If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing."

 

The best leaders are often well-liked. People respect their power and their achievements. When great leaders produce the results their followers are looking for, it's natural for them to enjoy popularity.

 

That's not to say that leaders should develop a dependence on being popular.

 

Margaret Thatcher understood this. She saw the inherent problem that can develop when approval becomes more important than delivering results.

 

You Don't Have To Be a Leader to Learn from This Lesson

 

You're probably not a politician. Very few people are. Maybe you don't long to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It doesn't matter if you never throw your hat into the political arena. The lesson here is still relevant for so many of us.

 

If you want to accomplish anything, you can't worry if your actions will be popular or not. If you want to be popular, put everyone else first and worry about yourself last.

 

While helping others is an admirable character trait, you have to be careful. If you're doing it for people to like you, that's the wrong reason. Human beings can be rather fickle, which means your popularity can disappear quickly. 

 

No matter what you're trying to accomplish in your life, do it for the right reasons. It's easier to create the results you're looking for when you keep your eyes focused on the game plan rather than worrying about being popular.

7 Reasons Why You Don’t Set Boundaries and How to Start

You’ve gotten roped into staying late at work. Again. Or you’ve committed to something that you didn't want to but felt you had to. Now you’re beating yourself up because you know you should have better boundaries, but you don’t seem to understand how to form them. What do you do?

 

First, you need to realize that having problems setting boundaries is normal. We have a lot of reasons why we don’t like setting boundaries:

 

1. Fear. The number one reason we don’t do anything is generally fear. When you don’t know what the outcome is going to be when you first set that boundary, it’s bound to be terrifying.

 

2. It would be selfish. After all, why should your needs come before anyone else’s?

 

3. Taking care of yourself is unusual. This point is an extension of the last one. Not only is self-care selfish, but it would take time and resources from caring for others. Forgetting of course, that we can’t take care of anyone if we don’t take care of ourselves first.

 

4. Someone’s going to get mad at you. Which of course will lead to conflict and maybe even a confrontation. You might find yourself thinking that setting a boundary in these situations is just not worth it. 

 

5. Doing it the other way is a habit. It might be that you’re used to being asked to stay late at work – every day. Now it’s a habit to stay. The problem is, habits are hard to break, which means setting that boundary doesn’t just involve putting your foot down but changing an entire way of thinking. 

 

6. There’s a price to pay for saying ‘no.’ If other people trample over your needs to get their own needs met, then when you do say no, you know there’s going to be a negative repercussion. And who needs that kind of commotion in your life?

 

7. It’s not all that important anyway. Is it? That has more to do with self-esteem than anything. And yes, your boundaries are just that important.

 

So how do you go about setting boundaries when that’s unusual for you?

 

• Start by asking for what you want – and be specific.

• Be open to compromise.

• Have an exit strategy if they say ‘no.’ What will you accept?

• Be ready emotionally for a negative response. Not everything will be a ‘yes.’

• Don’t take rejection personally.  

 

Boundaries don’t have to be terrifying. Understanding why you don’t set them is the first step toward establishing positive change. When you use what you know to set solid boundaries for yourself, you will discover peace and happiness that you never knew was even possible.

5 Strategies for Guarding Your Personal Boundaries

Imagine an invisible fence set around yourself, with a single gate that is shut and locked, with only you in possession of the key. How does that make you feel?

 

When we have good personal boundaries, then we’ve set a space around us that we control. We tell those around us they can go only so far, and no further. Not that we’re alone, but it’s up to us to open the gate, and we get to decide who comes in.

 

The problem is, the world has a way of pushing against that fence. There will always be people who want more of your time, more of your energy. More of you. Thankfully there are things you can do to guard those boundaries and keep them strong.

 

1. Identify your limits. It’s impossible to guard what you haven’t even defined. The trick here is to define those limits clearly and succinctly. For example, you might want to protect some time with your family. But a boundary too vague is impossible to protect. But by clarifying the goal down to “Saturday’s are family time” then you know what you’re protecting (time with your family). So, with things that do come up on Saturday which do not involve the family, it's suddenly not so difficult to say no. 

 

2. Be straightforward. Never let someone push your boundaries without your permission. And when it does happen, take direct and clear action immediately. Anytime your boundaries are threatened, it’s time to open a dialogue with the violator. That gives you the opportunity to verbally reset the boundary in a way that makes it clear to the other person that the boundary is there. 

