Ever wondered how belief can move mountains? How can one's environment shape their destiny? How does the power of persistence blend with experimentation? Are you ready to navigate through the inspirational stories of Dave Mahoney, Thomas Edison, Lionel Barrymore, and many others who turned their defeats into stepping stones to success? Dive into this captivating journey of understanding the power of belief, the influence of environment, and the spirit of resilience in shaping one's success. 

The Magic of Thinking Big

Success is a term that carries many meanings. It can signify personal prosperity, admiration, leadership, freedom from worries, fears, frustrations and failure. The key to achieving success boils down to a single factor: belief. 

Have you ever considered how much belief can influence your life? The biblical quote that faith can move mountains is not just metaphorical. If you genuinely believe you can move a mountain, you can. However, it is essential to distinguish between belief and wishful thinking. Wishing for something won't make it happen, but believing in it will set the wheels in motion. 

Take the story of a young woman who decided to establish a sales agency to sell mobile homes. Despite having less than $3,000 in savings and no practical experience, she had a steadfast belief in herself and her ability to succeed. And she did. She sold over $1,000,000 worth of trailers in her first year alone. That's the power of belief, it can stimulate the mind to figure out ways to succeed.

Let's consider another example. A state highway department in a mid-western state was looking for an engineering company to design eight bridges. Most small firms decided not to submit proposals because they believed the project was too big for them. But, one small company believed they could handle it. They submitted a proposal and got the job. The belief that they could move mountains made them do just that. 

Belief in success is the driving force behind every successful business, church, and political organization. It's the one basic ingredient of successful people. The moment you harbor doubts, you set yourself up for failure. So, think victory, not defeat. Think you can, not you can't. 

Here are three guides to help you develop and strengthen the power of belief. Firstly, think success, not failure. Substituting success thinking for failure thinking will condition your mind to create plans that produce success. Secondly, regularly remind yourself that you are better than you think you are. Successful people are not superhuman; they're just ordinary folks who have developed belief in themselves. Thirdly, believe big. The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. 

Can Belief Really Move Mountains and Propel You Towards Success?

Success is not a matter of luck or circumstances, it's a matter of your mindset. People often get stuck in a loop of excuses that prevent them from reaching their full potential. These excuses come in various forms: age, intelligence, health, and even luck. 

Take age as an example. How often have you heard or said: "I'm too old for this" or "I'm too young for that"? The reality is, age is just a number. It's your attitude towards age that makes it either a blessing or a barricade. 

Consider this: a 40-year-old still has 60% of their productive life ahead of them. That's a lot of time to make positive changes and pursue your passions. So why not flip the script and start thinking "I'm still young" instead of "I'm already old"?

And what about intelligence? Many people underestimate their own capabilities and overestimate others'. They believe they lack the brains to succeed. But success isn't about how much intelligence you have, it's about how you use it. 

Remember this: the thinking that guides your intelligence is much more important than the amount of intelligence you have. 

Health is another common excuse. People often use it as a shield to avoid taking risks or pursuing their dreams. But let's remind ourselves of the old saying: "I felt sorry for myself because I had ragged shoes until I met a man who had no feet." Instead of complaining about health issues, it's better to be grateful for the health you have. 

Lastly, there's the luck excuse. People often attribute their failures to bad luck and others' successes to good luck. But luck is not a factor in success. Success comes from preparation, planning, and success-producing thinking. 

Busting Excusitis: Mindset, Not Luck, Determines Your Success

Have you ever thought about what differentiates successful people from the rest? One key factor stands out – they think big! They don't let trivial things, self-doubt, or short-term setbacks hinder their progress.

Let's take the example of a recruitment specialist who was disappointed with the lack of ambition in recent college graduates. She observed that many were more interested in security, like retirement plans, rather than the opportunities to make significant contributions to the company. Do we want to entrust our future to such narrow-minded thinking? 

Now, it's time to ask yourself: How big do you think? The size of your thoughts determines the size of your accomplishments.

Often, we underestimate ourselves, focusing on our faults and inadequacies. This is self-deprecation, a common human weakness that we need to overcome. Start by identifying your key assets and how they make you better than many successful people. You are bigger than you think! So, don't sell yourself short.

Our language also plays a significant role in how we think. Do you use words that inspire optimism and success or those that convey defeat and failure? Remember, we think in pictures and images, not words. So, use words that create positive, forward-looking mental images.

Likewise, always aim to add value to everything around you. Look at things not just as they are, but as they can be. A run-down farm can be transformed into a thriving riding stable or a tree farm. Similarly, look at people not just as they are, but as they can be. Don't just see a customer as a single sale, but as a potential source of regular patronage. 


Are You Thinking Big Enough to Unlock Your True Potential?

Creative thinking is not restricted to certain fields or superintelligent people. It's about finding new, improved ways to do anything, from sending a child to university to turning an undesirable lot into a neighborhood beauty spot. Believing in the possibility of an idea is the first step in creative thinking. 

