Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Magic of Getting What You Want

Rate this book
Explains how to determine personal objectives and learn how to work effectively with others to reach one's goal and to achieve greater prosperity, happiness, influence, and personal fulfillment

276 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

David J. Schwartz

44 books723 followers
David Joseph Schwartz PhD (March 23, 1927 – December 6, 1987) was an American motivational writer and coach, best known for authoring The Magic of Thinking Big in 1959.

He was a professor at Georgia State University and also began his own work as a self-help coach and life strategist. Later, he founded his own consultancy firm focusing on leadership development called 'Creative Educational Services Inc'.

He became well known through his motivational publications and self-help books, especially for The Magic of Thinking Big, published in 1959.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
121 (47%)
4 stars
75 (29%)
3 stars
45 (17%)
2 stars
10 (3%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
5 reviews
Read
January 26, 2008
Many-many things u will find out from read this book.. we all born as a champion.. What u think is what u get.. So never-never think like a fool person..
Think that u can do it... be positive and u will Get what you want..
Profile Image for Meghana Lakayil.
44 reviews
November 28, 2023
Author Dr. David has detailed each point in comparison to real-life examples. The book consists of various potent points that can be useful in our lives. It gave me an insight into how we can come back from a fall in our lives!
The "A.S.K" and "persistent patience" were the best tips in the book.
Profile Image for Adeline.
29 reviews
May 30, 2026
A lot of practical takeaways in this one!

David Schwartz had a real talent for taking simple ideas and presenting them in a way that makes you actually want to apply them. This book follows that same formula, focusing on goal setting, confidence, personal initiative, and the habits that move people closer to the lives they want.

One thing I enjoyed was how practical the advice feels. Schwartz doesn't spend much time discussing luck, talent, or circumstances. Instead, he repeatedly emphasizes action, persistence, and maintaining a positive outlook. It's not revolutionary advice okayyyyy, but sometimes the most useful lessons are the ones we've heard before and forgotten to practice and this was a good reminder for me as always, I need thoseeee!

The writing is straightforward and easy to read, the way I would explain it is like this, it is the kind of book you can pick up for a few chapters at a time without losing momentum I guess. Some things are repeated and the optimism seems always high but I liked it. I had a fun time with this. I would give this a 4.5 rounded up to a 5.
Profile Image for Dimma Jose.
42 reviews2 followers
December 16, 2019
To get profit without risk, experience without danger, and reward without work, is as impossible as it is to live without being born!!
2 reviews
January 14, 2021
Great book on positive thinking and how to improve your life and circumstance and still so relevant today!
Profile Image for Sophie.
8 reviews
January 20, 2023
3.5
Непогана книга про позитивне мислення
7 reviews
June 14, 2025
Fantastic book. As good as his famous one
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews