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Magic Of Thinking Big

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 10,404 ratings · 414 reviews

The Magic of Thinking Big gives you useful methods, not empty promises. Dr. Schwartz presents a carefully designed program for getting the most out of your job, your marriage and family life, and your community. He proves that you don't need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain great success and satisfaction, but you do need to learn and understand the hab...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published April 2nd 1987 by Touchstone (first published June 1st 1960)

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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

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Aug 13, 2008 Monica rated it 5 of 5 stars

An inspiring book that will teach you to think beyond the mundane, every day, status quo. The enemy we call "average" threatens to take away the hopes, dreams, and meaning in our lives. Strive for excellence in everything you do. If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've never done.

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Feb 21, 2008 David rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone with dreams

Recommended to David by: My Father

This book changed the way I look at the world, and will remain a powerful reminder of the great things that can be accomplished with the right attitude.

9 likes · like · see review

Nov 16, 2007 Asep Sambodja rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Temanku yang sedang putus asa di sana...

buku ini aku baca saat aku mengalami kegagalan pada 1986. buku ini pula yang membangkitkan aku dari kegagalan itu. aku sangat berterima kasih dengan penulis buku ini. karena begitu membantu aku bangun dari keterpurukanku. bayangin, ketika aku gagal, kepala sekolahku di sma 1 ungaran langsung melecehkanku. untung aku lari ke buku, bukan ke narkoba. ah, ternyata buku juga sama dengan narkoba. sekarang aku kecanduan buku. bahkan, ketika stress saat mahasiswa dulu, saat tugas menumpuk, aku baca juga...more

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Dec 31, 2008 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't really like self help books, but this was a really good book. Simple, quick read, and actually had intelligent content. I would recommend this book to anyone, but if you like self help books, then this is a must read.

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 05, 2008 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Tracy by: Ryan Godsey

I know several people who feel that this book has changed their lives. I'm not certain I can make that claim for myself, but this was the first time I'd heard of the three failure diseases: Procrastonation, Excuse-itis and detail-itis. I think at some time or another, I was guilty of all three. Now I tend to catch mysef in the midst of them and think "a-ha! Stop that."

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Feb 16, 2009 I N rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who wants to see new horizons!

The Parable of the Talents
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talen...more The Parable of the Talents
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

-Jesus Christ

Greatest author who has ever lived.(less)

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Jan 18, 2009 David P. rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Dad assigned me to read a book sometime in late November. The book he assigned me to read was The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David J. Schwartz, one of the leaders on the art of motivation (according to the back of the book, anyway. According to my Dad, this book would give me great principles on how to be successful in life. In this regard, the book succeeds greatly. Along with that, Dr. Schwartz makes it interesting to read about the success principles.

So, what is The Magic of Thinking Big...more My Dad assigned me to read a book sometime in late November. The book he assigned me to read was The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David J. Schwartz, one of the leaders on the art of motivation (according to the back of the book, anyway. According to my Dad, this book would give me great principles on how to be successful in life. In this regard, the book succeeds greatly. Along with that, Dr. Schwartz makes it interesting to read about the success principles.

So, what is The Magic of Thinking Big about? The book does not really feature a storyline, a plot, or main characters (although Dr. Schwartz does mention people who succeeded on his principles. Instead, it talks about principles on how to be a successful person in life. Some of these life lessons include dreaming creatively, using goals to promote growth, and thinking like a leader; and within The Magic of Thinking Big, Dr. Schwartz uses real life people in relation to these principles. Throughout The Magic of Thinking Big, Dr. Schwartz provides real-life examples of how people succeeded by using the discussed principle. Also, Dr. Scwartz constantly mentions situation where people did not apply the discussed principle, and as a result, the person failed at reaching a goal and becoming successful.

I feel that The Magic of Thinking Big did a great job at teaching me these life lessons. For one thing, Dr. Schwartz uses the examples of people in his book, and these examples help hammer the point home. Also, Dr. Schwartz seems like a qualified person, so that makes his principles trustworthy. But the real reason that The Magic of Thinking Big was so effective at teaching me was this: It was fun to read. You can have a great educational book, but if it's boring, then no one would read it, and its lessons would never be taught. The Magic of Thinking Big, however, is a fun book to read. I found the book hard to put down at times, and because it was actually interesting and fun to read, the The Magic of Thinking Big gets its point across extremely well.

