Aspire to Greatness? Start Small.
“You aspire to do great things? Begin with the little ones” (St. Augustine).
There was a time in my life when I felt stuck.
From the outside, things looked fine. I loved my job, I had a good routine, and I was living out many of the responsibilities entrusted to me. But deep down, there was a stirring — a gentle, persistent whisper that said, “You were made for more.”
I wasn’t ungrateful. In fact, I enjoyed my work and appreciated the structure it gave me. But I felt a longing to use more of the gifts God had placed within me. I wanted to pour myself into something that aligned more closely with my purpose — something that helped others grow in faith and joy.
So, I began small.
I started taking courses to develop myself. I devoured motivational talks from the likes of Les Brown and other inspiring voices. I listened, learned, and reflected. Their messages struck a deep chord in me — especially those that spoke of dreams, purpose, and becoming who you were truly meant to be. They awakened something that had been dormant: hope, courage, and vision.
Eventually, I created something I once thought impossible: a Catholic board game designed to teach children about virtues and the Catechism and to spark deeper conversations about our faith.
Not long after, I also founded my Catholic coaching business. These steps didn’t happen overnight. They were the fruits of obedience to a desire that began with a whisper — and was nurtured over time through small, faithful actions.
In living this path, I discovered something life-changing: Aspiring to great things is not prideful — it is virtuous.
The Virtue of Magnanimity
So often, especially as women of faith, we hesitate to dream too big. We fear being seen as proud or self-important. We quiet our desires so we don’t outshine others. We dim our lights to fit in.
However, when I began to study the virtues more deeply, I came across magnanimity — a word that changed everything for me.
St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that magnanimity is the virtue that inclines us to pursue great things, especially when they’re worthy and noble. It’s about rising to the full height of our calling — not for our glory, but for God’s.
Magnanimity and humility are not opposites. In fact, they coexist beautifully. Humility reminds us that we rely on God for everything. It grounds us in the reality that our gifts are not self-made — they’re entrusted to us for the service of others. Mother Teresa said, “Knowledge of self leads to humility.”
When I became more aware of both my strengths and my limitations, I began to understand how God wanted to use me — not in spite of my humanity but through it.
If you feel like you're made for more, start here:
Self-Awareness
Where am I right now — spiritually, emotionally, professionally?
Where am I being called to grow?
Where am I using the gifts He’s given me, or am I hiding them out of fear or comfort?
Where will I be in five years if I keep going the way I’m going?
These are hard but holy questions. Asking them is the first sign that God is inviting you into something deeper. A call to reflect is often the beginning of a call to act.
Discernment
This journey isn’t about chasing dreams aimlessly. It’s about discerning God’s dream for your life. Bring your desires into prayer. Journal. Reflect. Speak to a spiritual director or a trusted mentor. Let God confirm and shape your path. He is not a God of confusion, but of clarity.
Remember: God often reveals the next step — not the entire staircase.
What’s Necessary
St. Francis of Assisi said it well: “Start by doing what's necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
For me, this meant staying faithful to my job while taking small steps forward. I enrolled in workshops, worked on my mindset, began offering free coaching sessions, and slowly transitioned into paid sessions. I didn’t rush the process — but I also didn’t ignore the call.
Each small act became a stepping stone. Over time, it led to something bigger. Now, by the grace of God, I feel more fulfilled, more creative, and more connected to my purpose — even with the challenges that come.
One Goal at a Time
Dreaming big is good — but don’t let it overwhelm you. Choose one clear goal and break it into steps.
When I began working on the board game, it felt huge. But I broke it down into manageable steps:
Researched similar games
Created a basic prototype
Set deadlines
Asked for feedback
Received coaching to stay on track
Every step mattered.
One workshop in particular, led by the inspiring Lisa Canning, gave me the mindset shift I didn’t know I needed — and that became the final push I needed to bring my Catholic board game to life.
Collaboration
You’re not meant to do it all alone. Collaboration isn’t a weakness — it’s wisdom. Some of my most meaningful projects have come from working with other passionate Catholics. Whether it's a designer, a fellow coach, or someone with complementary skills, teaming up can multiply my impact and keep me motivated.
A Focus on Mission
We live in a world full of distractions. It’s easy to get sidetracked by success metrics, social media, or other people’s timelines. But your true north must always be love — love of God and love of others.
Your mission is not about being impressive. It’s about being impactful. It’s about serving from your gifts and glorifying God in the process.
You Are Made for Great Things
If you’ve ever had that persistent feeling — that whisper saying, “There’s more for you,” listen closely. That longing may be the Holy Spirit inviting you to something greater.
Greatness isn’t about fame or fortune. It’s about faithfulness. It’s about becoming the woman God created you to be — step by step, virtue by virtue, day by day.
So don’t be afraid to start small. Don’t be afraid to shine your light. And don’t be afraid to aspire to do great things — because maybe, just maybe, you actually are meant to. After all, business can be a means of sanctification when we do it with love and for the love of God and others (like St. Zélie did!).
Jacqueline Clovis is a certified life coach with a background in psychology and management. She empowers women and children to thrive through purpose, mindset, and well-being coaching all from a Catholic perspective. She is the Creator of the Thrive Model and 4 Steps to Align with God’s Design, she offers faith-based programs for women and parents. Follow her: @determinedtothrive_ and @shethriveswithpurpose.