Book summary of “The Magic of Getting What You Want” By David J. Schwartz
The Magic of Getting What You Want is a self-help book by David J. Schwartz that was first published in 1987. The book has sold over 3 million copies and has been translated into 38 languages.
The book’s central premise is that everyone has the power to achieve their goals if they are willing to work hard and believe in themselves. Schwartz argues that the key to success is to focus on your goals, create a plan, and take action. He also emphasizes the importance of staying motivated and overcoming obstacles.
The book is divided into 10 chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of achieving success. The chapters cover topics such as the power of desire, setting goals, creating a plan, taking action, overcoming obstacles, staying motivated, and the law of attraction.
The Magic of Getting What You Want is a comprehensive and inspiring guide to achieving success. Schwartz’s insights and advice are valuable for anyone who is looking to improve their life and achieve their goals.
II. The Power of Desire
The first step to getting what you want is to desire it with all your heart. When you truly desire something, you will find a way to make it happen.
There are a few things you can do to increase your desire for something. First, visualize yourself having it. See yourself using it, enjoying it, and benefiting from it. Second, think about how it will make your life better. How will it make you happier, healthier, or more successful? Third, talk about it with people who are supportive and encouraging.
When you have a strong desire for something, you will be more motivated to take action and make it happen. You will also be more persistent in the face of obstacles.
So if you want to achieve your goals, start by developing a strong desire for them.
III. Setting Goals
Setting goals is an important part of achieving success. When you know what you want to achieve, you can create a plan to reach your goal. There are a few things to keep in mind when setting goals:
- Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Your goals should be something that you are passionate about and that you believe you can achieve.
- Your goals should be challenging, but not impossible.
Once you have set your goals, it is important to create a plan to reach them. Your plan should include the steps you need to take to achieve your goal, as well as the timeline for each step.
It is also important to stay motivated and focused on your goals. There will be times when you feel like giving up, but it is important to remember why you set your goal in the first place. If you stay focused and committed, you will eventually achieve your goal.
IV. Creating a Plan
Once you have set your goals, it is important to create a plan to achieve them. Your plan should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Specific: Your goals should be specific and clear. For example, instead of saying “I want to be successful,” you could say “I want to earn $100,000 per year by the end of 2023.”
Measurable: Your goals should be measurable so that you can track your progress. For example, you could track your progress towards your goal of earning $100,000 per year by tracking your monthly income.
Achievable: Your goals should be achievable, but they should also be challenging. If your goals are too easy, you will not be motivated to achieve them. If your goals are too difficult, you will be discouraged and give up.
Relevant: Your goals should be relevant to your life and your values. If your goals are not relevant to you, you will not be motivated to achieve them.
Time-bound: Your goals should have a deadline. This will help you to stay focused and motivated.
Once you have created a plan, it is important to take action and start working towards your goals. The sooner you start, the sooner you will achieve them.
V. Taking Action
Once you have set goals and created a plan, it’s time to take action. This is the most important step, and it’s the one that most people fail to do.
The key to taking action is to break your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make them seem less daunting and more achievable.
For example, if your goal is to lose weight, you could break it down into smaller steps such as:
- Start by eating healthier foods.
- Start exercising regularly.
- Set a realistic weight loss goal.
Once you have a plan in place, it’s time to start taking action. The best way to do this is to create a schedule and stick to it.
For example, if you want to start exercising, you could set a goal to work out three times per week. Then, you could create a schedule that includes the days and times that you will work out.
It’s important to be realistic when creating your schedule. If you try to do too much too soon, you’re likely to get discouraged and give up.
Start by setting small goals and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as you get more fit.
The most important thing is to just start taking action. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just focus on taking steps that will move you closer to your goals.
VI. Overcoming Obstacles
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving our goals is the fear of failure. We may worry that we’re not good enough, or that we’ll never be able to achieve what we set out to do. However, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences setbacks and failures. The key is to not let them discourage us. We need to learn from our mistakes and keep moving forward.
Another obstacle that we may face is a lack of support. We may not have anyone in our lives who believes in us or who is willing to help us achieve our goals. If this is the case, we need to find other ways to get support. We can join a support group, find a mentor, or simply read books or articles about achieving our goals.
Finally, we may also face financial or logistical obstacles. We may not have the money to invest in our goals, or we may not have the time or resources to make them happen. If this is the case, we need to be creative and find ways to overcome these obstacles. We may need to get a part-time job, or we may need to cut back on our expenses. We may also need to find ways to make our goals more realistic.
No matter what obstacles we face, it’s important to remember that we can overcome them. We need to stay focused on our goals, and we need to be willing to work hard. If we don’t give up, we will eventually achieve what we set out to do.
VII. Staying Motivated
Staying motivated is one of the most important aspects of achieving your goals. When you’re motivated, you’re more likely to take action and persevere through challenges. There are a number of things you can do to stay motivated, including:
- Set realistic goals.
- Create a plan and break your goals down into smaller steps.
- Visualize your goals.
- Find a support system.
- Reward yourself for your progress.
If you’re struggling to stay motivated, it’s important to identify what’s getting in your way and take steps to address it. For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you may need to break your goals down into smaller steps or find a way to simplify your life. If you’re feeling discouraged, you may need to find a support system or remind yourself of why you’re working towards your goals.
Staying motivated is not always easy, but it’s essential if you want to achieve your goals. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of staying on track and reaching your full potential.
The Law of Attraction
The Law of Attraction is a universal law that states that like attracts like. This means that whatever you put out into the world, you will attract back into your life. If you focus on positive thoughts and actions, you will attract positive things into your life. If you focus on negative thoughts and actions, you will attract negative things into your life.
The Law of Attraction is not about wishing for things or hoping that they will happen. It is about taking action and creating the life that you want. When you focus on your goals and take steps to achieve them, you are putting out positive energy into the world. This positive energy will attract positive things into your life, and you will eventually achieve your goals.
The Law of Attraction is a powerful law that can help you to create the life that you want. However, it is important to remember that it is not magic. You still have to put in the work and take action. But if you do, the Law of Attraction will help you to achieve your goals.
The final chapter of “The Magic of Getting What You Want” discusses the power of positive thinking. Schwartz argues that our thoughts have a powerful impact on our lives, and that by thinking positively, we can create a better reality for ourselves. He encourages readers to adopt a positive attitude, to focus on their goals, and to believe in themselves.
Schwartz provides a number of tips for developing a positive mindset, including:
- Practicing gratitude
- Visualizing success
- Affirming positive statements
- Surrounding yourself with positive people
He also emphasizes the importance of taking action, and reminds readers that positive thinking is not enough to achieve their goals. They must also take steps to make their dreams a reality.
The Power of Positive Thinking is a powerful book that can help you to change your life. By adopting a positive attitude, you can create a better reality for yourself and achieve your goals.