The Magic of Thinking Big
by David Joseph Schwartz · first published 1900
82% recommend18% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Simple, easy-to-read self-help with plain advice on positive thinking, mindset and ambition; a pick-me-up for people feeling stuck, losing direction or starting out on a business or career change.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The timeless and practical advice in The Magic of Thinking Big clearly demonstrates how you can: Sell more Manage better Lead fearlessly Earn more Enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life With applicable and easy-to-implement insights, you’ll discover: Why believing you can succeed is essential How to quit making excuses The means to overcoming fear and finding confidence How to develop and use creative thinking and dreaming Why making (and getting) the most of your attitudes is critical How to think right towards others The best ways to make “action” a habit How to find victory in
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2010–2022Awareness
Anthony De Mello
Recommended by 8 · mentioned by 98 recommend · 9 mention8 recommend · 98 recommend
2010–2025The art of happiness
His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso the XIV Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler
Recommended by 11 · mentioned by 1411 recommend · 14 mention11 recommend · 1411 recommend
2016–2026Prisoners of geography
Tim Marshall
Recommended by 21 · mentioned by 3221 recommend · 32 mention21 recommend · 3221 recommend
2008–2025Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman
Recommended by 22 · mentioned by 3622 recommend · 36 mention22 recommend · 3622 recommend
2007–2026Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Robert T. Kiyosaki, Sharon L. Lechter
Recommended by 96 · mentioned by 27496 recommend · 274 mention96 recommend · 27496 recommend
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Friedrich Nietzsche
Recommended by 31 · mentioned by 5831 recommend · 58 mention31 recommend · 5831 recommend
2007–2026Flow
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Recommended by 68 · mentioned by 12068 recommend · 120 mention68 recommend · 12068 recommend
2007–2026Who Moved My Cheese?
Spencer Johnson
Recommended by 26 · mentioned by 6226 recommend · 62 mention26 recommend · 6226 recommend
The Magic of Thinking Big (David Schwartz), from the 1960s IIRC, is great.
on “How to think like an entrepreneur, wherever you are” ↗The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton The Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
on “What is the book that has completely changed your way of thinking?” ↗…was once a 13-year-old girl and loved writing short stories and learning about business. Some books that worked for me: - The 4-Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss - Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Guy Kawasaki - The Magic of Thinking Big, by David. J Schwartz - Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey One not super related to business but a great short read: Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. That book taught me to think creatively…
on “Ask HN: Best Business Book For a 13-year-old Girl?” ↗…Lean Startup - Eric Ries (recommended) As a Man Thinketh - James Allen (quick read, highly recommended) The Effective Executive - Peter Drucker (terrific book chalked full of wisdom. recommended) The Magic of Thinking Big - David Schwartz (recommended) Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us - Seth Godin (recommended) Psycho-Cybernetics: A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life - Maxwell Maltz (first published in 1960, this incredible…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗"The Magic of Thinking Big", by David J. Schwartz. It contains the secrets to getting the most out of your job and family life.
on “Ask HN: Books for Reevaluation of Life” ↗…You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry - The Star Principle: How It Can Make You Rich - Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success - The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz - Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow - The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger
on “Ask HN: Best books read in 2022” ↗The Magic of Thinking Big - Dr. David J. Schwartz
on “Ask HN: What books an Entrepreneur should read?” ↗…you've come from or who you were yesterday. It matters more who you want to become and where you are going. Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Suggested Reading: - Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz - The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
on “Ask HN: What’s wrong with me” ↗…in The Jetsons [2] will inevitably be part of the future, so there's an idea. Learn to think positively and see the potential of all things, including "obvious" articles. I'd certainly recommend The Magic of Thinking Big [3], namely the example about prisons. [1] pg: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4693920 [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Jetsons_characters#... [3] http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B002V1BMPI
on “The best founders are futurists” ↗…example I don't care about real estate. My personal philosophy is a combination of all the different sources I have been exposed too. My main influences would be the mustachian thought sphere (MMM, The Magic of Thinking Big, Stoicism), secular western buddhism (Buddhism Plain and Simple, In the realm of hungry ghosts, The magic of tidying up) Game theory probabilistic thinking (Poker background). When I first started reading…
on “Interview with Mr. Money Mustache” ↗…achievement rather than motivating me it has the opposite effect. Don't be afraid to stop reading/leave an event if you find you're not getting energised by it. A good book that's easy to read is The Magic Of Thinking Big. Nice, simple advice and a good pick-me-up. It's full of common sense and useful steps you can take to get re-energised. Finally, I just want to echo what others have said: there's no rush; don't pressure…
on “Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)” ↗…people having such radically differing worldviews. I am very ambitious, and personally 500k a year is a good "start" towards success. There's a lot of great books about the power of thought. I like "The Magic Of Thinking Big".
on “Ask HN: What will people pay money for?” ↗…books... generally, I detest them too. But once in a while, when the world around looks too complex, reading simple books like "Jonathan Livingstone Seagull", "Prophet", even "Who Moved My Cheese?" and "The Magic of Thinking Big" has helped me...
on “What Killed Michael Porter's Monitor Group? The Force That Really Matters (2012)” ↗…Triology, 2001 Space Odessey and Ring World - Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand - I never read anything like that before - Leon Uris' books (Qb VII and a host of others) showed how scary humanity can be - The Magic of Thinking Big was a breath of fresh air - Edward De Bono's books
on “Ask HN: What books fundamentally changed the way you think about the world?” ↗Read The Magic of Thinking Big. You're not a wantrepreneur - you've tried something and been paid for it, and that's a big step that a lot of people don't get to. Changing your mindset is the first step. Don't think that because…
on “Ask HN: Am I just a wantrepreneur?” ↗