Why this big book? Why a full-scale discussion of *The Magic of* *Thinking Big*? Thousands of books will be published this year. Why one more? Permit me to give you just a little background. Several years ago I witnessed an exceptionally impressive sales meeting. The vice president in charge of marketing for this company was tremendously excited. He wanted to drive home a point. He had with him on the platform the leading represen- tative in the organization, a very ordinary-looking fellow, who earned in the year just ended just a little under $60,000. The earn- ings of other representatives averaged $12,000.
The executive challenged the group. Here is what he said: “I want you to take a good look at Harry. Look at him! Now, what’s Harry got that the rest of you haven’t? Harry earned five times the average, but is Harry five times smarter? No, not according to our personnel tests. I checked. They show he’s about average in that department. “And did Harry work five times harder than you fellows? No—not according to the reports. In fact, he took more time off than most of you. “Did Harry have a better territory? Again I’ve got to say no.
The accounts averaged about the same. Did Harry have more education? Better health? Again, no. Harry is about as average as an average guy could be except for one thing. “The difference between Harry and the rest of you,” said the vice president, “the difference is that Harry thought five times bigger.” Then the executive proceeded to show that success is deter- mined not so much by the size of one’s brain as it is by the size of one’s thinking. This was an intriguing thought.
But where does the proof come from? How do we know the master thinkers were right? Fair questions. The proof comes from the lives of the select people around us who, through win- ning success, achievement, and happiness, prove that thinking big does work magic. The simple steps we have set down here are not untested theories. They are not one man’s guesses and opinions. They are proven approaches to life’s situations, and they are universally applicable steps that work and work like magic. That you’re reading this page proves you are interested in larger success. You want to fulfill your desires. You want to enjoy a fine standard of living. You want this life to deliver to you all the good things you deserve. Being interested in success is a wonderful quality.
In every chapter of this book you will find dozens of hardheaded, practical ideas, techniques, and principles that will enable you to harness the tremendous power of thinking big, so as to gain for yourself the success, happiness, and satisfaction you want so much. Every technique is dramatically illustrated by a real-life case history. You discover not only what to do, but, what is even more important, you see exactly how to apply each principle to actual situations and problems. Here, then, is what this book will do for you; it will show you how you can . . .
On some occasion you’ve probably heard someone say something like “It’s nonsense to think you can make a mountain move away just by saying ‘Mountain, move away.’ It’s simply impossible.” People who think this way have belief confused with wish- ful thinking. And true enough, you can’t wish away a mountain. You can’t wish yourself into an executive suite. Nor can you wish yourself into a five-bedroom, three-bath house or the high-income brackets. You can’t wish yourself into a position of leadership. But you *can* move a mountain with belief. You *can* win suc- cess by believing you can succeed. There is nothing magical or mystical about the power of belief.
It will certainly offer a deeper understanding of the detailed and dedicated way Kobe Bryant approached the game. It’s one thing to have talent, but another to have the drive to learn the nuances. James Naismith is credited with having said “basketball is an easy game to play, but a difficult game to master.” This is a window into the mind of someone who mastered it. The combination of Andy Bernstein’s exceptional photography and Kobe’s insights might make you a better player if you’re inclined. Kobe came into the NBA with a desire and talent to become one of the greatest players of all time. He achieved that goal through his dedication and perseverance. The opportunity to play for the Lakers, a historic franchise, gave him an audience and a forum, but his level of success came entirely from within. Kobe and I first met in 1999 at the Beverly Hills Hilton, on the day I was formally announced as the Lakers’ coach.