The Magic of Thinking Big

About the Author

David J. Schwartz, PhD, was an esteemed professor, motivational speaker, and self-help author best known for his seminal work, The Magic of Thinking Big. Born in 1927, Schwartz dedicated his career to exploring and teaching the principles of success, self-confidence, and personal growth. He earned his PhD from Ohio State University and went on to teach at Georgia State University. Schwartz's engaging and practical approach to self-improvement made him a beloved figure in the realm of motivational literature, inspiring millions to dream bigger and achieve more.

Main Idea

The Magic of Thinking Big centers around the transformative power of positive thinking and self-belief. Schwartz posits that the size of one's success is directly proportional to the size of one's thinking. By cultivating a mindset of confidence and ambition, individuals can overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and live more fulfilling lives. The book provides practical strategies to develop a winning mindset, emphasizing the importance of action, attitude, and belief in one's potential.

Table of Contents

1. Believe You Can Succeed and You Will
2. Cure Yourself of Excusitis, the Failure Disease
3. Build Confidence and Destroy Fear
4. How to Think Big
5. How to Think and Dream Creatively
6. You Are What You Think You Are
7. Manage Your Environment: Go First Class
8. Make Your Attitudes Your Allies
9. Think Right Toward People
10. Get the Action Habit
11. How to Turn Defeat into Victory
12. Use Goals to Help You Grow

Believe You Can Succeed and You Will

The foundation of Schwartz's philosophy is the belief that success begins with a positive mindset. He illustrates this with the story of a top-performing salesman whose exceptional results were attributed to his belief in his own success. Schwartz asserts that "the size of one’s success is dependent on the size of one’s thinking." This core idea underscores the entire book: believe in yourself, and you will pave the way for success.

"Case history after case history proved that the size of bank accounts, the size of happiness accounts, and the size of one’s general satisfaction account is dependent on the size of one’s thinking." – David J. Schwartz

To foster this belief, Schwartz encourages readers to focus on their successes, visualize their goals, and affirm their abilities. By doing so, individuals can create a mental environment that supports their ambitions and drives them toward their objectives.

Cure Yourself of Excusitis, the Failure Disease

Schwartz identifies "excusitis" as a major barrier to success. This condition manifests in various forms, such as health, intelligence, age, and luck excuses. Schwartz argues that these excuses are self-imposed limitations that prevent people from reaching their full potential. He insists that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can achieve great things if they stop making excuses and start taking action.

"All people he calls failures and the majority of people he calls average suffer from some form of excusitis." – David J. Schwartz

To overcome excusitis, Schwartz recommends acknowledging and addressing these excuses head-on. For example, if someone feels they are too old or too young to succeed, they should seek out examples of individuals who have achieved remarkable success at various ages. By shifting their focus from limitations to possibilities, people can break free from the constraints of excusitis.