The Magic of Thinking Big

David J Schwartz
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Summary

"The Magic of Thinking Big" by David J Schwartz is a self-help book that explores the concept of success and how it can be achieved through positive thinking and confidence in oneself. The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the mindset of successful people.

The author argues that success is not necessarily determined by one's intelligence or talent but rather by their attitude and outlook on life. He suggests that one of the main obstacles to success is negative thinking and self-doubt, and that the key to overcoming these obstacles is to think positively and believe in oneself.

Throughout the book, Schwartz emphasizes the importance of setting goals, taking action, and overcoming fear and hesitation. He provides practical advice and strategies for developing a growth mindset and cultivating a positive attitude towards life.

Overall, "The Magic of Thinking Big" aims to inspire readers to believe in themselves, set high goals, and take action towards achieving their dreams. It is a valuable resource for anyone looking to develop a more positive and proactive approach to life and success.

Key ideas

1. Believe in yourself and your abilities: The book emphasizes the power of self-belief and encourages readers to have confidence in their abilities. Schwartz notes that one's thoughts and beliefs shape their actions and outcomes, so having a positive attitude is crucial for success. For instance, thinking "I can do it" instead of "I don't think I'm able to" is an example of how positive thinking can significantly influence success.

2. Set high goals and aim for success: The book stresses the importance of setting high goals and aiming for success as a way to achieve success. Schwartz advises readers to create big, bold objectives and work towards them with passion and determination. For instance, an entrepreneur aiming to expand their business to a new market can set high revenue targets and create a strategic plan to achieve their goals.

3. Develop a positive mental attitude: Schwartz encourages readers to cultivate a positive mental attitude as a way to overcome obstacles and challenges. He suggests that a positive outlook can help one see opportunities where others see only problems. He also emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins and taking inspiration from other success stories

4. Build strong relationships and networks: Schwartz emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and networks. He notes that the people one associates with can significantly influence their success. For instance, forming partnerships and alliances with like-minded individuals or forming strong bonds with mentors and advisors can open up new opportunities for professional growth.

5. Create a sense of urgency: Schwartz encourages readers to cultivate a sense of urgency and act promptly when an opportunity presents itself. He notes that procrastinating or waiting for the right moment can result in missed opportunities. One example of this is when a job seeker quickly applies to job openings online instead of waiting for the perfect job listing.

6. Embrace change and take calculated risks: The book emphasizes the need to embrace change and take calculated risks as a way to grow and succeed. Schwartz encourages readers to identify and capitalize on emerging trends and to be willing to step outside of their comfort zones. For instance, a small business owner who is experiencing flat growth can take calculated risks by exploring new product lines or offering services to new clients.

Quotes

1. "Believe you can succeed and you will."
2. "Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next."
3. "You are what you think you are."
4. "The size of your thinking determines the size of your results."
5. "You don't need to be a genius or a visionary, or even a college graduate for that matter, to be successful. You just need framework and a dream."
6. "Think big, act big, and results will be big."
7. "The difference between a person who is broke and a person who is rich is their mindset."
8. "The mind is everything. What you think, you become."
9. "Your attitude towards failure determines your altitude after failure."
10. "Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it. Believing a solution paves the way to a solution."

Action items

1. Believe in yourself: The book emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself. It suggests that you must develop a positive mental attitude towards yourself and your abilities. Visualize yourself achieving your goals and believe that you can make it happen.

2. Set high goals: The book suggests setting high goals for yourself. The higher the goal, the more motivated you will be to achieve it. Identify what you want to achieve, and set specific, measurable, and achievable goals to get there.

3. Develop a positive mental attitude: Develop a positive mental attitude by focusing on positive thoughts, affirmations, and avoiding negative thinking patterns. Work to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and use affirmations to remind yourself of your potential.

4. Take action: To achieve your goals, you must take action. Develop a plan and take small actions every day to get closer to your goals. Focus on making progress rather than perfection and learn from your mistakes to improve your results.

5. Build strong relationships: Develop strong relationships with the people around you. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who will encourage you along the way. Build networks that will help you achieve your goals.

6. Continuously Improve: The book encourages readers to constantly improve their knowledge and skills. Invest in your personal and professional growth through books, courses, and other learning opportunities. Keep a growth mindset and continuously seek out opportunities to learn and develop.

7. Be persistent: Persistence is critical to achieving your goals. The book suggests that you must have the resilience to overcome setbacks and keep moving towards your goal. Keep trying and keep learning, and you will eventually succeed.