The Magic of Thinking Big...
Here are my top 3 lessons from The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz's...
Happy New Week,
I just finished reading The Magic of Thinking Big, a classic by David J. Schwartz. It might seem like another one of those cheesy self-help books but it’s not. This book is a great reminder that confidence isn’t something we’re born with, but rather a trait that is developed with intentional habits. There are many valuable lessons you can practice that will bring change to your life. I have written about the three that stood out to me the most.
1. Think Big - we’re always told to think big, and dream big but a very common human weakness is self-deprecation. We tend to sell ourselves short and downplay our greatness. So many people talk themselves out of greatness, whether this is not applying for a job because you think you’re underqualified, talking yourself out of opportunities, or not asking a girl out because you think she’s out of your league.
How big we think determines the size of our accomplishments. My favourite quote is
“There’s not a big difference among people, there’s only a difference in the things they accomplish.”
Think as big as you really are, and never sell yourself short.
2. As you think so shall you be - thoughts become things.
When you believe something is impossible, your mind goes to work for you to prove why it is impossible. But when you believe, really believe, something can be done, your mind goes to work for you and helps you find the ways to do it. I mentioned in a previous newsletter the power of the brain and the RAS system.
Belief is the precursor to action – once you believe that you can do it, the mind moves on to finding the ‘how’. Once you believe that you can, then you start looking for tangible ways to get it done. If you don’t believe in yourself, your mind will be trapped in endless second-guessing, never being free to explore its potential. Where there's a will there's a way. You have everything you need within you to become the person you aspire to be.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right,” Henry Ford
3. Be aware of what you’re feeding your mind
In the book, Schwartz talks about “Going first class.” Think first-class about everyone around you, and you’ll receive first-class results in return. The body is what the body is fed. In the same vein, the mind is what the mind is fed. Mind food is your environment - all the countless things that influence your conscious and subconscious thought. The kind of mind food we consume determines our habits, attitudes, and personality.
The size of your thinking, your goals, your attitudes, and your personality is formed by your environment. It is very important to be environment conscious, you need to make your environment work for you, not against you. Stay away from negative and small-minded people because you will eventually become one. Find friends that breathe encouragement into your plans and ideas. In order to create the right environment, you need to get plenty of “psychological sunshine.” This might mean you will need to make new friends, join new organisations, and enlarge your social orbit. A variety of people will broaden your mind and perspective.
Most people think small. This means there is actually less competition than you think. You are what you think you are, if you believe you can’t achieve greatness then, unfortunately, you won’t, if you believe you can achieve greatness then you will. Belief gives you an ‘I Can’ attitude that generates the power, skill, and energy to do great things. Disbelief, on the other hand, is a negative power that leads to doubt and failure.
Have a great week!
Subomi