The Magic of Thinking Big — Review & Lessons [TMP #59]
As one thinketh in his heart, so is he— but how do I think right?
I could write an entire book summary, but in order that I do not lie to myself about what I learnt, this, my dears, is my review of The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz.
Through the steps and illustrations, this book pragmatically teaches you how not to sabotage yourself as you aim high.
Short take
Everything the book set out to do, it did. Now, I randomly say to myself, “I am exactly who I think I am.” (💀). I would recommend this book with a better book included, and I would not recommend it to everyone. Simply put, I am not a fan, and for two reasons:
One, some examples were too simplistic. “She did x and so, racked y hundreds of thousands of dollars.” That might be true, but in my opinion, that’s glossing over too many nuances.
Two, it felt like reading a manual at some points. For the most part, the content was just fine, only that the tone of language felt off in some paragraphs. But one can overlook that. Finally, towards the end, it felt like a chore to read.
That’s my take, however. It might not be the same for you. And since we mine the good stuff wherever we find it, we move on.
The Good Stuff
Honestly, the entire message of this book can be summarised into this quote: “As a man thinketh, so is he.” but that wouldn’t do complete justice only because the book goes further to teach how you can think right so you then be.
To that end, I summarised all thirteen chapters as succinctly as possible (because if I can’t explain at the very basics, did I really learn anything?)
Sit tight, kings. Here goes:
Chapter 1 - Can you?
“Those who believe they can move mountains do. Those who believe they can’t cannot.”
“Belief in great results is the driving force, the power behind all great books, plays, scientific discoveries.”
If you think you cannot, then you absolutely cannot. No amount of external persuasion will convince you otherwise (in the long run) because “when the mind disbelieves or doubts, the mind attracts reasons to support the disbelief”.
On the other hand, if you think you can, then you will because, somehow, the mind will look for ways that you can indeed do it. “The how-to always comes to the person who believes (s)he can do it.”
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Chapter 2 - On excuses
Just three things:
It doesn’t matter how much intelligence you have; what matters is how you use what you do have. “The thinking that guides your intelligence is more important than how much intelligence you have.”
The ability to think is more valuable than the ability to memorise facts. (School has nothing on you, bro 🫂)
On being young. No one would hand you a job if they thought you were incapable. If you know your bread, you’re alright because age has no real relation to ability unless you convince yourself otherwise.
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Chapter 3 - Luck/hope, fear and confidence
On luck, hope and fear. Hope is not a strategy. “Hope needs action to win victories.” If fear sets in, do something, anything to chip away at the dauntingness of the task because hesitation only enlarges fear.
On fear again. In every experience, concentrate on the good parts and bury the bad. That way, we don’t build mental monsters.
“You take a big step forward toward conquering fear when you refuse to remember negative, self-deprecating thoughts.”
Finally, on building confidence. The other person has only one head, and so do you. The goal is to get a balanced view of the other person so you’re less intimidated.
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Chapter 4 - How to think big: Pictures
“We do not think in words and phrases but in pictures and images … when we speak or write, we are, in a sense, projecting movies in our minds, and the pictures we create determine how we react. …so, we see what can be, not just what is.”
Chapter 5 - On thinking and dreaming creatively
“Believing [that] something can be done sets the mind in motion to find a way to do it.”
First things first, if we allow tradition to freeze our minds, new ideas or solutions will never sprout. All things can be better for where there is a will, there is a way.
In addition, we have to think for an idea to drop. Ideas will simply not drop from heaven because “ideas are [the] fruits of your thinking.”
On having ideas. A mind that feeds only on itself will become undernourished: read the books, listen to the x and y, reach far and wide, and your mind will thank you for it.
“Ask and listen, and you’ll obtain raw material for reaching sound decisions.”
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Chapter 6 - You are (exactly) who you think you are
“Others see in us what we see in ourselves. …if a man feels inferior, he acts that way, and no cover-up or bluff will hide that feeling for long”.
Helpline? Motivate yourself sometimes. Give yourself a pep talk. You need it; I need it; we all need it. And the best part is that there’s no right prescription.
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Chapter 7 - Manage your environment
“You will change over the months and years. This we know. But how you will change depends on your future environment, the mind food you feed yourself…. Be sure you’re in the flock that thinks right.”
In other words, help your ministry because the mind is what the mind is fed. Block, mute, follow, befriend or avoid as need be. That, and you are definitely judged by the company you keep.
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Chapter 8 - Make your attitude your ally
“Results come in proportion to the enthusiasm invested.”
I would not remember that quote, but what I would remember is that when I’m uninterested, I only need to dig deeper. I’ve personally seen this happen in appreciating art and in my final-year project. There’s something fascinating about everything; I just need to find it.
Chapter 9 - Think right toward people
Cherish people, and for sanity’s sake, do not try to buy friendships.
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Chapter 10 - Do something
Excellent ideas are not enough for what good is knowledge or an idea if it cannot be put to (good) use?
“We must be willing to make an intelligent compromise with perfection lest we wait forever before taking action.”
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Chapter 11 - On Failures
“My dear, have the courage to face your faults.”
This chapter can be summarised by a quote I read somewhere else that says,
“[If I fail,] it’s really not the end of the world. I don’t give up and call it hopeless. All I have to do is figure out where I slipped, re-double my efforts and go after it again.”
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Chapter 12 - In defence of goals
Why should you bother with goals? Because “a goal is a clear ‘this is what I’m working toward.’”
“[…] all of us have woken up on Saturday morning with no plans, no agenda either mental or written that spells out what we’re going to do. On days like that we accomplish next to nothing.”
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Chapter 13 - On thinking like a leader
Two things, kings:
Think progress, believe in progress and push for progress. And how does one think progress? Think improvements and think quality standards, always.
And then, trade minds with those you want to influence. In other words, step into their shoes.
“The simplest way to get high-level performance is to be sure the master copy is worth duplicating.”
And that’s all, folks :)
Rating
On the scale of “worth reading” or “not worth reading”, The Magic of Thinking Big would be in the middle. But that’s not particularly helpful, so out of 5 stars, I’d give it 3 stars. Same difference 💀.
But, again, that’s my take. It could be different for you.
Stay learning,
Dayo :)