Books
Book Title The Magic of Thinking Big
Author David J. Schwartz
Genre of the Book Self-help/Motivational Psychology.
Book Review

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz is a self-help book that aims to teach readers how to achieve success in their personal and professional lives by changing their mindset. The book was first published in 1959, but its message is still relevant today.
The book is divided into several chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of thinking big. The author begins by explaining the importance of having a positive attitude and believing in oneself. He then goes on to discuss the power of visualization, goal setting, and taking action.
Throughout the book, Schwartz emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own life and not making excuses. He also encourages readers to surround themselves with positive people and to avoid negative influences.
The themes of the book include self-improvement, personal growth, and success. The author’s writing style is straightforward and easy to understand, with plenty of real-life examples and practical advice.
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the author’s emphasis on taking action. He stresses that it’s not enough to simply think big; one must also take concrete steps towards achieving their goals. I also appreciated the author’s focus on personal responsibility and the idea that success is within one’s control.
Overall, I would highly recommend The Magic of Thinking Big to anyone looking to improve their mindset and achieve success in their personal or professional life. Here are 10 key takeaways from the book:
1. Believe in yourself and your abilities.
2. Visualize your goals and focus on them daily.
3. Set specific, measurable goals and take action towards achieving them.
4. Surround yourself with positive people and avoid negative influences.
5. Take responsibility for your own life and don’t make excuses.
6. Learn from failure and use it as a stepping stone to success.
7. Continuously improve yourself and your skills.
8. Be proactive and take initiative.
9. Manage your time effectively and prioritize your tasks.
10. Stay motivated and persevere through challenges.
In terms of strengths, the book provides practical advice and real-life examples that readers can relate to. The author’s writing style is also engaging and easy to follow.
However, one weakness of the book is that some of the examples and advice may seem outdated or irrelevant to modern readers. For example, the author suggests that women should focus on being good homemakers and supporting their husbands’ careers, which may not resonate with all readers.
Overall, I found The Magic of Thinking Big to be a valuable

Summary of book

The Magic of Thinking Big is a self-help book by David J. Schwartz that focuses on the power of positive thinking and how it can help individuals achieve success in their personal and professional lives. The book provides practical advice and strategies for developing a positive mindset, overcoming fear and self-doubt, setting and achieving goals, and building strong relationships. The central theme of the book is that success is not determined by one’s intelligence, talent, or luck, but rather by their attitude and belief in themselves. The book has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into numerous languages.

Highlights of Book

The Magic of Thinking Big is divided into 13 chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of how to develop a mindset for success.
Chapter 1: Believe You Can Succeed and You Will
This chapter discusses the importance of having a positive attitude and believing in oneself. It emphasizes that success starts with the belief that you can achieve it.
Chapter 2: Cure Yourself of Excusitis, the Failure Disease
This chapter discusses how to overcome the habit of making excuses and taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions.
Chapter 3: Build Confidence and Destroy Fear
This chapter provides practical tips for building self-confidence and overcoming fear. It emphasizes the importance of taking action and facing one’s fears to achieve success.
Chapter 4: How to Think Big
This chapter discusses the importance of setting big goals and thinking creatively to achieve them. It provides strategies for breaking down big goals into smaller, more manageable steps.
Chapter 5: How to Think and Dream Creatively
This chapter provides techniques for developing creativity and innovation. It encourages readers to think outside the box and explore new ideas.
Chapter 6: You Are What You Think You Are
This chapter emphasizes the power of self-image and how it can impact one’s success. It provides strategies for improving self-image and developing a positive mindset.
Chapter 7: Manage Your Environment: Go First Class
This chapter discusses the impact of one’s environment on their success. It provides tips for creating a positive and productive environment that supports success.
Chapter 8: Make Your Attitudes Your Allies
This chapter emphasizes the importance of having a positive attitude and how it can impact one’s success. It provides strategies for developing a positive attitude and overcoming negative thinking.
Chapter 9: Think Right Toward People
This chapter discusses the importance of building positive relationships with others. It provides strategies for developing effective communication skills and building strong relationships.
Chapter 10: Get the Action Habit
This chapter emphasizes the importance of taking action to achieve success. It provides strategies for overcoming procrastination and taking consistent action towards one’s goals.
Chapter 11: How to Turn Defeat into Victory
This chapter provides strategies for overcoming setbacks and turning failures into opportunities for growth and success.
Chapter 12: Use Goals to Help You Grow
This chapter discusses the importance of setting goals and how they can help one grow and achieve success. It provides strategies for setting and achieving goals effectively.
Chapter 13: How to Think Like a Leader
This chapter

Summary of Chapters

Chapter 1: Believe You Can Succeed and You Will
Schwartz emphasizes the importance of having a positive attitude towards success and believing in oneself. He argues that self-belief is a crucial factor in achieving success and that individuals who believe in their ability to succeed are more likely to take risks and pursue their goals.
Chapter 2: Cure Yourself of Excusitis, the Failure Disease
Excusitis is the habit of making excuses for not taking action or for failing to achieve one’s goals. Schwartz identifies several types of excusitis and provides strategies for overcoming them, such as taking responsibility for one’s actions and focusing on solutions rather than problems.
Chapter 3: Build Confidence and Destroy Fear
Fear is a common obstacle to success, and Schwartz offers advice on how to overcome it. He suggests taking small steps towards one’s goals, visualizing success, and focusing on the benefits of taking action.
Chapter 4: How to Think Big
Thinking big involves setting ambitious goals and believing in one’s ability to achieve them. Schwartz recommends developing a clear vision of one’s goals, breaking them down into smaller, achievable steps, and taking consistent action towards them.
Chapter 5: How to Think and Dream Creatively
Creative thinking is essential for achieving success, and Schwartz provides strategies for developing this skill. He suggests cultivating curiosity, seeking out new experiences, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity.
Chapter 6: You Are What You Think You Are
Schwartz argues that our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality, and that changing our thoughts can lead to positive changes in our lives. He encourages readers to adopt a growth mindset, focus on their strengths, and surround themselves with positive influences.
Chapter 7: Manage Your Environment: Go First Class
Our environment can have a significant impact on our success, and Schwartz recommends surrounding ourselves with positive and supportive people and creating a conducive environment for achieving our goals.
Chapter 8: Make Your Attitudes Your Allies
Our attitudes towards ourselves and our circumstances can either help or hinder our success. Schwartz encourages readers to cultivate a positive attitude, focus on the positive aspects of their lives, and avoid negative self-talk.
Chapter 9: Think Right Toward People
Interpersonal skills are crucial for success, and Schwartz provides advice on how to develop them. He suggests listening actively, showing empathy, and treating others with respect.
Chapter 10: Get the Action Habit
Taking consistent action is essential for achieving success, and Schwartz provides strategies

Impact of the book

1. “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 solution.”
2. “The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success.”
3. “Action cures fear. Indecision, postponement, on the other hand, fertilize fear.”
4. “The fear of failure is the greatest single obstacle to success in adult life.”
5. “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.”
6. “You are what you think you are. You control your life by controlling your thoughts.”
7. “The person who thinks he can and the person who thinks he can’t are both right. Which one are you?”

Main Take aways

Introduction:
– The size of your thinking determines the size of your accomplishments.
– Think big and you will achieve big things.
Chapter 1: Believe You Can Succeed and You Will
– Belief is the starting point of all achievement.
– Develop a success mindset by believing in yourself and your abilities.
– Eliminate self-doubt and negative thinking.
Chapter 2: Cure Yourself of Excusitis, the Failure Disease
– Excusitis is the habit of making excuses for why you can’t achieve your goals.
– Eliminate excuses and take responsibility for your actions.
– Focus on solutions, not problems.
Chapter 3: Build Confidence and Destroy Fear
– Fear holds people back from achieving their goals.
– Build confidence by taking action and facing your fears.
– The more you do, the more confident you become.
Chapter 4: How to Think Big
– Thinking big requires a shift in mindset.
– Set high goals and work towards achieving them.
– Focus on solutions, not problems.
Chapter 5: How to Think and Dream Creatively
– Creative thinking is essential for achieving big goals.
– Generate ideas by brainstorming and thinking outside the box.
– Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things.
Chapter 6: You Are What You Think You Are
– Your self-image determines your success.
– Develop a positive self-image by focusing on your strengths and accomplishments.
– Eliminate negative self-talk and replace it with positive affirmations.
Chapter 7: Manage Your Environment: Go First Class
– Your environment can either support or hinder your success.
– Surround yourself with positive people and a positive environment.
– Invest in yourself and your success.
Chapter 8: Make Your Attitudes Your Allies
– Your attitude is a powerful tool for achieving success.
– Develop a positive attitude by focusing on the good in every situation.
– Eliminate negative attitudes and replace them with positive ones.
Chapter 9: Think Right Toward People
– Building positive relationships is essential for success.
– Treat others with respect and kindness.
– Focus on what you can do for others, not what they can do for you.
Chapter 10: Get the Action Habit
– Taking action is the key to achieving big goals.
– Develop the habit of taking action and following through on your goals.
– Start small and build momentum.
Chapter 11: How to Turn Defeat into Victory
– Failure is a natural part of the journey to success.

Practical Applications

In “The Magic of Thinking Big,” David J. Schwartz suggests several practical applications and actionable steps to help readers develop a mindset of success and achieve their goals.
1. Believe in Yourself: The author emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself. He suggests that readers should focus on their strengths and abilities, and not let self-doubt hold them back.
2. Set Goals: Schwartz recommends setting specific, measurable goals and breaking them down into smaller, achievable steps. He suggests writing down goals and reviewing them regularly to stay on track.
3. Take Action: The author emphasizes the importance of taking action towards achieving goals, even if it means stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. He suggests taking small steps towards progress each day.
4. Think Positive: Schwartz suggests focusing on positive thoughts and visualizing success. He recommends replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations and avoiding negative people and situations.
5. Build Relationships: The author emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships with others. He suggests treating others with respect, listening actively, and being supportive.
Overall, the book provides practical advice for developing a success mindset and achieving one’s goals. Readers can apply these actionable steps in their personal and professional lives to improve their performance and achieve greater success.

Relevant Example

1. Believing in Yourself:
In the book, Schwartz emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself. He writes about a man who had a stuttering problem and how he overcame it by believing in himself. The man had always thought that his stuttering would hold him back, but he eventually realized that he could still achieve his goals if he believed in himself.
2. Setting Goals:
Schwartz talks about the importance of setting goals and how it can help us achieve success. He gives an example of a man who wanted to become a successful salesman. The man set a goal to sell a certain number of products each day and worked hard to achieve it. Eventually, he became one of the top salespeople in his company.
3. Taking Action:
Schwartz emphasizes the importance of taking action and not just dreaming about success. He gives an example of a man who wanted to start his own business but was afraid to take the first step. The man eventually realized that he needed to take action and started his business. He became very successful and was able to retire early.
4. Overcoming Fear:
Schwartz writes about the importance of overcoming fear and taking risks. He gives an example of a man who was afraid of public speaking but eventually overcame his fear by practicing and taking small steps. The man eventually became a successful public speaker and was able to achieve his goals.
5. Developing a Positive Attitude:
Schwartz talks about the importance of developing a positive attitude and how it can help us achieve success. He gives an example of a man who was always negative and complained about everything. The man eventually realized that his negative attitude was holding him back and started to focus on the positive. He became much happier and more successful as a result.

Reflections

In The Magic of Thinking Big, David J. Schwartz presents a powerful message: our beliefs and attitudes shape our lives. He encourages readers to think big, take action, and develop a positive mindset to achieve their goals. Here are some key insights from the book:
– Believe in yourself: Self-belief is the foundation for success. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will either. Develop a positive self-image and focus on your strengths.
– Think big: Set ambitious goals and don’t limit yourself. Dream big and then take action to make those dreams a reality.
– Take action: Don’t wait for the perfect moment to take action. Start now and make progress every day. Take small steps towards your goals and build momentum.
– Develop a positive mindset: Your thoughts and attitudes shape your reality. Focus on the positive and cultivate an optimistic outlook.
– Build strong relationships: Success is not achieved alone. Build strong relationships with others and surround yourself with supportive people.
– Learn from failure: Failure is not the end, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.
Overall, The Magic of Thinking Big is an inspiring and practical guide to achieving success in all areas of life. By adopting a positive mindset, setting ambitious goals, and taking action, readers can unlock their full potential and achieve their dreams.

Writing Style

If you’re looking for a book that will inspire you to dream big and achieve your goals, then The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz is a must-read. This classic self-help book has been inspiring readers for decades with its powerful message that anyone can achieve success if they have the right mindset.
Schwartz’s writing style is concise and engaging, making it easy for readers to follow along and stay engaged. He uses real-life examples and anecdotes to illustrate his points, which helps readers to relate to the concepts he’s discussing.
One of the key themes of The Magic of Thinking Big is the importance of having a positive attitude and believing in yourself. Schwartz argues that our thoughts and beliefs have a powerful impact on our actions and outcomes, and that by adopting a positive mindset, we can achieve great things.
Throughout the book, Schwartz provides practical tips and strategies for developing a positive mindset and overcoming common obstacles that can hold us back. He also emphasizes the importance of taking action and being proactive in pursuing our goals.
Overall, The Magic of Thinking Big is a powerful and inspiring book that can help anyone to achieve their full potential. With its concise and engaging writing style, it’s a book that’s easy to read and hard to put down.

Recommendation for the book

Overall, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz is an excellent book that can help readers to change their mindset and achieve success in all areas of their lives. The author provides practical and actionable advice that is easy to understand and implement. The book is well-organized, with clear and concise chapters that cover a wide range of topics, from goal-setting to self-confidence to leadership.
One of the strengths of this book is that it is written in a positive and encouraging tone that motivates readers to take action. The author emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and taking risks, and provides numerous examples of successful people who have applied the principles he outlines.
Another strength of this book is that it is timeless. Although it was first published in 1959, the advice it contains is still relevant today. The author’s insights into human behavior and the psychology of success are as valid now as they were over 60 years ago.
Overall, I highly recommend The Magic of Thinking Big to anyone who wants to improve their mindset and achieve success in all areas of their lives. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a student, or simply someone who wants to live a more fulfilling life, this book has something to offer. By following the principles outlined in this book, readers can transform their thinking and achieve their goals.

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