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The Magic of Thinking Big  By  cover art

The Magic of Thinking Big

By: David J. Schwartz Ph.D.
Narrated by: David J. Schwartz Ph.D.
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Publisher's summary

Millions of people throughout the world have improved their lives using The Magic of Thinking Big. Dr. David J. Schwartz, long regarded as one of the foremost experts on motivation, will help you sell better, manage better, earn more money, and - most important of all - find greater happiness and peace of mind.

The Magic of Thinking Big gives you useful methods, not empty promises. Dr. Schwartz presents a carefully designed program for getting the most out of your job, your marriage and family life, and your community. He proves that you don't need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain great success and satisfaction - but you do need to learn and understand the habit of thinking and behaving in ways that will get you there.

  • Believe you can succeed and you will
  • Cure Yourself of the Fear of Failure
  • Build Confidence and Destroy Fear
  • Use Goals to Help You Grow
  • Think Like a Leader
  • ©1986 David J. Schwartz, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. (P)1986 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Critic reviews

    Featured Article: The 22 Best Motivational Audiobooks for Jump-Starting Your Life


    For most of us, motivation tends to ebb and flow; sometimes, even the act of staying motivated feels like something we need to inspire ourselves to do. When you hit a rut, there’s no shame in calling in reinforcements, and luckily, our catalog has a vast selection of them to help you reach for bigger and better in all areas of your life. We’ve compiled this list of the best motivational audiobooks for all the times when you need a boost to get going.

    What listeners say about The Magic of Thinking Big

    Average customer ratings
    Overall
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • 5 Stars
      3,508
    • 4 Stars
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    • 3 Stars
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    • 2 Stars
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    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars

    I just enjoyed it!!

    I felt the information was very helpful and easy to incorporate into my life....Thanks...

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    4 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Performance
      5 out of 5 stars
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      5 out of 5 stars

    Motivating

    I came across a recommendation for the “The magic of thinking big” while reading the “4 hour workweek”. The first thing that struck me was the narrator – he seemed very enthusiastic, but also seemed to be older. The more I listened though the narration really seemed to be the perfect complement to the content of the book. There is a great deal of really good information in the book and it is delivered in such a quaint way that it is almost like listening to someone you trust giving advice. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, found the information to be very informative. I would say the content is more focused on motivational and somewhat less focused on entrepreneurial content. Dr Schwartz passed away nearly 30 years ago, and yet the messages he conveys are as relevant today as they were then. I would highly recommend this book.

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    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Performance
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Story
      2 out of 5 stars

    Same old same old

    What disappointed you about The Magic of Thinking Big?

    There was nothing new to learn. Same as Think and grow Rich but in a simplified format. The whole book could have been written in one paragraph rather than several hours of just repeating the same thing over and over.

    You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

    Yes, it was written in an engaging way.

    Any additional comments?

    Not sure if this is a business book. Comes across more as a self help book for seriously disadvantaged individuals. Like Tim Robbins for kids.

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    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      2 out of 5 stars

    Low end of the personal development strata

    Well this one is for the meek. It's to help little office ladies to ask for a raise. I'm sure it will help many out there, but folks wanting the better end of the social development strata should avoid it.

    If you're already running your own business etc. and already know what a backbone is to an extend it's a waste of time. I got to chapter 2 and hit delete to get the hard drive space back.

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    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      1 out of 5 stars

    Boring

    Sorry, but this one was boring with stuff commonly heard elsewhere.

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    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      2 out of 5 stars

    Cheesy

    This book was amusing if it wasn't anything else. The cheesiness made it worth the while. It reminded me of the audio that used to accompany filmstrips from elementary school. Listen to it with a friend and have a good laugh. That being said, it still had a few good nuggets in there that I'll apply.

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    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Performance
      5 out of 5 stars
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      5 out of 5 stars

    The extra push I needed to hear

    Being an overwhelmed entrepreneur running a business and sustaining my family, I've already listened to this audiobook 3 times in 7 days. It's like fuel for the brain. Such simple, practical concepts yet they make so much sense in the way he describes them. This audio book differs from others in the sense that it provides specific action items along the way. He literally says "here's what to do about it" and lists steps. Awesome.

    I will listen to this weekly for months to come. Already have seen an increase in productivity and motivation. And best of all, an increase in income.

    For the record, I've also listened to: Think and Grow Rich, The Law of Success, The Science of Getting Rich, the 4 hour work week and the E-Myth revisited. This adds to the collection perfectly. If you're a business owner or someone who simply wants to "level up" in life, definitely get this book.

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    2 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Performance
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Story
      5 out of 5 stars

    Timeless Lessons in a Compact Package

    This is not a new book itself and there is not a lot new in the book that wasn't covered over 70 years ago by Dale Carnegie and Napoleon Hill. BUT, this book puts it all together in a very concise and actionable package. The performance of the book is interesting, with alternative narrators cutting in to tell stories to give examples. Overall, I found this to be an extremely useful and actionable book. I wish I had read it when it originally came out, but, as Schwartz points out, it is never too late to put the principles into action!

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    2 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      3 out of 5 stars

    ok tips but i hoped for more

    i found it short and not particulaly deep, the ideas are pritty much common sense and you will recognise things from other books, i found little new insight but maybe i'll read it agin just to check :) i like the few practical tips of acting happy and energies and you WILL be more happy and energiezed, and more favourite, walk 25% faster,makes you feel more purposefull and communicates it too others.Summary, it's ok dont expect to much, especialy if your well read in these things.

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    2 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      3 out of 5 stars

    Good but repetitive

    The concept of Thinking Big is a great one, but let me sum this book up in two phrases and save you the 5 hours this book demands. "Think Big. Achieve more."

    That's aboutit

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    2 people found this helpful