 

3. Pay attention to your feelings. If you’re feeling like someone is violating your boundaries, ask yourself why. Go with your gut instinct here as you analyze your emotions. It’s very likely that what you’re sensing is a boundary violation that you need to address.

 

4. Speak up. When you feel like your boundaries are being violated, you need to say something. After all, the best guard challenges all intruders. Being assertive now will save you a lot of heartache and problems down the road later.

 

5. Remind yourself that you have a right to set boundaries. Sometimes our boundaries have grown weak because we don’t feel like we have a right to set them in the first place. Permitting yourself to set the boundary will immediately strengthen it again.

 

Guarding your boundaries is an important part of living a life that’s not only healthy and happy but meaningful. Self-confident, strong people have solid boundaries that they protect. Protecting your boundaries is probably one of the most effective tools you have toward realizing a happy and productive life.

What are Personal Boundaries and Why We Need Them

You’ve probably heard the phrase before, but maybe you’re unsure what it means. Just what ARE personal boundaries, and what difference do they make in your life?

 

To understand a personal boundary, you have to understand what a boundary is. Let’s start at the dictionary and go from there:

 

bound·a·ry (noun)

a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.

 

Most boundaries are pretty easy to see. The world is full of fences and dividers, clearly marking off space. A personal boundary does the same thing – only on a more invisible and internal level. Let’s look at this on a little closer.

 

What are boundaries?

 

1. A boundary tells you what your responsibility is in a given situation. You already have some boundaries at work or school. These are the parameters of your job or your responsibility as a student and usually are marked out pretty clearly when you took the job or where enrolled. On a personal level, a boundary tells you who you’re responsible for (yourself of course, but you might also be a caregiver). But what about your other responsibilities such as paying your bills, or taking care of your pets?

 

2. A boundary keeps you safe. Many of these should go without saying – such as abstaining from drinking and driving. But sometimes you have to set some such boundaries for yourself. Such as whether or not it’s healthy to be in a relationship with a certain individual.

 

3. A boundary tells us who we are.  Are you a good person? A bad person? A selfish person? A pious one? Our moral code becomes the boundary that defines us.

 

4. A boundary clarifies your needs. What things need to be in place in your life for you to be happiest and healthiest? What protects you for overwork or abuse?

 

5. A boundary defines your relationships. What are the parameters of your relationship? Is that healthy? What is your responsibility to that other person? How are they responsible for you?

 

With all that, it makes sense that having strong boundaries is a good idea. Especially when you take into consideration these facts:

 

Boundaries…

 

…give you a better idea of who you are

…help others to understand your needs

…give guidelines in your relationships

…make for healthy interactions with other people

 

And perhaps most important of all, they are an integral part of self-care.

 

As a side note remember this: Boundaries need to be revisited occasionally and re-evaluated. As we grow and change, our boundaries will change as well. 

 

With all this at stake, it’s no wonder we give boundaries such a lot of attention. Boundaries can mean the difference between a happy and healthy life and a life of drudgery and resentment. 

 

Is it time to learn where to draw the line?

 

How Can I Spark My Imagination?

If you have woken up to discover one day that you have almost completely left your imagination behind in your childhood, you might be wondering how you can get it back. The good news is, there are many ways to spark your imagination to bring it back, a few of which are listed below. 

 

Try Something New

 

One of the main reasons you lose your imagination as you age is because you learn exactly how the world works, and it leaves no room for you to wonder about the unknown. A good way to get your imagination going again is to try something unknown to you. This can be anything from a new hobby, visiting a new restaurant, or a vacation to somewhere new. 

 

Journal

 

Journaling regularly can help spark your creativity, especially if you engage in a string of consciousness thinking where you just let your mind wander and write down whatever comes to mind. This freewriting can help open your mind to new ideas and get your imagination going again! For best results, you should try to journal as frequently as possible, maybe even every day if you can.

 

Read Imaginative Media

 

As you age, you are exposed less and less to imaginative media. Gone are the days where you would read books about castles, dragons, and far-off lands. So help get your imagination going by reading some fiction novels again! There are many fiction novels in the adult section for you to enjoy, but don't be afraid to venture to the Young Adult section. You never know what amazing story will get your mind going.

