This book is more than just a motivational book. It is a source of wisdom, illustrating persistence, growth, kindness, and faith. Dr. Ben Carson, a respected neurosurgeon, shares his journey from a struggling student to one of the most respected doctors in his field. It offers valuable lessons on success, resilience, learning, and character.
You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’. A few months ago, my girlfriend recommended this book to me. I usually follow recommendations, but this time, I hesitated. I didn’t like the cover, so I set it aside, letting it gather dust (no joke).
One day, out of boredom, I finally picked it up and I couldn’t put it down. I’m always looking to improve my thinking, discipline, and approach to challenges and this book delivered. Dr. Carson offers more than motivation. He shares practical wisdom from his own struggles, showing how challenges can become strengths. Through his experiences and the principles he outlines, Carson presents a blueprint for achieving excellence in any field.
Key Lessons
One of the most important messages in the book is the power of believing in yourself. Early in the book, Dr. Carson, reflects on his struggles as a young student and the mindset that held him back. He then describes the process that transformed his mindset and led him to become a doctor. He proves that with the right mindset, motivation, determination, and hard work, anyone can achieve success and excellence.
The importance of knowledge is another key message in the book. Carson’s mother played a crucial role in his development by requiring him and his brother to read 2 books a week. In time, this became a routine and Carson realised how books expanded his mind and led him to opportunities and success. Although I knew that knowledge is power, the way Dr. Carson refers to it made me reflect on my perspective on knowledge and reading.
When reading the book, you may miss another key lesson, which is persistence and discipline. This particular message is subtle, but if you also watch the movie, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, you will have a visual representation of what it means to persist in difficult situations. It made me realise that I need to work on this aspect, as I tend to give up sometimes.
Building a strong character and combining it with kindness is another interesting aspect of this book. Knowledge could give you the “power” to succeed in any field. However, if your character stinks then you will probably be pushed aside by many people. Carson learned this lesson early in his life, when he was disliked by his classmates because he was showing off by providing too much information. His attitude changed when he almost killed one of his friends. This particular part made me reflect on my past experiences, and I realised that I could have handled some situations better.
That day, when he injured his friend, Carson not only changed his character, but he also turned to faith. It was a belief that helped him from that day onwards and probably to this day. His faith in God made him strive in difficult situations and allowed him to not question certain scenarios where he didn’t have a rational answer. Religion is a sensitive topic to me because I always try to explain why things happen the way they do. The way Carson explained his belief in God was a breath of fresh air to me, a new perspective which I liked.
The acronym THINK BIG stands for:
Talent: Recognize and develop your God-given talents.
Honesty: Be honest with yourself and others.
Insight: Gain understanding and wisdom through learning and experiences.
Niceness: Treat others with kindness and respect.
Knowledge: Continually seek knowledge and education.
Books: Read extensively to expand your horizons.
In-Depth Learning: Delve deeply into subjects to master them.
God: Maintain faith and seek divine guidance.
The doctor explains every single aspect of the “framework” in detail. He writes about how each aspect helped him or others in various situations, and, in short, they mean exactly what they are. (Talent, Honesty, Insight, Niceness, Knowledge, Books, In-Depth-Learning and God).
Personal Reflection:
Reading Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence by Dr. Ben Carson was an eye-opening experience for me. Initially, I judged the book by its cover and hesitated to read it. However, once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Carson’s journey from struggle to success, combined with his wisdom on mindset, discipline, and faith, left a lasting impression on me.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the power of belief. Carson’s transformation from an underperforming student to a neurosurgeon reinforced the idea that success is rooted in self-confidence, discipline, and perseverance. His mother’s insistence on reading two books a week made me reflect on my own learning habits. While I’ve always valued knowledge, Carson’s perspective made me realize that I can do more to actively seek and apply what I learn.
Another aspect that resonated with me was persistence. I’ve noticed that I sometimes give up too easily when things become challenging. Seeing how Carson overcame setbacks, both in academics and in life, made me reflect on my own resilience. It reminded me that real success comes not from avoiding difficulties but from pushing through them.
Character and kindness were also key themes that made me think about my own interactions with others. Carson’s realization that intelligence alone isn’t enough and that humility and kindness matter just as much, it was an important lesson. It made me reconsider some past situations where I could have handled things better.
Faith was perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book for me. I often struggle with understanding why certain things happen, and Carson’s perspective on faith provided a fresh perspective. His ability to rely on faith in times of uncertainty was something I found both inspiring and challenging.
Overall, this book reinforced many of my beliefs, particularly about honesty, kindness, and the importance of continuous learning. It also pushed me to think about areas where I can improve my persistence, my faith, and my discipline in acquiring knowledge. Reading Think Big wasn’t just informative, it was a great experience that encouraged me to take action in my own life.
Conclusion
Think Big is more than just a motivational book, it is a guide to discipline, persistence, and self-improvement. Dr. Ben Carson’s journey from struggle to success serves as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, hard work, and faith, we can achieve excellence in any field. The lessons on belief, learning, character, and resilience resonated deeply with me, pushing me to reflect on my own growth. This book didn’t just inspire me, it challenged me to take action. I highly recommend it to anyone.