Amazing Book - The Magic of Thinking Big, David J Schwartz

I stumbled upon this book after reading the Four Hour Work Week because the Author, Tim Ferris, stated that it was a foundation for his life at an early age, and with a bold statement like that, I managed to track down a copy. For some reason, I was never big into reading "self help" books and taking my MBA changed that. Many books throughout the MBA are like "chicken soup for the executive soul" teaching you how to negotiate better, how to talk with your eyes, how to influence people, etc. etc. The MBA chicken soup tasted delicious and I have a pile of business books (self help) books loaded onto my iPad.

I simply loved The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David Schwartz. I must have been reading the original 60s version because it was written in a 60s style men's working world and there are a lot of references to advertising men and general motors. I think this classic style added to the "get up and go" mantra that the book preaches. It was written by a Professor and Psychologist, which gives it some credibility and there are the occasional reference to clinical studies. Having said that, the majority of the book is just good anecdotal modern-day fables about how people become successful by having the right attitude. To summarize the book in a couple of passages:

"Believe, really believe, you can move a mountain, and you can. Believe not wish. Belief, strong belief, triggers the mind to figure ways and means and how-to. And believing you can succeed makes others place confidence in you.... Currently, there is some talk of building a tunnel under the English Channel to connect England with the Continent. Whether this tunnel is ever built depends on whether responsible people believe it can be built."

They built that tunnel and I am hooked on the Magic of Thinking Big. The book is the power of positive thinking, multiplied by a thousand. It goes through very simple techniques like morning pep talks, getting rid of negative thoughts and people, setting a clear goal about what you want to do, and then allowing your mind to work its way to the answer. Lots of other great tips in there also.

Here is a picture of the book. It seems to be available online. There is no kindle version unfortunately, but hard copies seem abundant and are well worth toting around for a while!