The bottom line is, you should probably read this book sometime in your life. It gives some of the best principles I've read in a long time, and not only that, the book is fun to read. The double whammy of education and entertainment that The Magic of Thinking Big pretty much makes it a must-read book. (less)

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May 13, 2012 Anthony Fox rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Review of The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz

Think success, don’t think failure. The mantra of believe in yourself is the premise of this book. The copy I have read was first published in 1960. This was one of the books I found in my grandfather’s bookcase and one which I kept after he died. This is second time I have read this book with many years between the readings. I know the book has been re-published many times since and is available. The reason I selected this book to write...more A Review of The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz

Think success, don’t think failure. The mantra of believe in yourself is the premise of this book. The copy I have read was first published in 1960. This was one of the books I found in my grandfather’s bookcase and one which I kept after he died. This is second time I have read this book with many years between the readings. I know the book has been re-published many times since and is available. The reason I selected this book to write a review is that maybe a newer generation might find it an interesting book to read, and they might not have heard about it before.

The book is really a tutorial of how to respond positively to events with mini stories describing how other people have handled both negative and positive events in their lives. This gives the reader a clear understanding of how to approach similar situations with good advice. Of course “you can’t move mountains” but believe in yourself and your abilities and you will climb a mountain of doubt. Because, if you do not believe in yourself you are more likely will not succeed.

I have always believed that to succeed in anything you have to have confidence in yourself. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But, it’s true. The more confidence you have within you the more other people will believe in you. Don’t suffer from fear is another mantra the author discusses which is I believe is a common feeling we all have when it comes to our ability to try new things. We fear failure more, partly because of the unknown and what other people might think about us. I have written about this subject because I feel we are all capable of achieving what we want. Sometimes we just need to understand that fear is only temporary when we start to take action. When we confront our fear head-on the more likely we will gain confidence in ourselves to tackle similar situations in the future.

What I would say which I feel the author doesn’t express is that as humans we have the tendency to set our expectations to high and when things don’t pan out the way we expected them to we can get disillusioned and often depressed. I am not saying you should not aim high or set your goals high, but sometimes things are not always in our control. So we have to learn to aim high, but always remember that not everything is going to go our way.

My analogy of this would be the climbing of Mount Everest, sometimes events and conditions are against you, but for those who keep trying they often reach the summit of their goal. What we all must accept is that failure is part of success. Those that keep trying will find success, as long as they are prepared to evaluate their performance after each attempt and improve.

It’s natural and part of our makeup that as individuals we don’t like coming second, but in a race sometimes there is only one winner. We have to learn that success is more subjective and teach ourselves that taking part is a success. This will make us more confident as individuals with the right attitude to be a better person in this world.

This book is worth keeping and re-reading. David J. Schwartz says “Got a good idea? Then do something about it.”
(less)

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Feb 13, 2010 Russell rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Chicago Tribune asked all the local primary candidates what their favorite book was. Of course, the liberal wonks put in stuff by Lincoln or Locke. The right wingers were typically imaginative in their selection of "The Bible." The tea party candidate, Adam Andrejewski, chose this book which intrigued me. Also, his choice for "the book you would take on a desert island" was "How to survive on a desert island." So, I liked the cut of his jib.

I'm a fan of self-improvement books and this one pr...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 29, 2009 Colin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Oh my. Another "classic" this is not.

I picked this book up on the recommendation of Mr. Fourhourworkweek. He claimed it was one of the few books worth reading. Strike two. (Strike one - "Secrets of Power Negotiating".) You're not doing so well Mr. Fourhourworkweek.

Schwartz follows in the vein (or "vain", :::snort:::) of Dale Carnegie of "How to Win Friends and Influence People". If you like the latter, you will like the former. I didn't like either.

Both rest on foolish anecdotes. Schwartz would...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Not my usual kind of book, and yet being always interested in the mind I do pick up books like this when they cross my path. In helping clear out some old stuff from my parents' house I found a 60's copy of this book and started reading it.

