Overview
David J. Schwartz’s self-help book, The Magic of Thinking Big, is an evergreen bestseller that has touched the lives of millions of people since 1959 when it was first published. The fundamental message of the book is simple and empowering: success doesn’t depend on intelligence, talent, or good fortune, but on the magnitude of your thinking. Schwartz highlights that people who think big differentiate themselves by developing confidence, a positive attitude, and big goals. This book offers down-to-earth advice, rich anecdotes, and inspiring principles that enable readers to overcome fear, develop self-belief, and attain spectacular success.
Key Concepts and Lessons
- Believe You Can Succeed and You Will
Belief is what leads to success. Schwartz asserts that belief lies at the roots of success. When you absolutely believe you are capable of a thing, your mind begins coming up with ideas on how you can do it. Self-doubt extinguishes ambition and holds you back.
“Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it.”
- Cure Yourself Of Excusitis
One of the most significant obstacles to success is the tendency to make excuses—be it lack of intelligence, poor health, or bad luck. Schwartz refers to this as “excusitis”. The remedy is to take responsibility, stay positive about strengths, and act in spite of flaws.
“The thinking that guides your intelligence is much more important than how much intelligence you have.”
- Build Confidence and Destroy Fear
Fear is instinctive but controlled. Schwartz spells out ways of increasing confidence, including taking action, being positive, and spending time with like-minded people. Confidence increases by experience and support.
“Action cures fear. Indecision, postponement, on the other hand, fertilize fear.”
- Think and Dream Creatively
Innovative thinking unlocks new possibilities. Big thinking means breaking barriers, finding new possibilities, and remaining inquisitive. Schwartz invites you to ask “How can I do better?” and “What’s the best solution?” as means to trigger innovation.
“Capacity is a state of mind. How much we can do depends on how much we think we can do.”
- You Are What You Think You Are
How you think about yourself influences how others think about you. Schwartz emphasizes the need for self-image and suggests dressing well, walking with confidence, and believing in yourself as successful.
“Look important—it helps you think important.”
- Control Your Environment
Your environment influences your attitude. Schwartz suggests minimizing time spent with negative or small-thinking people and instead surrounding yourself with a positive circle of influence that motivates and encourages.
“Go first class in everything you do. You can’t afford to go any other way.”
- Set Goals and Visualize Success
Great thinkers set specific, bold goals and envision their success. Schwartz describes that goal-setting is the beginning of making the invisible visible. He suggests breaking down big goals into steps so as to have steady progress.
A goal is more than a dream; it’s a dream being acted upon.
- Take Action Now
Procrastination is the opposite of success. Schwartz promotes that action leads to confidence and success, but waiting creates fear and inaction. Successful individuals make decisions quickly and take action.
“Ideas alone won’t bring success. Ideas have value only when you act upon them.”
- Think Like a Leader
Leadership is not about rank or title but about vision, responsibility, and influence. Schwartz lists characteristics of successful leaders including compassion, clear communication, integrity, and the power of inspiring action.
“Think big enough to see not just what is, but what can be.”
Final Thoughts
The Magic of Thinking Big is a self-help book with a focus on attitude rather than mechanics. David J. Schwartz presents a simple yet compelling thesis: to prosper in life, business, and relationships, first believe in your ability to become great, then act upon belief. Packed with down-to-earth advice and everyday examples, this book is still a required read for those who want to tap their full potential and think big.
Bottom Line: Think big, believe big, act big—and you will live big.