I read an article some time ago in which Carlos Brito, CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev, said, “Dreaming small and dreaming big take the same energy. So dream big.”  Of course he was talking about dreams within the context of a large multinational corporation, whose stated purpose is “To be the best beer company in a better world.” I agree with Carlos and believe there is application of his message beyond corporations.

When I was a young person, I dreamed of graduating high school. This was no small feat. I was below average in many ways.  As I moved closer to accomplishing that goal, I dreamed of attending college. As I stretched toward and beyond graduating college, the barriers grew steeper, and my dreams became bigger. There is nothing like success to fortify our faith in what more might be possible. How might we help young people see their small successes as confidence boosts to dream bigger and bolder, even when they fail?

When I graduated college with my first advanced degree, I interviewed at the hometown Anheuser-Busch. I didn’t get the job, but it didn’t deter me. I continued to nurture my dreams and hone my skills, not knowing that I would get a mentoring session with a director of the Anheuser-Busch board, John Jacob. And many years later, I would meet Dave Peacock, former CEO, and later have a great connection with his predecessor, Luiz Edmond.

Sometimes when you dream what you think is a big dream, there are other plans, alternative routes, and bigger things ahead you don’t yet know about.  Let’s help young people to dream big. I believe many will shock us by what they ultimately achieve.