What I find interesting about this book is when one compares it to any of the many current books on "magical thinking". The latter tend to explain the power of thinking in terms of "energy" and these theories are too easily dismissed by a critical mind. Schwa...more

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May 27, 2009 Nancy Cours rated it 2 of 5 stars

I came away from this self-help book with a few useful/helpful tidbits, namely in the "stay positive," "love what you do" and "work hard" categories. However, as helpful as the book was in the 1960s for millions of people, I don't think I represent the its ideal audience.

Because, in order to truly glean more than just a few tidbits of advice from this book, I imagine you would have to subscribe to the thinking that "success" and its cousin, "happiness," are defined the way Dr. Schwartz defines...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Wenny Kohongia rated it 5 of 5 stars

My lifetime favorite book is The Magic of Thinking Big.

This book is AMAZING, inspires me every time I feel down, and make me really believe that nothing impossible.
At first, I don't really believe at Dr. Schwartz’s “theory” but after some practices, I know that it’s not just a theory, he is absolutely right.

I’ve got what I want only by dreaming and really believe that i can make it!
Well, work and pray are other issues, at first i just need to believe – really believe – that i can achieve my goal...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Ron rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

SET YOUR GOALS HIGH...THEN EXCEED THEM!

Millions of people throughout the world have improved their lives using The Magic of Thinking Big. Dr. David J. Schwartz, long regarded as one of the foremost experts on motivation, will help you sell better, manage better, earn more money, and — most important of all — find greater happiness and peace of mind.

The Magic of Thinking Big gives you useful methods, not empty promises. Dr. Schwartz presents a carefully designed program for getting the most out o...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 13, 2009 David Hooper rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a kick ass book. I've read a lot of this kind of thing over the years, but this one did a good job of explaining the core concepts of "thinking big" in a new way I hadn't heard. Great examples to relate to as well as steps you can take when you really want to make things happen in your life.

Like a lot of books in this genre, this one seems geared toward people in business. However, what he's talking about will work in all aspects of life-- relationships, happiness, health, fitness, etc.

I...more

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Jan 16, 2011 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this book as a gift from my dad who serendipitously discovered it himself on his bookshelf at home--the bookshelf has been feed by many sources so the true origin of the book is unknown.
That reason in itself was cause for me to read what I would otherwise would have dismissed as yet another self-help book. I found this book to be interestingly simple in it's approach caused by the period in which it was written. It clearly shows it's age but the wisdom remains universal. I enjoyed th...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Nick Lo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The recommendation by author of "The Four Hour Work Week", Tim Ferriss, had me curious to see why it inspired him and how much influence was evident in Tim Ferriss' work. It's written in the 50's for salesmen so was initially a bit of a struggle until I started to imagine the writer narrating over a film starring Jack Lemmon and Walther Matthau, or, one of those informative Disney cartoons[1] with Goofy playing our aspiring salesperson. Picturing that era and context while reading an old second-...more

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Jun 22, 2011 Tifa maharani rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: motivasi

ayoo kita berpikir besar,, karena segala sesuatu berasal dari pikiran kita.. Kenapa harus takut berpikir besar... kita UNLIMITED looo,,,jadi manfaatkan untuk berpikir lebih,,lebih dan lebih...
Pikiran kita milik kita sendiri!! jangan menyamakannya dengan orang lain..:D

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Jan 28, 2009 Rgrega72 added it

Teaches how to think big, to be positive in speaking, dressing for success, going first class all the way, taking quiet time for yourself to let ideas and creativity emerge. To change from thinking small and that success is not possible to thinking big that anything is possible as long as you keep and open mind associate with all types of people to broaden your perspective in all areas apply what is learned in all aspects of life because all aspects of life are connected and on aspect effects an...more

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Aug 02, 2007 Lucky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Buku ini keren, self development yang bagus banget.
Mengajari banyak hal dan gw rasa bagus dibaca untuk anak2 SMA karena disaat2 itu kepribadian gak stabil dan mereka perlu mengetahu arah mana yang ingin dituju dalam hidup