Let's take an experiment - can we eliminate jails in the next 30 years? It might sound ludicrous, but if we believe it's possible, our minds start to work on finding ways to do it - from establishing more youth centers to conducting research to spot potential criminals before they commit a crime. The point is, believing something is impossible shuts down creative thinking, while believing in possibilities paves the way for creative solutions, whether it's in personal life, business or global peace. 

Take the story of a young man who believed it was impossible for him to finish college due to his circumstances. But when he started to believe that it was possible, he found a way to get a scholarship and rearranged his work schedule to attend classes. Today, he's a successful management trainee. 

The key here is to eliminate the word 'impossible' from your vocabulary. Focus on why you can do something, rather than why you can't. Don't let tradition paralyze your mind. Be open to new ideas, experiment, and seek ways to do things better. 

Remember, in all situations, the success combination is to do what you do better and do more of what you do. Surround yourself with people who can help you think of new ideas, new ways of doing things. Ask and listen more, for big people monopolize the listening while small people monopolize the talking. 

Finally, harness and develop your ideas. Write them down, review them, cultivate them, and most importantly, put them to work. Remember, an idea written or in some form of picture or diagram has much more selling power than an idea presented only orally. 

Unleashing the Power of Possibility: Embracing Creative Thinking for Progress

Isn't it amazing how our thinking shapes our behaviors and perceptions? Have you ever wondered why some people command more respect and attention than others? Surprisingly, the answer is simple – it's all about their thinking. The way we think about ourselves determines how we act and how others perceive us. 

Oftentimes, people treat others based on their appearance. Whether it's fair or not, our appearance talks to others and influences their perceptions of us. Dressing right can make us feel important, confident, and successful. Remember the old saying, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have?" It's not just about impressing others; it's about boosting our own self-esteem and confidence too.

Let's talk about our work now. How we perceive our work affects how we perform and how others perceive us. Those who see their work as important are more likely to perform better and gain respect from others. On the contrary, those who view their work as a necessary evil are less likely to excel and win respect.

Have you ever given yourself a pep talk? It's a powerful tool for building self-confidence and positivity. Develop your own "sell-yourself-to-yourself" commercial, highlighting your abilities and assets. Repeat it to yourself several times a day, especially when you need a confidence boost. This will help you to think and act like the successful person you aspire to be.

Remember, your thinking determines your actions, and your actions determine how others perceive you. So think positively about yourself, respect your work, dress for success, give yourself pep talks, and always ask yourself, "Is this the way an important person does it?" By doing these, you're setting yourself on the path to success. After all, you are what you think you are.

Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Thinking and Command More Respect?

Your mind is an extraordinary mechanism. It can propel you to outstanding success or plunge you into failure. It's driven by what you feed it - your environment. This includes everything that influences your conscious and subconscious thoughts. Your environment shapes your habits, attitudes, personality, and ultimately, your success. 

Ever wondered how different you might be if you'd grown up in a different country? It's your environment that would have molded you. We are products of our surroundings. From minor habits to our very personality, our environment plays a pivotal role. 

Influence from negative people can make us think negatively, while companionship with ambitious people can spur our own ambition. It's crucial to carefully choose your environment. It can either make you or break you. 

People often fall into three groups. The first group surrenders completely to suppressive influences and convinces themselves they can't achieve big things. The second group starts with ambition but gradually settles for mediocrity due to fear. The third group never surrenders. They live and breathe success, constantly moving forward, learning, and achieving. 

To be in the third group, you need to guard yourself against negative influences. Keep away from 'negators' who enjoy sabotaging the progress of others. Remember, you're judged by the company you keep. Surround yourself with progressive thinkers and move upward with them.

Your social environment also plays a significant role in your success. Engage with a diverse range of people and learn from different perspectives. Avoid gossip and negativity. Instead, focus on positivity and growth. 

When seeking advice, always go first class. Choose successful people as your advisors. They are often more humble and willing to help. Remember, getting advice from a failure is like consulting a quack to cure cancer. 

Your environment extends beyond your social circles. It also includes the goods and services you choose. Always opt for quality. It might seem more expensive initially, but in the long run, it costs less than settling for second best. 

Ultimately, be conscious of your environment. Make it work for you and not against you.

Mastering Your Environment: The Unseen Force Shaping Your Success

Social workers who deal with homeless people, or those you might find on "skid row," might tell you that no matter these individuals' backgrounds - be it age, education, or marital status - they all share one commonality: defeat. They have all faced situations that have conquered them, leading them to their current circumstances. 

But defeat isn't exclusive to the homeless; it's a universal experience. The average person, or "Mr. Mediocre," has also felt the sting of defeat. He's been beaten down by life's challenges and has succumbed to a life of mediocrity. 

On the flip side of the coin are the successful individuals, the "Mr. Successes." They, too, have faced hardships and setbacks. Yet, they responded differently to their defeats. They chose not to stay down but instead rose, learned from their mistakes, and moved forward.

Here's a prime example of this resilient spirit. A successful management consultant, despite losing ten years’ savings within his first six months in business and living in his office due to financial constraints, never gave up on his idea. He persisted, faced numerous rejections and after seven tough years, his persistence paid off.

