The blurb on the back of The Magic of Thinking Big and the opening chapter made me so excited about this book I was running more, fantasising about amazing career success, plotting grandiose home renovations galore and I was totally stimulated into a yes, yes, boy can I think big mindset! Alas, after the tantalising start once diving in I was pretty disappointed. I won’t say I wasn’t entertained because I was. Sometimes I laughed out loud and some of the principles did ring true but mostly this book was a tired, tediously paced, jaw droppingly sexist trip into the corporate world of the 50s. Schwartz repeatedly insinuates women are only secretaries or wives waiting at home for husbands to be kind to them, sales forces are naturally all men (bar the secretary of course in the heels and pencil skirt – BB edit, not in the actual book ;-)). I really chuckled at Joan’s plight – she needed a new stove, who doesn’t, and poor stressed, over worked hubbie wouldn’t buy it, so inevitable marital rows ensued and oh times were challenging… You get this gist. It’s abominably outdated. That said, I agree with many of the guiding principles around goals and plans directing you purposefully towards a better tomorrow. Equally, there was one point I did like especially which has stuck with me around ‘big minds monopolise the listening, small minds monopolise the talking’ – very true and very evident in egotistical leaders we sadly come across all too often.
The Official ‘The Magic of Thinking Big’ by David Schwartz Book Blurb
More than 6 million readers around the world have improved their lives by reading The Magic of Thinking Big.
First published in 1959, David J Schwartz’s classic teachings are as powerful today as they were then. Practical, empowering and hugely engaging, this book will not only inspire you, it will give you the tools to change your life for the better – starting from now. His step-by-step approach will show you how to:
– Defeat disbelief and the negative power it creates
– Make your mind produce positive thoughts
– Plan a concrete success-building programme
– Do more and do it better by turning on your creative power
– Capitalise on the power of NOW
Updated for the 21st century, this is your go-to guide to a better life, starting with the way you think.