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Apr 12, 2013 Haythem Bastawy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was not enthusiasitic to start this book, I had borrowed it last week with another positive thinking book which was not very good. It started it thinking to myself, 'here is another taky self-help book'. The book was very good and to the point, and unprejudiced to any kind of faith. It directed the reader towards positive thinking using very clear and easy practical steps.My experience with books of this kind is that they build the reader up ignoring very possible scenarios of defeat which wou...more

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Jun 11, 2010 Sheza Khan rated it 5 of 5 stars

The magic of thinking big by Dr.Schwartz is not just an achievement which helped people to improve their lives by reading it for once.According to me,this book is a necessity for our younger generations and this necessity has increased twice with the passage of time and improvement in technology.Dr.Schwartz really proved that thinking big changes the perspective by which we see things.Moreover,it lets our mind to capture all the optimism and helps us to grow.

At-last,I appreciate Dr.Schwartz's ha...more

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Apr 09, 2011 Ethan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-improvement

I'll be honest. When I first started reading the book, it had a kind of Stuart Smalley "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!" feel to it. But honestly as I began to really give consideration to what the book proposes and advocates, I have to say that I really enjoyed it and will be re-reading this book to get a better understanding of the principles it teaches.

My one big frustration is that there is simply SO MUCH information and so many principles and rules to try...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Thomas Hadley rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is certainly one of the most practical books I have ever read on personal development. His premise is that we are to examine the lives of those around us and look at the principles they've applied in their lives to get them to where they are. We are to then decide if those principles are the ones we are to live by. He says to make a study of the most successful person you know and the most unsuccessful person you know. We could learn a lot from that one phrase in itself. However, in the bo...more

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Jul 19, 2010 Yusita rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Yusita by: MW

Membaca buku ini membuatku berpikir untuk memahami tiap kata yang terangkai menjadi kalimat-kalimat dalam tiap babnya. Wow!! berpikir besar mudah ditulisnya tapi butuh perjuangan dari diri sendiri dalam melakukannya.

"Orang bijaksana akan menjadi majikan dari pikirannya."
Tidak banyak manusia yg bisa selalu stabil dalam mengatur emosi hatinya, mengontrol pikiran negatifnya dan menumbuhkan selalu pikiran positifnya serta menjaga iman, ihsan juga islamnya kala dihadapkan pada situasi yg sulit ato si...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Taylor Ellwood rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: business

This book is a must read for business owners. It's a book that shows the value of positive thinking, without all the new age hogwash of the law of attraction. The author shows how a positive attitude can make a difference in your business, work, and life, as well as how to implement positive thinking into your day. Following his suggestions has helped my business and overall sense of well-being and this is a book I will read again and again because the lessons it offers provides new perspectives...more

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Jul 20, 2009 Rich rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorites, self-help

It was either this or Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, which marked my entrance into self-help literature.

Until I read this I discounted all these types of books as being simplistic, and full of tricks. I was excited to discover that with all the books like this that have stood the test of time, they don't deal in tricks, but rather work to teach the reader new ways of thinking. They aim to help the reader change bad thinking habits and replace them with better ways of t...more

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Oct 28, 2011 Manhardeep Ahluwalia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Awesome book.

I was in my 9th grade when I got this book in my hands. I was not a regular reader till I read this book. At first impression, I thought "How will I be finishing such a think book?" But when I opened it and the very first term which author introduced was "what is success?" WOW! that is what people are running here and there to search for. And the author just explained it in the very first page.

I went through the whole book and learnt a lot. What impact it made on my life was that I...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Chhun rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

When life put you down, face it and think big. People these days are measured by what they think, and what they dream. A black man fought with discrimination and later became a leader of US because he thought he could. He might be stupid to attempt to create an electricity light bulk while the world said that was impossible until he finally made it over 10 thousand failure because he thought he could do it. A man who was fired from newspaper editor because he was lack of imagination and good ide...more

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Dec 02, 2007 Jamey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Often the remarks made in your direction are not so personal as you might at first think..."

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Quotes from Magic Of Thinking Big

“The mind is what the mind is fed.” — 18 people liked it

“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.” — 13 people liked it

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