What Does Aim Higher Mean To You?
Posted by [email protected] on Apr. 11, 2024 / Ways of Working / Subscribe 0
If you haven't heard, we're gearing up for our 2024 Professional Development Conference. This year's theme is Aim Higher. Before I share my thoughts on what it means to me, I thought I would share what it means to a few others who regularly Aim Higher while working hard to bring meaningful experiences to our chapter members.
Michelle Schumann
“If you aim higher than you expect, you could reach higher than you dreamed”. – Richard Banson
Aiming high is about setting ambitious goals that push the boundaries of what we believe is possible. It's about daring to dream beyond our comfort zone and reaching for the stars with unwavering determination. This quote beautifully captures the essence of aiming high - by embracing this mindset, you open yourself up to a world of endless possibilities and opportunities for growth. It's a reminder that our aspirations should stretch beyond what we think we're capable of, because only by aiming high can we truly soar to new heights and accomplish things beyond our wildest imagination. So, dare to aim higher than you ever thought possible, and you might just find yourself soaring to places you never imagined.
Randi Williams
Aim higher can mean anything, but to me, it is about setting ambitious goals which challenge and push you beyond your comfort zone. It involves envisioning possibilities that may seem beyond reach at first glance, but through determination and effort, become achievable milestones. Embracing this mindset entails not only personal growth but also a commitment to giving back to the community, recognizing success is not solely defined by individual accomplishments but also by the positive impact I can make on others. It requires dedication and perseverance, consistently putting in the work required to turn aspirations into reality, and understanding the journey towards higher aims is often as rewarding as the destination itself.
Mayte Mata Sivere
When I think about PMI's culture and values, one that I really love is 'Aim Higher.' It's all about aiming for the stars and shows our commitment to doing the right things, being accountable, and continuous improvement.
Elizabeth Miller
To me, aim higher means continuous improvement and striving for more. There have been so many times in my personal life or career when I've aimed too low and not accomplished as much because I was afraid of failure. I've been grateful to learn that if I am high, I'll end up gaining more than if I lowballed it. You will inevitably fail at some of the things you try. The learning experience is invaluable.
Julie Tilton
It’s about challenging yourself to reach for goals that may seem just beyond your current capabilities, whether in personal or professional endeavors. By embracing discomfort and uncertainty, you open yourself up to new opportunities for learning, innovation, and personal development. Aiming higher in this way not only expands your skill set and knowledge but also cultivates resilience and confidence in your ability to tackle challenges head-on. It’s a mindset that encourages continuous improvement and allows you to realize your full potential.
Jeff Lund
Aim higher to me means a couple of things. First, aim higher in your goals and what you think you can an achieve. For example at work, what are career goals you want to achieve or that may be slightly crazy to achieve? Aiming higher is preparing yourself to achieve those goals.
Second, aim higher is expecting more from yourself on how you complete your current work. What one or two things in your current work that if you changed, would have you doing better work or completing your work at a different level? It might be something like taking a class or could be getting a certification or maybe just doing the thing you keep putting off completing, that would help you contribute even more to your current position or role. It’s amazing how 1-2% more effort or efficiency can create over time. See how you could elevate your skills or abilities just a little this year, that over time will put you on track to be in a very different and even better place next year. Definitely we can all aim higher in a few areas of our career and life.
Quincy Chapman
Aiming high means setting goals that make you stretch a bit further than you're used to, challenging yourself to reach for something beyond your current grasp. It's about not just settling for what's easy or comfortable but pushing yourself to achieve more. This isn't just about hitting big, flashy targets; it's also about personal growth and stepping outside your comfort zone to learn and improve. Aiming high is believing that you can do better and then putting in the work to make it happen. It's about the small, daily efforts as much as the big achievements, recognizing that every step forward is a step towards something greater. In its essence, aiming high is a down-to-earth approach to living life fully, making the most of your abilities, and not being afraid to reach for more.
I guess it's my turn now. Bear with me, I'm more critical thinker than motivational speaker.
To be honest, I'm all over the map when it comes to expressions like Aim Higher. You work at a company that is trying to transform and they come up with meaningful phrases, but they don't mean the same thing to everyone and no matter where you start, you inevitably end up at "go faster" and "do more with less" or something similar that just sounds fluffy and saccharine - word candy, if that's a thing. (Don't ask me how I feel about "delighting the customer.") And then there are phrases like festina lente, or "make haste slowly," that I find incredibly meaningful in both its original context and modern application when used appropriately. I can get behind thinking of aiming higher as a mindset embodied by the question, "How can I deliver the value that is needed?", but it can't just be about doing more. There has to be purpose and value in it, and you have to have the capacity to do it. If you don't currently have the capacity, but it's something worth doing, figure out how to get there. You don't have to get there today or tomorrow, but you can start. You can grow your capacity to realize your dreams and cut out the distractions so that you can achieve more meaningful things. Aim Higher!
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