The Magic of Thinking Big
Not many people that they can move mountains, so as a result, not many do.
At the end of The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferris recommends a book by David J. Schwartz, The Magic of Thinking Big. Based off of the title of the book, assumed the book would be too “salesy” or slimy for me to really enjoy. Fortunately, I was wrong. I gained a lot of inspiration from this book, which basically explains how our thoughts and attitudes have a large role to play in how productive we are, what we accomplish, and to a degree, our level of success.
While the book itself is worth a read, I have distilled some of the most inspirational points of the book into a short presentation that I review from time to time:
Feel free to download the PDF version of this slideshow yourself here: The Magic of Thinking Big Slides (PDF).
Slide Content:
- Not many people believe that they can move mountains, so as a result, not many do.
- Build confidence in yourself. Action reduces fear, so act.
- Take small steps at first: Sit in the front everywhere you go, practice eye contact, walk 25% faster, practice speaking up, smile big, use positive words.
- Think and dream creatively. Believe that it can be done and then the mind finds a way to get it done.
- Be open to new ideas and be progressive. Stimulate yourself with diverse ideas from diverse people. Capacity is a state of mind.
- You are what you think. The price tag you put on yourself is the same price tag that the world will put on you.
- Dress up. Think your work is important. Think enthusiastically. Ask yourself if you are the type of manager that a subordinate would respect and follow.
- Manage your environment because it is food for your mind.
- People who tell you that it cannot be done are usually unsuccessful people.
- Make your attitudes your allies. Live it up. Broadcast good news.
- Do better work than others expect.
- Remember people’s names. Take initiative to build friendships. Talk less. Listen.
- Get the action habit. Nothing happens just by thinking. Start now.
- Do not worry about problems. You can handle them as they come. Successful people handle problems as they arise.
- Turn defeat into victory. Defeat is a state of mind.
- Think that there is a way. If it does not work, then back off and start afresh.
- Use goals to help you grow. The important thing is not where you were or where you are but where you want to get.
- Know where you want to go. Visualize your future.
- Achieving success requires the help of others.
- Trade minds with the people you want to influence. What would I think if I were that person?
- Be human, put people first.
- Think big enough to see that if you put service first, money takes care of itself.
- A wise man will be master of his mind. A fool will be its slave.
Want to read more pieces like this? Sign up by email.
This post originally appeared on http://ryanbattles.com/post/the-magic-of-thinking-big
