I'm a happy expat with a solid career in tech in my early 30s. I'm healthy, have a family and, while no "big" wealth, the privilege of some financial stability.

However, I seem incapable of "thinking big" (not specifically in the startup/entrepreneur sense)

It shows in silly ways, like getting an idea shut down because it misses a point of economies of scale, or more serious, like constantly dismissing Pareto and spending most of my time on grunt work (I've gotten a pass because I eventually panic and carve out 20% of my time to deliver 1-2 big rocks at high quality.)

As I age and value my time more, I start wondering whether not being able to think big will jeopardize my retirement and my family's future.

Most of what I can find online feels very self-helpy (says the person asking on HN) and focuses on "visualizing your dreams". Most of what I can find on HN is old content, now gone, and an article by @yegg, also gone but with a nice comment thread.

Maybe it is about writing down and processes and rituals. Or maybe I'm doomed and if I wasn't taught it it won't come (and I'll still be fine) but I want to think I can reprogram myself and learn to think big.

Are there specific exercises, models, analogies, processes, techniques or any other devices you use at work, in your personal finances or in life more broadly to help you "think big"? How do you "know" it's "big enough"? And how do you "act" on "big thinking"?