 

Make A Vision Board

 

Do you have goals in your life that you are nowhere near achieving? Well, surprisingly, achieving goals takes a fair amount of imagination! Creating a visual image of your goal, like creating a vision board, can help get those creative or imaginative juices flowing. This is especially true when you make a physical board using just supplies you can find the house (or maybe old fashion magazines) as it takes creativity to transform unused stuff into a vision board. 

 

Overall, sparking your imagination isn't hard when you know where to start! If you want to get yourself back to a creative state of mind, start by trying something new, incorporate journaling into your everyday life, read more imaginative media, and make a vision board! Before you know it, you will be feeling more imaginative than ever before! 

Top 3 Ways to Boost Your Imagination

As you age, it can be disheartening to realize that you are no longer as imaginative as you once were. This realization can leave you wondering how you can boost your imagination to be more creative. The good news is, there are several ways to boost your imagination, the top three of which are listed below. 
 
Read
 
People often associate reading with learning and thus view the activity as work or some sort of burden. But the reality is, reading a fiction or fantasy book is an amazing way to boost your creativity. You often have to use your imagination to picture the scenes and characters from the book, which you don't do in your regular life. If you can't find an adult fantasy book, don't be afraid to check out another fiction genre. You might find your new favorite book!
 
Daydream
 
When you were a kid, was the teacher always telling you to stop daydreaming? While this may have helped you focus better in math class, it wasn't good for your developing imagination! 
 
This reason is why you should get back into daydreaming as an adult. You can sit on the couch and wonder what your life would be like if it were different, or even spend your time visualizing your goals working out just the way you want to! Either way, the activity of picturing something that isn't in your real life will boost your imagination tremendously!
 
Do Something Creative
 
Now that you've learned how to boost your imagination by sitting on the couch, it's important to know that you can also boost your imagination by doing something creative. If you aren't sure where to start, consider taking an art class at your local community center. It doesn't matter what type of art it is, just that you take the time to create something from your thoughts truly! You can also work on building a garden in your yard or even writing your own book—both of these activities are creative and will get your imagination flowing!
 
Whether you want to be more imaginative when achieving your goals or get back something you lost, boosting your imagination can be a fun and relaxing activity. All you need to do to boost your imagination is to read more, spend some time daydreaming, and commit to doing something creative. Before you know it, you will imagine an all-new life for yourself filled with wonder beyond anything you thought possible!

Top 5 Benefits of a Healthy Imagination

Many people think that a healthy imagination isn’t part of a successful life, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Below are the top 5 reasons that you should work to have a healthy imagination—no matter where you may be in your life. 

 

You Will Get Further In Your Career

 

Think of that one coworker that everyone, including your boss, hates. Are they very imaginative? Probably not. Having a healthy imagination is a huge part of propelling you forward in your career as it helps you problem solve and shows your boss that you have initiative. Not only that, it can help you to enjoy your career more as you will be able to imagine where you are going with it! 

 

Imagination Leads to Passion

 

If you feel as if you aren't passionate about anything and that there isn't anything on this earth you could be passionate about, your problem isn't passion. It's the lack of imagination. Imagination helps you get excited about things that may or may not happen, which makes you passionate about activities in your life. 

 

Imagination Stimulates Innovation

 

Is there something in your life that you wish you could change? Well, without a healthy imagination, you will probably never be able to change it. This is because imagination helps your mind innovate to find solutions to problems that may exist in your personal or professional life. It can lead to all sorts of amazing possibilities as you innovate your world to suit your dreams. 

 

Imagination Helps You Cope

 

There is no way around it. Sometimes life isn't fun. If you don't have a good imagination, you may find yourself getting stuck in a rut every time something bad happens in your life. Imagination helps propel you forward and keep you thinking positively even when the future seems grim. 

 

You Use Imagination to Design Your Future

 

Do you have a hard time picturing where you will end up? This is probably because you don't have a healthy imagination. Using your imagination is a critical part of finding goals you want to pursue and being able to visualize them to motivate yourself to work towards them! Without imagination, you may find yourself stuck in the present. 

 

Regardless of where you want to end up in life, it is very clear that a healthy imagination needs to be part of your journey. This is why you should commit to boosting your imagination sooner rather than later. 

