Comments on: Common Mistakes: Thinking Small http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/ Preston Bailey is an award winning event designer. He is renowned for his breathtaking weddings, unique floral designs, centerpieces, floral artistry, and inspired table settings. Fri, 24 May 2013 22:49:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Vanessa Alce http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-8814 Vanessa Alce Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:07:25 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-8814 Thank you for this post! More often than not people confuse humility and meakness with keeping a small mentality. The one day that changed my life was when Pastor Al, my youth pastor, told me "dream big dreams, Vanessa." Those words stuck with me! A young girl from a broken family with no money graduated from Rollins College and owns her own event planning company. I continue to dream big even if sometimes it means needing a "push" when I lose my focus :) I hope to influence others to do the same. Thank you for this post! More often than not people confuse humility and meakness with keeping a small mentality. The one day that changed my life was when Pastor Al, my youth pastor, told me “dream big dreams, Vanessa.” Those words stuck with me! A young girl from a broken family with no money graduated from Rollins College and owns her own event planning company. I continue to dream big even if sometimes it means needing a “push” when I lose my focus :) I hope to influence others to do the same.

]]> By: Pam Archer http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-7748 Pam Archer Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:07:31 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-7748 Interestingly, I am the daughter of a Baptist minister, and am a Christian. The difference between our backgrounds is that I was taught that I could do anything! My parents instilled a belief I could achieve any goal that I set and that there wasn't anything I couldn't do, if I worked hard enough. They also taught me to always go "all out" to make others feel special. Meager as our means were, we had lots and lots of dinner guests, adding to our family of 8. We set the table with our best, mismatched dishes, chipped glassware, always had fresh flowers, and did our best to make our guests feel welcome and loved. My mother and dad said everyone should learn hospitality, because it demonstrates love for others and is an extension of God's love toward us Some people would call that "putting on the dog". I have taught my daughters the same things. They have each thanked me for teaching them the art of hospitality. :) A quick story, and an important one for parents and those who mentor others: I was about 12 years old. I wanted to do a table centerpiece to surprise my mother, and it was important to me that it be creative. I took her milk glass cake stand, turned it upside down, and put water in the bottom. I floated some blooms. It probably looked pretty cheesy, but my mother praised my work. Had she belittled it, I think it might have broken my spirit and I might not have felt the freedom to create moving forward. This was more than 40 years ago, so it wasn't an idea I had seen on TV, in a magazine, or on a blog. What we say to our children and those we are teaching is so important. Thank you for your ever encouraging words, Preston. They mean more than you know! Interestingly, I am the daughter of a Baptist minister, and am a Christian. The difference between our backgrounds is that I was taught that I could do anything! My parents instilled a belief I could achieve any goal that I set and that there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do, if I worked hard enough. They also taught me to always go “all out” to make others feel special. Meager as our means were, we had lots and lots of dinner guests, adding to our family of 8. We set the table with our best, mismatched dishes, chipped glassware, always had fresh flowers, and did our best to make our guests feel welcome and loved. My mother and dad said everyone should learn hospitality, because it demonstrates love for others and is an extension of God’s love toward us Some people would call that “putting on the dog”. I have taught my daughters the same things. They have each thanked me for teaching them the art of hospitality. :)

A quick story, and an important one for parents and those who mentor others:

I was about 12 years old. I wanted to do a table centerpiece to surprise my mother, and it was important to me that it be creative. I took her milk glass cake stand, turned it upside down, and put water in the bottom. I floated some blooms. It probably looked pretty cheesy, but my mother praised my work. Had she belittled it, I think it might have broken my spirit and I might not have felt the freedom to create moving forward. This was more than 40 years ago, so it wasn’t an idea I had seen on TV, in a magazine, or on a blog. What we say to our children and those we are teaching is so important. Thank you for your ever encouraging words, Preston. They mean more than you know!

]]> By: Homemade Solar Cells http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-2869 Homemade Solar Cells Sun, 17 Oct 2010 16:01:12 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-2869 Thanks a lot for the great tips. I have bookmarked your site and will refer to it again later. Thanks a lot for the great tips. I have bookmarked your site and will refer to it again later.

]]> By: Navjot http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-2834 Navjot Fri, 15 Oct 2010 23:31:56 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-2834 You are so right about thinking big. If you do not dream big then you can not create big and you will always be looking at others around you. But you always should be open minded to learn from experienced designer such as you. I feel lucky to start my career from Richard Allen Inc. in Austin,Texas in 1998. I learn to dream through someone else vision. Richard taught me to think big. But the culture that I come from many a time adds the fear in there that am I going beyond from real to unreal. I am constantly working on it and again feel lucky enough to be able to send you a post. You are so right about thinking big. If you do not dream big then you can not create big and you will always be looking at others around you. But you always should be open minded to learn from experienced designer such as you. I feel lucky to start my career from Richard Allen Inc. in Austin,Texas in 1998. I learn to dream through someone else vision. Richard taught me to think big. But the culture that I come from many a time adds the fear in there that am I going beyond from real to unreal.
I am constantly working on it and again feel lucky enough to be able to send you a post.

