Main Takeaways from a book I really, deeply enjoy re-reading.

The Magic of Thinking Big

I’ll never forget the day I was walking through the San Diego State University campus, my beloved alma mater, when my eyes landed on a stranger sitting on a bench. In that moment, I felt an inexplicable draw towards him and before I knew it, I was walking over to say “Hi.”

Little did I know, that simple “hi” would lead to a profound two hour conversation about life’s deepest questions — philosophy, values, spirituality. We talked about Jesus and bonded over a shared passion for making the world a better place and self improvement. By the end, I had made a true friend in (an Absolute G) Elias Del Rincon. He even recommended a book that would change my life — The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz.

Ever since reading that book, I’ve tried to live by its lessons of believing in yourself, dreaming big, and taking bold action. When I flip through its pages each year, I’m reminded of Elias and our serendipitous meeting. I remember how a single conversation can plant seeds of wisdom that continue to grow and enlighten. How a stranger can become a treasured friend. How powerful it is to follow your intuition and say “Hi.” Those two hours shaped me in ways I’m still discovering today. Wherever Elias is now, I hope he knows the gift he gave me that day. A gift I now try to pay forward by opening my heart to each new person I meet.

Below are my main lessons and hopefully can be applicable to you too:

1.) Action cures fear: When you are scared or anxious of something, take action to do resolve that fear.

Ask yourself “What action can I take to conquer my fear- isolate it and work on it?”

Example: If you are scared of failing an exam- Covert that time worrying about the exam to to study time.

Example 2: Fear of something out of your control - Switch your attention to something different.

As hesitation enlarges the fear.

2.) Hope needs action to start victories.

3.) Deposit only good thoughts in your “thought” bank.- Confident and successful people do not give it another thought on unpleasant situations. —

When I am alone, think only positive memories — before I go to bed reflect on every tiny victory I did- reasons why I am glad to be alive.

Refuse to build mental monsters- Refuse to withdraw mental monsters from my memories. — Think about the good parts and eventually the mind wants to forget the negative parts that are in my memory.

4) There is no reason to be afraid of other people; they are just like you:

They are important. SO ARE YOU.- You Are IMPORTANT too.

One way to interpret a situation is to think “We are just two important people to discuss something of mutual benefit and interest.”

5) People are measured by the size of their thinking.

We receive the kind of treatment we think we deserve.

How you think determines how you act. How you act in turn determines: How others react to you.

How you look on the outside affects how you think and feel on the inside.

6) Building Enthusiasm

But how does one develop enthusiasm? The basic step is simple: Think enthusiastically. Build in yourself an optimistic, progressive glow; a feeling that “this is great and I’m 100 percent for it.”

To be on top, you’ve got to feel like you’re on top — Give yourself a pep talk; yell at the mirror positive affirmations, mediate to Sadhguru, get a pump.

Which on that note, accept negative advice only as a challenge to prove you can do it.

If you want to chat about this further, share your experiences — feel free to reach me at my e-mail: patelaatu@gmail.com