Digital Tools for Productivity and Personal Organization: Technology as a Cognitive Extension

In today's fast-paced world, the cognitive demands on individuals have grown exponentially. The volume of information we process, decisions we make, and tasks we juggle has created unprecedented challenges for personal organization and productivity. Technology has emerged as a powerful ally in this domain, effectively serving as an extension of our cognitive capabilities.

 

External Brain: Digital Knowledge Management

 

The human brain, while remarkable, has limitations in information storage and retrieval. Digital tools function as external memory systems, allowing us to capture, organize, and access information far beyond our natural capacity. Note-taking applications with powerful search capabilities ensure that important information is never truly forgotten, just a few keystrokes away from being retrieved.

 

Knowledge management systems like Notion, Evernote, and Obsidian enable users to create personal knowledge bases—digital repositories of ideas, references, and information organized in ways that mirror individual thinking patterns. These systems reduce cognitive load by externalizing the effort of remembering, allowing the mind to focus on understanding and creating rather than simply retaining information.

 

Attention Management in a Distracted World

 

Our increasingly connected environment presents constant demands for attention, making focused work increasingly difficult. Productivity technology addresses this challenge through tools designed specifically to protect and direct attention effectively.

 

Time-blocking applications help users allocate specific periods for deep work, while focus apps temporarily block distracting websites and notifications. Pomodoro technique timers structure work into manageable intervals with built-in breaks, aligning with cognitive research on optimal attention spans. These tools create the mental space necessary for meaningful productivity in an otherwise fragmented attention landscape.

 

Automation of Cognitive Overhead

 

Much of what fills our mental bandwidth isn't complex creative or analytical work, but rather the overhead of remembering mundane tasks and managing routine processes. Technology excels at automating this cognitive overhead.

 

Task management systems ensure nothing falls through the cracks, removing the mental burden of constantly reviewing what needs to be done. Calendar applications with smart scheduling features handle the logistics of time management. Automation tools handle repetitive digital tasks, from email sorting to document creation, freeing mental resources for higher-value activities.

 

Extended Intelligence Through AI Integration

 

The integration of artificial intelligence into productivity tools represents a quantum leap in how technology supports cognitive work. AI-powered writing assistants help articulate thoughts more clearly, research tools synthesize information across sources, and smart email systems prioritize messages based on importance.

 

These tools don't simply automate routine tasks—they actively enhance our thinking capabilities. An AI research assistant can identify connections between ideas that might be missed, while a smart writing tool might suggest more precise language to express a complex concept. This collaborative intelligence between human and machine creates possibilities beyond what either could accomplish alone.

 

The relationship between technology and productivity represents a fundamental shift in human capability. Rather than viewing digital tools as merely convenient utilities, we might better understand them as cognitive prosthetics—extensions of our mental capabilities that allow us to think, create, and organize at scales previously impossible.

 

As these technologies continue to evolve, incorporating more sophisticated artificial intelligence and adapting to individual cognitive styles, they promise to further expand the boundaries of personal productivity and organization, empowering individuals to achieve more with less mental friction and cognitive burden.

How Mobile Apps Are Revolutionizing Mental Health Support

In recent years, the intersection of technology and mental health has created unprecedented opportunities for individuals seeking emotional support and personal growth. Mobile applications dedicated to mental wellness have emerged as powerful tools that are reshaping how we approach self-help and psychological well-being.

 

Accessibility Breaks Down Barriers

 

Perhaps the most significant advantage of mental health apps is their accessibility. Traditional therapy often comes with barriers—high costs, scheduling difficulties, and the stigma that unfortunately still surrounds seeking help. Mobile applications break down these obstacles by providing support literally at your fingertips. Rural communities, underserved populations, and individuals with mobility limitations now have access to resources that were previously out of reach.

 

Many of these apps offer free basic versions, making mental health support available to those who cannot afford traditional therapy. This democratization of mental wellness resources represents a monumental shift in how we approach psychological care, making it more inclusive than ever before.

 

Consistency and Real-Time Support

 

Unlike weekly therapy sessions, mobile apps provide consistent engagement with mental health practices. Meditation apps guide users through daily mindfulness exercises, mood trackers help identify emotional patterns, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) applications offer techniques to challenge negative thought patterns throughout the day.

