Review: The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz

This is stereotypical self-help book. It basically boils down to a bunch of platitudes:

“Believe in yourself!”
“Don’t be afraid, just act!”
“Think positively!”

It’s not that what the book says is wrong, but most of it is not helpful. Simply telling people to think positively doesn’t help them think positively. Simply saying that the way to not be afraid is to do the thing you’re afraid of does not help people overcome fear. And repeating these statements over and over again (the book is very repetitive) doesn’t make them more effective. Perhaps when this book came out (1959), expressing these ideas was novel, but today, most of the advice feels like common sense or cliches.

Also, the book feels dated. It’s mostly focused on young men (women generally only show up in the book as wives and secretaries) going into sales jobs at huge companies and hoping to climb the corporate ladder. There are many mentions of buying a big house (“estate”), wearing suits, going to church, and all the other stereotypes of the “American Dream” from the 60’s.

All that said, there are a few gems in the book that are valuable regardless of your profession, gender, or goals:

“When you believe something is impossible, your mind goes to work for you to prove why. 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.”

“And, please, as you visualize your future, don’t be afraid to be blue sky. People these days are measured by the size of their dreams. No one accomplishes more than he sets out to accomplish. So visualize a big future.”

“You can’t wish away a mountain. You can’t wish yourself into an executive suit or a position of leadership. But you can move a mountain with belief…Belief works this way. It generates the power, skill, and energy needed to do. When you believe I-can-do-it, the how-to-do-it develops.”

“A personnel selection executive told me that he receives 50 to 250 times as many applicants for jobs that pay $10,000 per year as for jobs that pay $50,000 a year. This is to say that there is at least 50 times as much competition for jobs on Second Class Street as for jobs on First Class Avenue. First Class Avenue, U.S.A., is a short, uncrowded street. There are countless vacancies waiting there for people like you who dare to think big.”

“Nothing—absolutely nothing—in this life gives you more satisfaction than knowing you’re on the road to success and achievement. And nothing stands as a bigger challenge than making the most of yourself.”

Rating: 3 stars