The Magic of Thinking Big
A practical playbook to outgrow excuses, act with courage, and build a first‑class life
About This Book
This is a field guide for upgrading how you think, act, and lead. You’ll learn why belief kickstarts ability, how to vaccinate yourself against excuses, and how small, confident actions melt fear. With relatable stories and step‑by‑step tools, you’ll shift from “Can I?” to “How will I?”, design an environment that fuels big goals, and build inner courage through motion. You’ll practice a vocabulary that expands options, a memory system that strengthens confidence, and an approach to people that wins support. Expect a practical journey—less theory, more doing—so your thinking gets bigger and your results follow suit.About the Author
David J. Schwartz, PhD, was a renowned professor of leadership and entrepreneurship who turned big ideas into everyday tools. He drew on decades of observing managers, salespeople, students, and community leaders to translate motivation and social psychology into clear, practical strategies. Known for his warm coaching style and memorable examples, he helped millions reframe limits, act with courage, and build lives that match their potential. His work continues to inspire readers to think bigger, serve better, and move first.
Biggest Takeaway
• Replace hesitation with simple action habits that reduce fear and increase confidence. • Break free from “excusitis” by neutralizing health, intelligence, age, and luck alibis. • Use a positive memory bank and big‑think vocabulary to expand choices and calm self‑doubt. • Design a first‑class environment that lifts energy, focus, and relationships. • Turn setbacks into useful data and bounce forward faster. • Lead with enthusiasm, service, and genuine respect to gain support. • Set 10‑year goals across work, home, and social life and back them with weekly behaviors. • Grow creative power through belief, experiments, and better listening.
Key Insights from This Book
Explore the most important ideas and learn how to apply them in your life.
Belief is a performance engine that makes the how appear
Excusitis is a mental virus—vaccinate against health, IQ, age, and luck alibis
Action is the antidote to fear and overthinking
Program your memory bank to boost confidence on demand
Use big‑think language and future visualization to expand options now
Creativity grows when belief meets experiment and better listening
Design your environment—mind diet, social circle, and standards—to pull you up
Set 10‑year self‑concordant goals across work, home, and social life, then act weekly
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