The Magic of Thinking BIG

The Magic of Thinking BIG: Unlocking Success Through Mindset and Action

David J. Schwartz’s The Magic of Thinking Big is a timeless classic on personal development, filled with practical advice on achieving success by changing the way we think and act. Written  in the 1950’s, the takeaways are still impactful and hold true today.  My process for 3 Key Reads is to take notes that stand out from the book and then pair them down to 3 important ones.  The problem with this book is there are just too many, so I’m deviating from the theme of this page to do two 3 Key Reads.  This is one that I’ll be revisiting every year and HIGHLY recommend you read this too.

The book emphasizes that our level of success is directly tied to our mindset, and it provides actionable strategies to overcome fear and develop the habit of thinking big. Three key themes stand out: how success is determined by your thinking, how action cures fear, and the three groups of people based on their resilience.

Success Is Determined by Your Thinking

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.  Most of us grew up reading the Little Engine that Could or had it read to us.  Funny how a childhood story has an important lesson that we’d all do well to remember.  This is one of the core messages in The Magic of Thinking Big is that the way we think determines our level of success. Schwartz argues that successful people are not necessarily the smartest or the most talented—they simply think bigger. They believe in themselves and their ability to achieve greatness, which drives them to take action and seize opportunities.

The book emphasizes the power of belief. When you truly believe you can accomplish something, your mind starts working toward solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles. This is why people who think big often outperform those with equal or greater talent but a limited mindset. We’ve all seen examples of this in our every day lives.  The football player who overcame talent or size to achieve great things(RUDY, RUDY, RUDY!).  Or the person who overcame humble beginnings to achieve great things.  The 1980 US Hockey Team that took down Goliath with the “Miracle on Ice.”  Maybe just the person who goes to the intimidating environment of the gym among sculpted Adonis’s to overcome years of not taking action towards losing weight.

Schwartz advises readers to replace excuses with a success-oriented mindset. Instead of saying, "I don’t have the experience," shift to "I can learn what I need." Instead of "I’m not lucky," adopt "I create my own opportunities." Thinking big isn’t about unrealistic optimism—it’s about conditioning your mind to see possibilities where others see limitations.

Action Cures Fear

Fear is one of the biggest barriers to success, but Schwartz provides a simple yet powerful antidote: action. He argues that fear grows when we hesitate, but the moment we take action, fear starts to fade.

Many people get stuck in overthinking, waiting for the "perfect" time to act. Better known as Analysis Paralysis.  But waiting only increases anxiety. Schwartz encourages a proactive approach: if you fear public speaking, volunteer to speak more. If you fear rejection in sales, make more calls. Taking action breaks the cycle of fear and builds confidence through experience.

Overcoming inertia is a tough thing.  A rocket burns as much fuel in the first few minutes of flight as it does the remainder.  But once it overcomes that inertia and starts building momentum, it gets easier.  By immediately taking action, then following up with more action, you’ll be unstoppable momentum that will change your trajectory.

The Three Groups of People: Surrender and Resilience

Schwartz categorizes people into three groups based on their approach to challenges:

1. Those Who Surrender Completely – These individuals give up at the first sign of difficulty. They believe success is out of their reach and accept mediocrity. Often, they let past failures define them and stop trying.

2. Those Who Partially Surrender – This group starts strong but loses momentum when faced with obstacles. They might try once or twice, but if things don’t go smoothly, they retreat. Many people fall into this category—they want success but aren’t willing to persist through discomfort.

3. Those Who Never Surrender – The most successful people belong to this group. They face setbacks but refuse to give up. They persist, adapt, and keep moving forward. Instead of seeing failure as a stop sign, they see it as feedback and adjust their strategies.

   
   

My Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu(BJJ) coach who’s a high level, competitive black belt told me a great piece of advice.  The best way to get your black belt is to never quit.  While this sounds simple, there’s great wisdom in this.  So many people quit BJJ before they even get to their blue belt.  Obviously, you have to show up and get to practice but if you stick with it, eventually you’ll reach your end goal.

Final Thoughts

The Magic of Thinking Big is a powerful reminder that success is less about talent and more about mindset and action. If you want to achieve more in life, start by thinking bigger, acting despite fear, and developing unshakable resilience. The way you think determines what you achieve—so think big, take action, and never surrender!