This is the seventh discussion in a book review series on The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, which focuses on setting goals high and achieving success.

Here, the book takes what I at first thought was strange. I was intrigued by how you can be what you think you are.

David uses an example how people behave around people. When some people greet, Some receive a kind of treatment while others are treated very differently. Another observation opened up by David is how people command confidence and respect while others do not.

Look Important

Whenever you look at a office executive, you see that he commands respect from all his staff. Whenever you look at a bum on the street, you think he has no future. Why is that? It’s because of appearance. “First Impressions Lasts”, is a slogan by Axe Cologne is a very honest description of what David is trying to say. Your appearance will be the first thing to communicate who you are, even before you have spoken a word.

Dress Right and Look Important!

Think Your Work Is Important

David shares a story I read in one of John Maxwell’s books:

There’s a story often told about the job attitudes of three bricklayers. It’s a classic, so let’s go over it again.

When asked, “What are you doing?” the first bricklayer replied, “Laying brick.” The second answered, “Making $9.30 and hour” And the third said, “Me? Why, I’m building the world’s greatest cathedral.”

Who do you think would work at his best capacity? Let me answer that for you. The third bricklayer. He sees his job as a very important one that will help in building a very important project. He will do his best because he knows that it is part something much bigger. Now, try thinking of your job as a job that helps the company move progressively. Doesn’t it put things in a different light?

Give Yourself a Pep Talk

The author recommends creating a sell yourself to yourself commercial. This commercial would sum up your assets and your points of superiority.

This is something I do every time I go for an interview or go on a sales meeting. I tell myself that I am someone important. I have skills unique from everyone. I have intelligence unique to anyone. I don’t have to be shy. I don’t have to fear the other person. I haven’t gone to that extent of writing a “Thorpe Obazee 60-second commercial” but mine works.

Upgrade your thinking

This part of the section sums up what to ask yourself in different situations.

When you worry, ask yourself, Would and important person worry bout this?

When reading, ask yourself, Would an important person be reading this?

When losing your temper, ask yourself, Would an important person get mad at what I’m mad at?

Ultimately, you should ask yourself in every situation, Is this the way an important person does it?

The next discussion, will cover the seventh section of The Magic of Thinking Big (Manage Your Environment: Go First Class).