]]> By: YOUR NAME http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-2357 YOUR NAME Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:24:53 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-2357 Preston you are my greatest inspiration after GOD and I appreciate all the tips you have Preston you are my greatest inspiration after GOD and I appreciate all the tips you have

]]> By: beatriz http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-842 beatriz Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:01:46 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-842 Vivo en Mèxico, donde puedo conseguir tus maravillosos libros? En EEUU dònde los venden? gracias. Vivo en Mèxico, donde puedo conseguir tus maravillosos libros? En EEUU dònde los venden? gracias.

]]> By: norah http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-841 norah Wed, 19 May 2010 04:30:11 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-841 I think both big and small. Big enough to keep my vision intact, and small enough to ensure I'm taking the necessary steps I need to take in order to reach the "think big" dream. However, I must also point out it's important to consider the fact that "thinking big" has its costs and I'm not talking about money. Let's consider a different perspective. It's easier for all of us to get so indulged in "thinking big" that we forget to plan ahead. The truth is, no one ever mentions the fact that "thinking big" requires much effort, time and great sacrifice. What are you willing to give up in order to achieve your "think big dreams?!" It's much easier to think about the rewarding benefits of having a "think big dream," but what is it going to cost you in the long run?! Think think think! Is it going to cost you your health? (Think about the enormous amount of stress that comes along with "big dreams.") How will you deal with it? And more importantly, what's more important to you? Your "think big dreams" or your family? Is it going to cost you your marriage and/or time spent with family members? (Think about the amount of time and effort it will take for you to achieve this "big dream" of yours and consider how it will affect the people in your life.) I can go on and on and on. And please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage anyone, but I believe if you are going to "think big," then it's wise to plan ahead and prioritize both your personal and business goals accordingly. Because with "think big dreams" comes a very hefty price tag that money cannot buy. And sometimes that hefty price tag is not all worth it in the end if your "think big dreams" end up costing you the most important treasures of life. I think both big and small. Big enough to keep my vision intact, and small enough to ensure I’m taking the necessary steps I need to take in order to reach the “think big” dream. However, I must also point out it’s important to consider the fact that “thinking big” has its costs and I’m not talking about money. Let’s consider a different perspective. It’s easier for all of us to get so indulged in “thinking big” that we forget to plan ahead. The truth is, no one ever mentions the fact that “thinking big” requires much effort, time and great sacrifice. What are you willing to give up in order to achieve your “think big dreams?!” It’s much easier to think about the rewarding benefits of having a “think big dream,” but what is it going to cost you in the long run?! Think think think! Is it going to cost you your health? (Think about the enormous amount of stress that comes along with “big dreams.”) How will you deal with it? And more importantly, what’s more important to you? Your “think big dreams” or your family? Is it going to cost you your marriage and/or time spent with family members? (Think about the amount of time and effort it will take for you to achieve this “big dream” of yours and consider how it will affect the people in your life.) I can go on and on and on. And please don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to discourage anyone, but I believe if you are going to “think big,” then it’s wise to plan ahead and prioritize both your personal and business goals accordingly. Because with “think big dreams” comes a very hefty price tag that money cannot buy. And sometimes that hefty price tag is not all worth it in the end if your “think big dreams” end up costing you the most important treasures of life.

]]> By: medical assistant http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-840 medical assistant Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:32:14 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-840 Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article

]]> By: Karolina http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-839 Karolina Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:01:25 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-839 I agree You 100%!!!! In the end of May I'm going to have my best friend wedding and I'm trying to help her as much as I can, because she is abroad at this moment. And You know what? She hired professional photographer and I'm going to take 13 years old girl who is interested in photography to be as second photographer in her wedding:) My boyfriend thinks I'm totally crazy, but I'm not:) I know what i'm doing: that girl's photos are realy great and she is very inspired about this suggestion. It's never too late and never too early to make great things:) P.S. even that girl's mother is afraid, but I'm not and that girl isn't too:) I agree You 100%!!!! In the end of May I’m going to have my best friend wedding and I’m trying to help her as much as I can, because she is abroad at this moment. And You know what? She hired professional photographer and I’m going to take 13 years old girl who is interested in photography to be as second photographer in her wedding:) My boyfriend thinks I’m totally crazy, but I’m not:) I know what i’m doing: that girl’s photos are realy great and she is very inspired about this suggestion. It’s never too late and never too early to make great things:) P.S. even that girl’s mother is afraid, but I’m not and that girl isn’t too:)

]]> By: Kristin http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/04/01/common-mistakes-thinking-small/#comment-838 Kristin Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:35:21 +0000 http://www.prestonbailey.com/?p=1898#comment-838 Think BIG alllllllll the way. Imagine all the possibilities. I love this industry. Need an intern Preston? Think BIG alllllllll the way. Imagine all the possibilities. I love this industry. Need an intern Preston?

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