Ever wondered why some people make it big while others get stuck making excuses?

That’s the main question David J. Schwartz tackles in his powerful self-help book, The Magic of Thinking Big.

He wrote it after years of observing something strange. People with average intelligence often outperform those with top degrees and glowing resumes. Why? Because they dared to think bigger.

Here’s a story he shared. A brilliant man with a top university record ended up in a quiet village job. When asked why, he blamed his wife and kids. But Schwartz saw it differently. He wasn’t a victim, he was hiding behind excuses.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’m too young,” “I don’t have time,” or “I’m not smart enough,” this book is for you.

You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, stop playing small, and build the business or life you really want, even if you don’t know where to start.

Detailed Summary of The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz

“Action cures fear.”

That line from The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz says a lot to get you started.

In this book, Davide gives you practical advice to stop playing small, stop complaining, and start acting like the person you want to become.

He starts by exposing the lies we tell ourselves, like “I’m too old,” “I’m not smart enough,” or “I don’t have time.” You probably say some of those things to yourself. We all do. But he shows how those excuses are killing your confidence and limiting your success.

Then he goes deeper:

• He shows you why attitude matters more than intelligence
• He teaches you how to think for yourself instead of just memorizing facts
• He explains how to handle fear with action, not overthinking
• He breaks down how to grow self-confidence through honesty and small wins
• He gives you real ways to think creatively, even if you feel stuck

He backs everything up with relatable stories. Like the one where a one-armed man beats others at golf—not because he’s strong, but because his mindset is strong.

If you want to build something online, grow your income, or just stop doubting yourself, this book can help.

You’ll stop waiting for permission. You’ll start asking better questions. And you’ll realize you’ve got more time and potential than you thought.

9 Lessons from The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz

If you’ve been wanting to start something but fear, self-doubt, and excuses are keeping you stuck in the same place, The Magic of Thinking Big will wake you up.

Here are 9 clear, practical lessons from the book that will help you build something better, even with a busy life or a foggy sense of direction.

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1. Excuses Are Lies You Tell Yourself

Schwartz doesn’t sugarcoat this. Excuses are mental habits. And once you start using them, they multiply.

• “I’m too young.”
• “I don’t have time.”
• “I need more money first.”
• “Others are smarter.”

He says the more successful a person is, the fewer excuses they make. You’ll either find a way or find a reason not to try. Your choice.

If you want to build a business or start creating something of your own, drop the justifications. Start where you are.

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2. Your Attitude Beats Your Intelligence

Schwartz tells the story of a one-armed golfer who outplayed people with both arms. His reason? “The right attitude and one arm will beat the wrong attitude and two arms every time.”

You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. You need to believe you can figure things out and keep showing up. That’s the attitude that wins in business.

If you keep waiting to feel ready or perfect, you’ll wait forever.

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3. Think for Yourself

In school, we’re taught to choose from a list of options. Life’s not like that. Schwartz shares the example of two job candidates—one had the facts memorized. The other figured things out with a creative solution.

Guess who he would hire? The problem solver.

If you want to build a business or grow online, you need to stop waiting for the “right answers” and start training your brain to ask better questions. The internet rewards people who can solve problems and think for themselves.

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4. Think Big—Then Work Big

Thinking big isn’t just about dreaming. It’s about stretching your current limits.

He says most people can’t even let themselves imagine success. They limit their dreams before life even has a chance to do it for them.

But here’s the thing: thinking big is just step one. You’ll also need to:

• Work hard
• Do things others won’t
• Fail and keep going
• Learn constantly

If you’re dreaming of an online business or side income, aim higher than “just a little extra.” Think about building a brand, serving people, and growing something real.

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5. You’re Not Too Young or Too Old

Schwartz breaks the myth of being too late or too early. He asks a simple math question:

If the average productive age starts at 20 and ends at 70, that gives you 50 years. If you’re 40, you’re not late. You still have 30 years left.

And if you’re in your 20s, you’re early. You’ve got time to experiment.

Stop letting age be the reason you stall. Build what you want now. You’ll either get results or gain skills.

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6. Fear Dies When You Take Action

Schwartz calls fear the number one enemy of success. But he says it’s not something you fix by thinking. You fix it by doing.

He tells the story of a sales manager scared of losing his job. Instead of acting, the guy just stressed himself out. Schwartz told him to:

• Take action to fix sales
• Look for other opportunities just in case

The result? His performance improved, and he had job offers waiting. But he didn’t need them anymore.

The point? Stop sitting in your fear. Make a move. You’ll feel better after step one.

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7. Confidence Comes from Doing the Right Thing

Want more confidence? Act in ways that build it.

Schwartz says acting wrong kills confidence. Even if no one sees it, your brain keeps track. He shares how misleading people for short-term gains makes you second guess everything later.

Confidence comes from integrity. If you’re building a brand, selling products, or sharing ideas online, this matters. You need to trust yourself first. That trust gets built by doing the right thing even when no one’s watching.

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8. Feed Your Brain Better Memories

Your mind is like a memory bank. Whatever you deposit—positive or negative—gets stored.

When you need confidence or clarity, you’ll make a withdrawal. What do you think you’ll get if you’ve only stored failure and doubt?

Schwartz says:

• Only deposit good thoughts. Don’t go to bed with negative thoughts running your mind.
• Only withdraw positive proof that you can do hard things.

Your past doesn’t have to be perfect. You just need to store the right things on purpose.

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9. Creative Thinking Can Be Learned

You’re not born creative. You train yourself to think creatively.

Schwartz says creativity starts when you believe a solution is possible. Doubt kills creativity. Belief turns your brain on.

He gives this simple trick:
Every day, spend 10 minutes asking yourself questions like:

• How can I get more clients?
• How can I save time?
• How can I turn this interest into income?

Then write down every idea. Even the weird ones.

Review your notes weekly. Some ideas will connect. Some will be useless. Some will change everything.

If you’re feeling stuck in your current job or overwhelmed by where to start, make this a habit. It works.

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You don’t only need a step-by-step manual to build something online. You need the right mindset and the courage to start small, think bigger, and keep showing up.

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz gives you that mindset.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to have it all figured out to start thinking big.

You just need to stop shrinking your ideas to fit your doubts. The Magic of Thinking Big shows you how to push past excuses, grow real confidence, and take action—no matter where you’re starting from.

If you want to build something that matters, this book will help you believe it’s possible.
You can also read my blog post on Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. You’ll learn how rich people think and how you can train your brain to do the same.