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How To Get What You Want - 9. THINKING ALL OVER - Orison Swett Marden (1917)
Published 2 years, 4 months ago
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How To Get What You Want - 9. THINKING ALL OVER - Orison Swett Marden (1917) - HQ Full Book.
In Chapter 9 of How to Get What You Want, titled "THINKING ALL OVER," Orison Swett Marden explores the power of holistic, persistent thought in the pursuit of personal success. This chapter exemplifies Marden’s belief in the transformative strength of the mind and how deep, consistent thinking—about one’s goals, circumstances, values, and methods—can lead to self-mastery and the realization of ambitions.
Marden opens with a critique of the scattered, aimless way many people engage with their thoughts. He emphasizes that merely thinking occasionally or reactively is not sufficient for success. Instead, he champions what he calls "thinking all over"—a full-bodied, all-encompassing engagement of the mind in both conscious and subconscious ways. For Marden, the mind is not a tool to be picked up and put down when convenient; it is a dynamic engine that must be kept running, refined, and directed with intention.
The phrase "thinking all over" doesn’t just refer to quantity of thought, but its quality, breadth, and integration. Marden argues that to truly get what you want out of life, you must think with your whole being. This involves engaging intellect, intuition, emotion, willpower, and even physical habits—all as extensions of one focused inner vision. It’s not just about planning or wishing; it’s about embedding your goals so deeply into your identity that your entire system operates toward their achievement.
He discusses how successful people tend to be thinkers—not necessarily the kind buried in books or theory, but those who live reflectively, always analyzing their experiences, drawing lessons, and aligning their actions with their core aspirations. These individuals are not easily distracted; their thinking is habitual, directional, and often subconscious. Marden points out that great inventors, artists, and leaders have cultivated this kind of holistic thinking where the mind is so absorbed in a purpose that it seems to work even while they sleep or perform unrelated tasks.
A key insight in this chapter is the distinction between passive daydreaming and active, intentional thought. Marden is not advocating idle fantasizing, but rather sustained, effortful mental engagement—what today we might call “deep work” or “mental focus.” This kind of thinking demands discipline and clarity. It requires asking the hard questions: What do I really want? Why do I want it? What are the obstacles? What habits, people, or ideas do I need to incorporate to get there?
He notes that those who “think all over” are always absorbing lessons from their surroundings. Every failure becomes a teacher. Every success is analyzed for patterns. These individuals cultivate a lifelong relationship with thought, using every part of life as a mirror or a stepping stone. In contrast, the average person, he says, allows their mind to drift, consumed with minor details, distractions, or the latest gossip—missing the deeper rhythms of their own desires and capabilities.
Marden also touches on the interplay between thought and character. He insists that a person’s thought habits shape their very nature. Think fearful, limited, negative thoughts and you develop a small, shrinking personality. But cultivate courageous, solution-focused thoughts and you begin to embody strength and optimism. This internal architecture then influences everything—your tone of voice, the energy you bring into a room, the opportunities you attract.
Another major theme is the necessity of mental alignment. Marden explains that many people fail not because they lack talent or opportunity, but because they are divided within themselves. They want success, but deep down they doubt themselves. They try to please others while also trying to fulfill personal dreams. This kind of inner confl
In Chapter 9 of How to Get What You Want, titled "THINKING ALL OVER," Orison Swett Marden explores the power of holistic, persistent thought in the pursuit of personal success. This chapter exemplifies Marden’s belief in the transformative strength of the mind and how deep, consistent thinking—about one’s goals, circumstances, values, and methods—can lead to self-mastery and the realization of ambitions.
Marden opens with a critique of the scattered, aimless way many people engage with their thoughts. He emphasizes that merely thinking occasionally or reactively is not sufficient for success. Instead, he champions what he calls "thinking all over"—a full-bodied, all-encompassing engagement of the mind in both conscious and subconscious ways. For Marden, the mind is not a tool to be picked up and put down when convenient; it is a dynamic engine that must be kept running, refined, and directed with intention.
The phrase "thinking all over" doesn’t just refer to quantity of thought, but its quality, breadth, and integration. Marden argues that to truly get what you want out of life, you must think with your whole being. This involves engaging intellect, intuition, emotion, willpower, and even physical habits—all as extensions of one focused inner vision. It’s not just about planning or wishing; it’s about embedding your goals so deeply into your identity that your entire system operates toward their achievement.
He discusses how successful people tend to be thinkers—not necessarily the kind buried in books or theory, but those who live reflectively, always analyzing their experiences, drawing lessons, and aligning their actions with their core aspirations. These individuals are not easily distracted; their thinking is habitual, directional, and often subconscious. Marden points out that great inventors, artists, and leaders have cultivated this kind of holistic thinking where the mind is so absorbed in a purpose that it seems to work even while they sleep or perform unrelated tasks.
A key insight in this chapter is the distinction between passive daydreaming and active, intentional thought. Marden is not advocating idle fantasizing, but rather sustained, effortful mental engagement—what today we might call “deep work” or “mental focus.” This kind of thinking demands discipline and clarity. It requires asking the hard questions: What do I really want? Why do I want it? What are the obstacles? What habits, people, or ideas do I need to incorporate to get there?
He notes that those who “think all over” are always absorbing lessons from their surroundings. Every failure becomes a teacher. Every success is analyzed for patterns. These individuals cultivate a lifelong relationship with thought, using every part of life as a mirror or a stepping stone. In contrast, the average person, he says, allows their mind to drift, consumed with minor details, distractions, or the latest gossip—missing the deeper rhythms of their own desires and capabilities.
Marden also touches on the interplay between thought and character. He insists that a person’s thought habits shape their very nature. Think fearful, limited, negative thoughts and you develop a small, shrinking personality. But cultivate courageous, solution-focused thoughts and you begin to embody strength and optimism. This internal architecture then influences everything—your tone of voice, the energy you bring into a room, the opportunities you attract.
Another major theme is the necessity of mental alignment. Marden explains that many people fail not because they lack talent or opportunity, but because they are divided within themselves. They want success, but deep down they doubt themselves. They try to please others while also trying to fulfill personal dreams. This kind of inner confl