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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Despite the size of this book (nearly 400 pages) I still feel it somewhat lacked depth when describing each point. The beginning section almost seemed faked as the examples seemed too unrealistic to be true. Having said this once I made progress there was some interesting points made, most notably the problem with procrastinating while trying to start something. Many people (myself included) try too hard to create the right setting and frame of mind for delving into work whereas actually the best method is to just start and by starting we will get ourselves into this ‘flow state’ that we desire. This book may be the OG of self development books but it can be a bit of a bland read at times due to its simplistic rules and advice.
There are some interesting pieces of advice in this century old classic. However, it gives a self defeating message. The vast majority of the advice is about how to be a good employee working for someone, which is the exact opposite of becoming big.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Is it a cliché to start a new year with a motivational book? Maybe. But it sure works.
“The Magic of Thinking Big” is exactly the way it sounds. The author encourages us to think greater than the average person. He wants us to believe in ourselves, cure ourselves of “excusitis” (the disease of finding excuses), and banish paralysing fear.
What I particularly loved was the author’s exercise. Think about the most successful person you know. Now think about the least successful person you know. Analyse them. Compare their attitudes.
What I found from this comparison just proved the author’s point.
The least successful person I know is stuck in excuses, self-pity, negative thinking, hopelessness, insecurity, and blame. He could achieve many things, as his intellect is fine, but he expects nothing good, so that is what he gets.
The most successful one is very different. He works on his mind. He values himself. Fear doesn’t paralyse him, neither does self-doubt nor mistakes. He is the master of his mind; not a puppet of his emotions or past failures.
Overall, a great book. It made me start doing things right away. I only wish it wasn’t so sales and career focused.
“If luck determined who does what and who goes where, every business in the nation would fall apart.”
“The Magic of Thinking Big” is exactly the way it sounds. The author encourages us to think greater than the average person. He wants us to believe in ourselves, cure ourselves of “excusitis” (the disease of finding excuses), and banish paralysing fear.
What I particularly loved was the author’s exercise. Think about the most successful person you know. Now think about the least successful person you know. Analyse them. Compare their attitudes.
What I found from this comparison just proved the author’s point.
The least successful person I know is stuck in excuses, self-pity, negative thinking, hopelessness, insecurity, and blame. He could achieve many things, as his intellect is fine, but he expects nothing good, so that is what he gets.
The most successful one is very different. He works on his mind. He values himself. Fear doesn’t paralyse him, neither does self-doubt nor mistakes. He is the master of his mind; not a puppet of his emotions or past failures.
Overall, a great book. It made me start doing things right away. I only wish it wasn’t so sales and career focused.
“If luck determined who does what and who goes where, every business in the nation would fall apart.”
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
The power of positive thinking and believing in yourself is a key principle articulated in this book. Some of the examples are a bit dated but lots of good timeless advice from this book first published in 1959.
Some of my key takeaways:
- Vaccinate yourself from excusitis.
- To think confidently, act confidently.
- Be positive. When you believe, your mind finds ways to do. Where there is a will, there is a way.
- Conquer self-deprecation.
- Respect your appearance. Look your best and you will think and act your best.
- Think enthusiastly.
- You are judged by the company you keep.
- Put enthusiasm behind what you say.
- Everyone wants to feel important. Compliment people at every possible opportunity.
- Always give people more than they expect.
- Be a doer, not a don'ter.
- Salvage something from every setback.
- Combine persistence with experimentation. If the current approach isnt working, try a different way. Believe there is a way.
- Desire when harnessed is power. Failure to follow desire, to do what you want to do most, paves the way to medoocrity.
- Energy increases/multiplies when you set a desired goal and resolve to work toward that goal.
- Set goals to get things done. You accomplish only what you plan to accomplish.
- Winning any objective requires a step by step method. Build a 30 day plan.
- Trade minds with the people you want to influence. See things through their eyes.
- Think improvement and high standards in everything you do.
Some of my key takeaways:
- Vaccinate yourself from excusitis.
- To think confidently, act confidently.
- Be positive. When you believe, your mind finds ways to do. Where there is a will, there is a way.
- Conquer self-deprecation.
- Respect your appearance. Look your best and you will think and act your best.
- Think enthusiastly.
- You are judged by the company you keep.
- Put enthusiasm behind what you say.
- Everyone wants to feel important. Compliment people at every possible opportunity.
- Always give people more than they expect.
- Be a doer, not a don'ter.
- Salvage something from every setback.
- Combine persistence with experimentation. If the current approach isnt working, try a different way. Believe there is a way.
- Desire when harnessed is power. Failure to follow desire, to do what you want to do most, paves the way to medoocrity.
- Energy increases/multiplies when you set a desired goal and resolve to work toward that goal.
- Set goals to get things done. You accomplish only what you plan to accomplish.
- Winning any objective requires a step by step method. Build a 30 day plan.
- Trade minds with the people you want to influence. See things through their eyes.
- Think improvement and high standards in everything you do.