The real-time nature of these tools means support is available precisely when needed—during a panic attack, moments of intense anxiety, or when negative thoughts spiral. This immediate intervention can prevent escalation and teach users to manage difficult moments effectively.

 

Data-Driven Insights

 

One of the most powerful aspects of technology-based self-help is the ability to collect and analyze personal data. Many mental health applications track mood fluctuations, sleep patterns, activity levels, and even speech patterns to identify correlations and triggers.

 

This objective data provides insights that might be missed through self-observation alone. Users can recognize that their anxiety peaks after poor sleep, that certain social interactions consistently affect their mood, or that specific times of day are particularly challenging. These patterns, once identified, become actionable information for making life adjustments that support better mental health.

 

Personalization Through Algorithms

 

As artificial intelligence advances, mental health applications are becoming increasingly sophisticated in personalizing support. Algorithms analyze user responses and behaviors to tailor content specifically to individual needs and preferences.

 

This personalization means that rather than receiving generic advice, users get recommendations and exercises that address their specific challenges. Someone working through social anxiety will receive different tools than someone managing work-related stress, making the support more relevant and effective.

 

While technology cannot—and should not—replace professional mental healthcare for serious conditions, it has undeniably created powerful supplementary tools for self-help and personal growth. As these applications continue to evolve, incorporating advances in artificial intelligence and drawing on expanding research in psychology, they hold tremendous promise for supporting mental wellness in our increasingly digital world.

The Digital Revolution in Physical Fitness: How Technology Empowers Personal Health

The fitness landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation with the integration of technology into personal wellness routines. Smart devices, wearable technology, and innovative applications have created unprecedented opportunities for individuals to take control of their physical health in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago.

 

Personalized Fitness Through Data

 

Traditional fitness approaches often relied on generic workout plans and nutrition advice. Today's technology enables highly personalized fitness regimens based on individual data. Smartwatches and fitness trackers monitor heart rate, sleep quality, step count, and even blood oxygen levels, providing a comprehensive picture of physical health.

 

This wealth of personal data allows for precise adjustments to workout intensity, recovery periods, and nutrition plans. Users can identify which exercises yield the best results for their unique physiology, when their body performs optimally, and how various factors like sleep and nutrition impact their performance.

 

Motivation Through Gamification and Community

 

One of the greatest challenges in maintaining fitness routines is staying motivated. Technology addresses this through gamification—turning exercise into engaging experiences with achievements, points, and progress tracking. Apps like Zombies, Run! transform a simple jog into an immersive adventure, while others reward consistent workouts with virtual badges or real-world rewards.

 

Digital platforms also facilitate community building, connecting users with like-minded individuals pursuing similar goals. Online fitness communities provide encouragement, accountability, and friendly competition. Research consistently shows that social support significantly increases adherence to fitness programs, and technology makes this support accessible regardless of geographic location.

 

Democratized Expert Knowledge

 

Previously, expert fitness knowledge was primarily available through personal trainers or specialized education. Technology has democratized this expertise, making professional guidance accessible to everyone. Video platforms offer detailed tutorials from world-class trainers, while interactive applications provide form correction and technique demonstrations.

 

Artificial intelligence has further advanced this trend, with applications that analyze movement patterns through smartphone cameras to provide real-time feedback on exercise form—functionality once available only through expensive personal training sessions.

 

Breaking Down Barriers to Exercise

 

For many people, traditional fitness environments like gyms present significant barriers—inconvenient locations, intimidating atmospheres, or prohibitive costs. Technology has eliminated many of these obstacles by bringing effective workouts into the home.

 

Virtual reality fitness programs make exercise engaging and immersive without leaving the house. Streaming platforms offer diverse workout options ranging from high-intensity interval training to yoga, accommodating different preferences and fitness levels. Meanwhile, smart home equipment with integrated screens provides guided workouts and performance tracking previously available only in high-end fitness facilities.

 

The technological revolution in fitness represents a fundamental shift in how individuals approach physical health. By providing personalized insights, motivation, expert guidance, and convenient options, technology empowers people to take control of their wellness journey in ways that fit their unique needs and circumstances.

 

As these technologies continue to evolve, incorporating artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and increasingly sophisticated biometric tracking, the future of self-directed fitness looks increasingly accessible, effective, and tailored to individual needs.