The Magic Of Thinking Big: How To Think Big
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
In this post I will be Reviewing Chapter 4 of The Magic Of Thinking Big: How to Think Big!
In this chapter of the book, the author, David J Schwartz shares the importance of thinking big and he share with us how to Think Big. The chapter starts out with a story about a recruitment specialist that visits college campuses each year to recruit graduating seniors for the company’s junior executive training program. The recruiter is a little surprised by the motivations of the students and their narrow view. The author goes on to say “How big we think determines the size of our accomplishments. Probably the greatest human weakness is self-depreciation – that is, selling oneself short. ”
Have you ever found yourself thinking “I’m not good enough for that job, so why bother?” Have you wanted to do something (sports, ask someone out, etc) but didn’t because you figured you didn’t have a chance? How about, failed to start your own business or work from home opportunity because you didn’t think it would work. Why not choose to Think Big instead?
This chapter of the book provides an exercise to help you determine your “true size” and begin to Think Big:
1. Determine your five chief assets. (Education, Experience, Appearance, etc.)
2. Under each asset, write down the names of 3 people you know that are successful but don’t have this asset to the same degree you do.
After you’ve finished this exercise, you’ll likely see that you outrank many people on your list and you’ll come to the conclusion that you are better and bigger than you think.
As you continue reading on in Chapter 4 of The Magic of Thinking Big
Four Ways to Develop The Big Thinker’s Vocabulary:
1. Use big, positive cheerful words and phrases to describe how you feel.
2. Use bright cheerful, favorable words and phrases to describe other people.
3. Use positive language to encourage others. Compliment people personally at every opportunity.
4. Use positive words to outline plans to others.
Be sure to read the book to see all the details mentioned in this section about how to Think Big. On page 89 Schwartz gives us another list on how to develop your power to Think Big by developing your power to see what can be, not just what is. He calls these “the practice adding value exercises.
1 Practice adding value to things. Ask yourself, what can I do to add value to this.
2. Practice adding value to people. As you move up in the world of success, more and more of your job becomes “people development”. Ask yourself often what you can do to help people become more effective.
3. Practice adding value to yourself. Ask yourself daily what you can do to make yourself more valuable today.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: You will have to practice being a big thinker. How to think big likely doesn’t come naturally for any of us. Figure this out and truly start to Think Big and you will be one of very few people that qualifies as a big thinker. The few that choose to think big and practice it are the ones eventually rewarded with the most responsible, best-paying jobs in companies.
Chapter 4 of The Magic of Thinking Big ends with the following:
Remember, it pays in every way to Think Big!
1. Don’t sell yourself short. Concentrate on your assets. You are better than you think you are.
2. Use the big thinker’s vocabulary. Use big, bright, cheerful words. Ones that promise victory, hope, happiness, etc.
3. Stretch your vision. See what can be, not just what is.
4. Get the big view of your job. Think, really think your present job is important.
5. Think above trivial things. Focus your attention on big objectives. Before getting involved in something, ask yourself, “Is it really important?”
I hope you have enjoyed my brief review of this Chapter and have taken away something that will help you Think Big. I encourage you to read The Magic of Thinking Big
To Your Success,
p.s Visit my blog to see related chapters from The Magic of Thinking Big and “like” and share with your friends.