August 11, 2017

The Magic of Thinking Big

33 minutes

When you believe I-can-do-it, the How-to-do-it develops. Don’t “Fake it till you make it” but rather “Tell the truth in advance.” In this episode I review the timeless classic, The Magic of Thinking Big and share 5 simple action steps to overcome fear and amplify your success.

“Try to feel defeated and smile big at the same time. You can’t.”— David Schwartz, author The Magic of Thinking Big [Tweet This]

Show Notes: Episode – 08-11-17

Title: N/A Subtitle: N/A Summary:

In this episode, Dan addresses a recurring theme found in his podcast; the idea of thinking BIG. Today, Dan will share why The Magic of Thinking Big, by David Schwartz, landed on his top 5 book recommendations for people to read before they hit the age 30. Listen as Dan explains how our future is determined by the truths we choose to believe—in other words, how success begins in the mind. He lists Schwartz’s 5 simple actions that will boost our confidence and tells you why you should NEVER settle for less.

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Time Stamped Show Notes:

00:51 – Preview of Today’s Show on “The Magic of Thinking Big” When you believe “I can do it”, the” How to do it” develops. Don’t “Fake it till you make it” but rather “Tell the truth in advance.” In this episode, I review the timeless classic, The Magic of Thinking Big and share 5 simple action steps to overcome fear and amplify your success.
- In The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz provides 5 simple actions to help us feel more confident:
  - Be a front seater. Sitting up front builds confidence.

Practice eye contact. Looking the other person in the eye tells him, “I’m honest and confident.”

Walk 25% faster. Psychologists link slovenly postures and sluggish walking to unpleasant attitudes towards oneself, work and the people around us. The extremely beaten people, the real down-and-outers, just shuffle and stumble along. They have zero confidence. The walk of a confident person tells the world, “I’ve got someplace important to go, something important to do.”

Throw your shoulders back, lift up your head, move ahead just a little faster and feel self-confidence grow.

Practice speaking up. As you speak up, you add to your confidence. It’s a confidence building vitamin.

Smile big. Try to feel defeated and smile big at the same time. You can’t do it. A big smile gives confidence. A big smile beats fear, rolls away worry, defeats despondency.

“Try to feel defeated and smile big at the same time. You can’t”— David Schwartz, author The Magic of Thinking Big

01:32 – FreshBooks is offering a 30 day, unrestricted free trial to my listeners. To claim it, just go to https://www.freshbooks.com/48days
03:13 – Three of Dan’s grandsons are reading The Magic of Thinking Big this summer
04:18 – Dan hates the old cliche, “Fake it ‘til you make it”
05:03 – The Super Bowl this year is Dan’s example for thinking big
05:45 – Even though logic and statistics pointed to the loss of the Patriots, they ended up winning!
06:03 – “Look at things not as they are, but as they can be”
06:11 – When Dan bought their property outside Franklin, there were no plants, trees, or bushes
- 06:32 – The previous owners thought the woods were a good place to dump their junk
- 06:44 – After 17 years of living there, Dan still finds old car parts half buried
- 07:01 – Joanne and Dan personally planted over a hundred trees and bushes, used rocks for walking areas and playing areas, and added a 350-foot zipline
- 07:20 – The barn was rebuilt with a new roof
- 07:29 – The original house is covered in stacked stone with new porches and sidewalks, and with a little bridge where you can see a waterfall running down into a pool
- 07:41 – If Dan saw the place as it was, they may not have been that excited about the property
- 08:29 – Eight years after purchasing the house, they had a crew come in to create a dramatic water feature in the open area
- 08:47 – Dan envisioned what he wanted to do to that open area many years before
- 09:03 – Dan saw the possibility even before they had the money to do it
09:33 – “A person is the product of his own thoughts”
10:15 – Dan has one well-worn copy of The Magic of Thinking Big where he writes notes
10:41 – The second chapter talks about “Excusitis”
11:57 – Dan reads a quote from Henry David Thoreau
12:27 – It’s very easy to replicate the success we see in our parents if the path is open to us
13:26 – Sometimes, it’s a disadvantage to have what we think look like advantages
13:42 – Dan came from meager beginnings
13:59 – His upbringing helped him see other possibilities
14:11 – Albert Einstein says imagination is more important than knowledge
14:49 – Fear is the major obstacle in thinking big
15:28 – Trying to get something perfect is never going to happen – it will just be an excuse for inactivity
16:10 – Dan mentions The Flinch by Julien Smith
- 16:31 – Turning the shower cold in the morning is one example of a flinch
17:20 – It’s only fear that’s holding you back
17:26 – To think confidently, act confidently
18:59 – Tell yourself you feel great
19:40 – 5 simple actions to help us feel more confident: Be a front seater. Sitting up front builds confidence. Practice eye contact. Looking the other person in the eye tells him, “I’m honest and confident.” Walk 25% faster. Psychologists link slovenly postures and sluggish walking to unpleasant attitudes towards oneself, work and the people around us. The extremely beaten people, the real down-and-outers, just shuffle and stumble along. They have zero confidence. The walk of a confident person tells the world, “I’ve got someplace important to go, something important to do.” Throw your shoulders back, lift up your head, move ahead just a little faster and feel self-confidence grow. Practice speaking up. As you speak up, you add to your confidence. It’s a confidence building vitamin. Smile big. Try to feel defeated and smile big at the same time. You can’t do it. A big smile gives confidence. A big smile beats fear, rolls away worry, defeats despondency.

23:58 – Proverbs tells us that when a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong
24:59 – All of us are influenced by the thinking around us
25:09 – Be careful choosing the people you spend the most time with
26:07 – Negative co-workers can influence you
27:27 – The belief of the “I Can” attitude generates the power, skill, and energy you need
28:48 – In one of Dan and Joanne’s first years in Chicago, they visited the Sears Tower
- 28:54 – At the base of the towers was the quote, “Make no small plans – they have no magic to stir men’s souls”
30:24 – Dan recaps the 5 simple actions to helps us feel more confident
30:47 – Dan practiced these actions for years and it helped him in a lot of ways which he can list
31:10 – Pick up the book, The Magic of Thinking Big
31:52 – You don’t have to settle for less
32:50 – The new 48 Days Eagles site – This is the best place for moving your career forward
33:11 – Dan closes today’s podcast

3 Key Points:

Your limits are determined in the mind; therefore, foster your imagination.
Never settle for less; you deserve much more than what you initially believe you do.
Implement Schwartz’s 5 simple actions to being more confident in your life and see how much change it can bring you.

Resources Mentioned:

To ask Dan a question for the podcast – AskDan or send an email at [email protected]
The new 48 Days Eagles site – This is the best place for moving your career forward
Make money and serve as a 48 Days Seminar Presenter
FreshBooks is offering a 30 day, unrestricted free trial to my listeners. To claim it, just go to https://www.freshbooks.com/48days
CES Conference with Jim Cockrum – Sept 21-23 for all online biz (I’ll be there!)
Tribe Conference with Jeff Goins – Sept 15-17