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Book Summary of The Magic of

Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
Sam MacDonald · Follow
5 min read · Jun 26, 2023

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The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz is a self-help book that
explores the power of positive thinking and how it can change an individual’s
personal and professional life. The book is centered around the idea that our
thoughts have a significant impact on our actions, and our actions determine
the level of success or failure we experience in life. By adopting a positive
mindset and developing an optimistic outlook, one can overcome obstacles
and achieve their goals. The book provides practical tips and strategies for
developing a mindset of success, including understanding the power of
belief, setting goals, and taking action.

Get The Magic of Thinking Big from Audible with a Free 30–day Trial!

Woman feeling happy in nature

Belief: The Magic of Thinking Big

David Schwartz believes that the most important step towards success is
developing a positive belief in oneself. Belief is what drives motivation,
perseverance, and determination in individuals. In the book, Schwartz
emphasizes the need to develop a mindset of success by acknowledging one’s
positive qualities and capabilities. He points out that believing in oneself sets
in motion a chain of events that creates a positive cycle of self-affirmation
and motivation.

According to Schwartz, the belief in oneself is based on the following core

principles:

Believe You Can Succeed and You Will: Schwartz believes that our thoughts
influence our actions. He explains that a positive mindset creates a virtuous
cycle of proactivity, confidence, and an upward spiral of success. He
encourages individuals to focus on their strengths and past successes instead
of their failures, weaknesses, and limitations.

Get The Magic of Thinking Big from Audible with a Free 30–day Trial!

Positive businessman presenting in a meeting

Believe in the Potential of Others: Schwartz proposes that our beliefs and
attitudes towards others can also affect our success. He states that by
promoting a culture of positivity, respect, and support, we can create an
environment that fosters growth, development, and progress.
Believe in Taking Action: Schwartz stresses the importance of taking action
and not waiting for opportunities to fall into our laps. He explains that action
can create momentum and motivation that lead to success. He suggests
individuals start with a step-by-step plan to achieve their goals, and in doing
so, they will gradually develop the confidence and belief they need to
succeed.

Get The Magic of Thinking Big from Audible with a Free 30–day Trial!

Business group doing a high-five

Set Goals: The Magic of Thinking Big

The Magic of Thinking Big also provides practical advice on how to set
effective goals to achieve one’s desired outcome. According to Schwartz,
setting goals is crucial in developing a positive mindset, as it provides the
direction and purpose needed to achieve success. Moreover, it helps to
overcome the fear of failure, procrastination, and self-doubt.

Get The Magic of Thinking Big from Audible with a Free 30–day Trial!
 SMART goals template

Schwartz advocates for setting SMART goals, which are Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. He explains that by setting specific
goals, individuals can focus their energies on the tasks or activities that will
help them achieve their desired outcomes. He suggests measurable goals so
that individuals can track their progress and adjust their approach to achieve
their desired outcome.

Moreover, Schwartz recommends individuals set attainable goals. He

acknowledges that setting lofty goals can be overwhelming, and individuals
may fail to achieve them leading to demoralization a setback on the journey
to success. Therefore, by setting realistic and feasible goals, individuals can
foster a sense of accomplishment and build momentum towards achieving
their ultimate objective. Besides, goals must be relevant to the overall
objective, while at the same time emphasizing that it must have a time
frame. A clear timeline for the accomplishment of a goal can assist an
individual in remaining accountable, focused, and motivated.

Get The Magic of Thinking Big from Audible with a Free 30–day Trial!

Person writing their goals

Take Action: The Magic of Thinking Big

The third and final principle of The Magic of Thinking Big is Taking Action.
Believing in oneself and setting goals are not enough to achieve success.
Taking action is necessary, and failure to act will lead to missed
opportunities and regret. David Schwartz emphasizes that the key to
achieving one’s goals is taking consistent, persistent, and intelligent action,
with the purpose of achieving an objective.

Get The Magic of Thinking Big from Audible with a Free 30–day Trial!
 Person taking action

Schwartz highlights the importance of making a plan of action with clear

steps that will pave the way towards the achievement of one’s goals. He
advises individuals to adopt a can-do attitude, remain flexible, be willing to
take a calculated risk when necessary, and learn from their mistakes if they
don’t achieve their objectives.

Moreover, he warns against the dangers of procrastination, which can derail

one’s progress towards achieving their goals. He advises individuals to create
a sense of urgency by setting deadlines, breaking goals down into smaller
steps, and committing to taking action daily, even if it’s only for a short
period. This sense of urgency will ensure that objectives are prioritized,
deadlines met, and progress towards success is achieved.

Get The Magic of Thinking Big from Audible with a Free 30–day Trial!
 Woman procrastinating at her desk

In conclusion, The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz provides a

practical guide for individuals seeking to achieve success. Schwartz’s three
core principles of belief, setting goals, and taking action are based on the
premise that our thoughts have a significant impact on our actions, which
determine the level of success or failure we experience in life. Developing a
mindset of success, setting achievable goals, and taking consistent and
persistent action towards achieving them are the key ingredients to success,
as outlined in the book.

Positive Thinking Self Improvement Business

Written by Sam MacDonald Follow

1 Follower

My interests include health, self-improvement, cooking, travel, and business. I write book
reviews on books that I think will be beneficial for you to read.

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