30 Lessons From The Magic of Thinking Big

The Magic of Thinking Big contains the secrets to getting the most out of your job, your marriage and family life. The book illustrates how you don’t need to be incredibly intelligent or unique to have the success you want, you simply need to think in a way that cultivates success. By thinking big you can motivate yourself to improve your work life, earn more money and get more happiness and fulfillment out of life.

Following are the 30 things I learnt from this books:

1. Don’t make excuses for why you can’t reach your goals.
2. All people have the same amount of hours in the day – Successful people find the time to become successful.
3. You are not too young/old to become successful. Steve Jobs started Apple before he was twenty and Ronald Reagan had become 70 years old when he became president of America.
4. Interest and enthusiasm is more important than intelligence.
5. Compliment people at every opportunity.
6. Use positive words.
7. Learn to see/visualize what can be and not what is.
8. Eliminate the word impossible and think how “it” could be done.
9. Change is required for progress.
10. Expose yourself to new things, friends, places, restaurants etc.
11. Always accept every opportunity to do more.
12. If you want something done. Hand it to the busiest person you know.
13. Action cures fear. Action separates a dreamer from a doer.
14. A fair idea acted upon is better than great idea not acted upon.
15. Smile until you show your teeth towards all people and you’ll feel happier
16. Walk faster than other people.
17. Speak up, but don’t speak fast, so you avoid sounding insecure.
18. Look sharp and you will think sharp and be perceived sharp.
19. Sell yourself to yourself. Do a commercial about yourself.
20. All children dream big, but repressive environment results in only 3-4% never give up success.
21. Don’t let negative people destroy your plans. Seek advice only from successful people. They know its possible.
22. Gossip is poison – Chopping your neighbors furniture doesn’t make your won better.
23. Put service first and money will come.
24. Call people by name.
25. Avoid sarcasm and don’t make other people small.
26. The better you treat people the better your are off. Praise people first.
27. Think improvement and high standards in everything you do.
28. Successful people spend time alone for super thinking. At least 30 min a day.
29. Visualize goals for home, work and social activities.
30. Every step should be seen as a step towards you direction to success.

In the words of Publilius Syrus:
A wise man will be master of his mind,
A fool will be its slave.

 

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3 Seconds: The Power of Thinking Twice

One line summary: It takes just three seconds to turn a negative impulse into a positive one.

Les Parrott in his book 3 Seconds: The Power of Thinking Twice outlines the six common impulses that typically sabotage success, claiming that three seconds is all that stands between those who settle for “whatever” and those who insist on “whatever it takes”.

He suggests to consciously replace the first automatic impulse with a second less natural but more effective one.

• Empower Yourself
  • 1st impulse: “There’s nothing I can do about it.”
  • 2nd impulse: “I can’t do everything, but I can do something.”
• Embrace a Good Challenge
  • 1st impulse: “It’s too difficult to even attempt.”
  • 2nd impulse: “I love a challenge.”
• Fuel Your Passion
  • 1st impulse: “I’ll do what happens to come my way.”
  • 2nd impulse: “I’ll do what I’m designed to do.”
• Own Your Piece of the Pie
  • 1st impulse: “It’s not my problem, somebody else is to blame.”
  • 2nd impulse: “The buck stops here.”
• Walk the Extra Mile
  • 1st impulse: “I’ve done what’s required, and that’s that.”
  • 2nd impulse: “I’ll go above and beyond the mere minimum.”
• Quit Stewing and Start Doing
  • 1st impulse: “Someday I’m going to do that.”
  • 2nd impulse: “I’m diving in … starting today.”

The key is to focus on the decisions that you make. 3 Seconds offers many examples of specific areas in which you can take control of your decisions.

There is also a section devoted solely to how to make this way of thought a habit. Simply reading the book is not enough! You have to take action.  You have to train yourself to think through each decision and to not settle for less than whatever it takes, especially in moments when things are difficult.

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. The people that get on in this world are those who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, make them.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

Make Your Second Impulse, Your Second Nature.

Inhale … exhale … the difference of your lifetime can begin in the space of a single breath. The decision is yours. Start today.