The Magic of Thinking Big

Your success isn't limited by your talent, it's limited by your thinking!

“The Magic of Thinking Big” is a practical, inspiring guide focused on the idea that success is primarily determined by the size of one’s belief and the quality of one’s thinking, not by intellect, talent, or luck. David Schwartz argues that when you think small, you achieve small results, but when you adopt the habit of thinking big, you unlock your potential for major success in every area of life.

The book is structured as a series of actionable principles, backed by real-world examples, and rooted in the philosophy that attitude is everything.

1. Believe You Can Succeed and You Will

This is the foundation of the book. Schwartz states that belief is the “thermostat” that regulates your achievement level.

• Cure yourself of “Excusitis”: Stop making excuses about health, intelligence, age, or luck.
• Action follows belief: If you truly believe you can do something, your mind will automatically find ways to make it happen.
• Visualize your success; act and think like the person you want to become.

2. Tame the “Small Thinker”

Successful people aren’t necessarily smarter, they’re just better at using their minds to set higher goals and devise creative plans.

• Stop selling yourself short. Look at what is, not what has been.
• Avoid the negativity and gossip that drags down small thinkers.
• Add value to things and people; see things not just as they are, but as they can be.

3. Build Confidence and Destroy Fear

Fear is the single greatest obstacle to big thinking. The antidote is action.

• Isolate your fear: Pinpoint the exact thing you are afraid of and take constructive action to remedy it.
• Practice putting first things first to build confidence by tackling the most important tasks immediately.
• Practice depositing good thoughts into your memory bank and withdrawing them when you need a confidence boost.

4. Think and Act Like a Leader

Leadership is a quality that can be developed by adopting certain habits:

• Be a human being: Treat people right, encourage them, and make them feel important.
• Outgrow your environment: Surround yourself with successful, optimistic people who inspire big thinking.
• Get momentum: Initiate action and follow through. Don’t wait for perfect conditions.

5. Adopt the Growth Mindset

Schwartz dedicates significant portions to practical steps for personal growth:

• Think progress, expect future success: Focus on improving your skills and anticipating positive outcomes.
• Invest in yourself: Dedicate time to improving your appearance, knowledge, and presentation.
• Use goals to help you grow: Set clear, exciting goals and measure your progress to stay motivated.

What is the single biggest “excuse” (or ‘Excusitis’ symptom) that you catch yourself using, and what small action can you take this week to actively prove it wrong?