Stories of defeat turned into victory are not rare. For instance, renowned actor Lionel Barrymore, after breaking his hip, played successful roles in a wheelchair for eighteen years. W. Colvin Williams, blinded in an explosion, pursued his dream of becoming a minister, seeing his blindness as an asset for his career. 

So, what did we learn from these stories? Success is not about avoiding setbacks; it's about using them as stepping stones to move forward. Consider how the Civil Aviation Administration investigates plane crashes to identify and correct defects. Or how doctors perform postmortems to understand the cause of death and thus, save future lives. Or how successful sales executives analyze lost sales to prevent similar losses in the future. All these professionals salvage something from every setback to improve their performance.

When faced with setbacks, it's crucial not to surrender to negative emotions. Remember, defeat is not the end. It's an opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. All it takes is the right mindset and a willingness to experiment and learn from your setbacks. 

Will You Let Defeat Define You or Propel You to Success?

Every great invention, medical discovery, engineering triumph, or business success starts as a goal - a purpose, a dream being acted upon. 

Dave Mahoney, who rose from a low-paying job in an advertising agency to its vice president and later president of Good Humor Company, once said that the important thing is not where you were or where you are, but where you want to get. To reach your destination, it's crucial to create a clear image of who you want to be ten years from now and work towards it. 

Now, let's talk about how to take action towards your goals. Firstly, get a clear idea of where you want to be. Imagine yourself ten years from now. Secondly, write out your ten-year plan, covering aspects of your work, home, and social life. Thirdly, surrender yourself to your desires. Set goals to harness more energy and get things done. 

Next, let your major goal be your automatic pilot. When your goal absorbs you, you'll make the right decisions to reach it. Achieve your goal one step at a time. Every task you perform, no matter how small, is a step towards your goal. Build thirty-day goals and take detours in your stride. Remember, a detour simply means another route, not surrendering the goal. 

Lastly, invest in yourself. Purchase things that build mental power and efficiency. Invest in education and idea-starters. Your future is worth this investment. 

Charting Your Path to Success: The Power of Goal Setting and Self-Investment

Becoming a successful leader isn't about reaching the top on your own, it's about being lifted there by those around you. Leadership is about garnering the support and cooperation of others, and this requires a specific skill set. 

Let's consider four key principles of leadership. 

1. Trade minds with those you want to influence. This is about understanding others' perspectives and experiences. For instance, if you're an advertising executive creating a commercial, consider your target audience rather than just your personal preferences. 

2. Think: What is the human way to handle this? Instead of acting like a dictator, choose the 'Be-human' approach. Leaders treat their subordinates with respect and dignity. Take John, an executive who went out of his way to help his employees. His actions fostered loyalty and support amongst his team. 

3. Think progress, believe in progress, push for progress. Real leaders are not status-quo-ers, they believe in progress and improvement. They set high standards for themselves and their teams. 

4. Take time out to confer with yourself and tap your supreme thinking power. Great leaders often spend time alone, allowing their thoughts to guide their actions. During these solitary moments, they piece together problems, work out solutions, and plan their next steps. 

Are You Ready to Harness the Power of Human-Centered Leadership?

Understanding and harnessing the power of belief is a fundamental step towards achieving success. Personal prosperity, admiration, leadership, and freedom from worries, fears, frustrations, and failure are all facets of success. However, the core element that drives all these aspects is the belief in oneself and one's abilities.

Belief in success is the driving force behind every successful endeavor, from businesses to political organizations. The moment doubts creep in, failure follows. Therefore, cultivating a mindset of victory and self-belief is essential. It's also important to remember that success isn't dependent on luck or external circumstances, but on one's mindset. Likewise, it is crucial to differentiate between wishful thinking and genuine belief; the former is ineffective, while the latter sets things into motion. 

Another significant factor in achieving success is the ability to think big. Successful individuals do not let trivial things, self-doubt, or temporary setbacks hinder their progress. They take a long-term perspective, focusing on the big picture and their ultimate goals. It's crucial not to underestimate oneself or focus on one's faults and inadequacies. Instead, it's important to recognize and leverage one's unique strengths and capabilities. 

Additionally, the language we use plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts and perceptions. Using words that inspire optimism and success can create positive, forward-looking mental images that propel us towards our goals.

Your environment also plays a crucial role in shaping your habits, attitudes, personality, and success. It includes all the influences on your conscious and subconscious thoughts. Negative influences can make you think negatively, while positive influences can spur your ambition. It's essential to surround yourself with progressive thinkers, seek advice from successful individuals, and always opt for quality in everything you do. By consciously shaping your environment, you can set it to work in your favor and pave the way to your success.

Home

Trending Books

News & Mags

Relax

Curated

Collections

Key Ideas & Notes

Insights

Highlights & Bookmarks

Listening History

The Magic of Thinking Big

David J. Schwartz

Ever wondered how belief can move mountains?

How can one's environment shape their destiny?

How does the power of persistence blend with experimentation?

Are you ready to navigate through the inspirational stories of Dave Mahoney, Thomas Edison, Lionel Barrymore, and many others who turned their defeats into stepping stones to success?

Dive into this captivating journey of understanding the power of belief, the influence of environment, and the spirit of resilience in shaping one's success.

Key Ideas

#1