Book SummaryThe Science of Being Great, by Wallace Wattles

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Science of Being Great

Every person inherently has the potential to achieve greatness.

Wattles argues that every individual has the potential to achieve greatness. He challenges the notion that greatness is reserved for a select few, emphasizing that such a view limits the inherent potential within each person. The book "The Science of Being Great" by Wallace Wattles is founded on this perspective.

Every individual possesses the inherent potential for limitless growth and enhancement of their talents.

Wattles contends that to tap into one's extraordinary capabilities, it is essential to fully understand and apply the foundational concept of inherent potential. This fundamental principle is not merely a concept but a natural power inherent in all individuals, comparable to the omnipresent force of gravity. He maintains that this core tenet propels all progress and evolution, instilling vitality into life with its crucial vigor.

Wattles likens this idea to the organic development seen in plants and the natural progression of forests. While these organisms grow automatically along predetermined lines, humans possess the unique ability to direct their own growth. You possess the innate capability to cultivate any skill and accomplish any objective you are determined to achieve. The only limit to your growth, Wattles argues, is the limit you place on yourself through your beliefs and self-concept.

Every person inherently has the capacity for limitless development and the manifestation of their talents.

Wattles draws a parallel between this idea and the actions of a person who tends a garden, carefully planting assorted bulbs within a pot. To someone unfamiliar, the bulb might appear the same, yet it possesses the potential to unfold into a unique and magnificent flower. Every individual is born into this world endowed with a distinct combination of innate tendencies, skills, and capabilities, akin to bulbs poised to bloom when their moment arrives. He underscores the existence of remarkable potentials in our everyday lives. He emphasizes the conviction that all individuals possess the capacity for greatness, dismissing the idea that "ordinary" people exist.

This potential might not always be immediately apparent, like a "cracker-box loafer" who rises to the occasion in a time of crisis, revealing previously hidden strengths and steadfastness. By purposefully interacting with the fundamental energy, Wattles suggests that an individual can tap into their inherent "genius" and achieve extraordinary things, similar to the way a crisis can unveil concealed abilities. He advocates for discarding any belief in constraints and wholeheartedly accepting the boundless opportunities that lie within an individual.

Practical Tips

• You can discover your innate tendencies by keeping a reaction journal for a month, noting down your immediate feelings and actions in different situations. This will help you...

The Science of Being Great Summary Developing the right mindset and comprehension for achieving greatness.

The author argues that achieving greatness requires more than just raw talent or potential. It demands cultivating a particular mindset and adopting a specific worldview. He underscores the significance of these techniques in his publication known as "The Pathway to Personal Excellence."

The fundamental essence of the world and its residents is recognized as inherently good, despite occasional signs that might imply the contrary.

Wattles advocates for a shift in perspective, prompting you to recognize the ubiquity of virtue throughout the world. He urges you to adopt the appropriate perspective rather than seeing the world as intrinsically defective or tainted. This viewpoint upholds the belief that, notwithstanding visible flaws, the world is steadily advancing towards a condition characterized by enhanced unity and wholeness.

He compared the universe to an evolving masterpiece, where every detail, color, and subtle touch adds significance to the ultimate creation, even though it is unfinished. Just as an artist wouldn't disparage a canvas that is still a work in progress, you should refrain from assessing the world based on its seeming state of unfinishedness.

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The Science of Being Great Summary Specific steps and practices for realizing one's greatness

Wattles details specific methods and exercises to integrate these principles into daily habits, thereby transcending mere concepts of excellence. He urges you to transition from mere contemplation to active execution to fully realize your inherent capabilities.

Adopting a lifestyle that resonates with one's core beliefs and individual perception of truth.

To advance, one must abandon limiting behaviors, beliefs, and actions.

Wattles champions a life committed to maintaining one's most esteemed principles and responding to one's innate sense of morality. He understands the importance of letting go of habits, beliefs, and behaviors that have been long-held or commonly accepted but are no longer advantageous. Commitment to personal development requires relentless self-evaluation and steadfast dedication.

This might mean distancing yourself from negative influences, challenging limiting beliefs, and cultivating new habits that support your growth. This is not about transforming into someone else, but about eliminating the obstacles and self-imposed limitations that prevent you from accessing the greatness that already resides within you. Wattles emphasizes the necessity...

The Science of Being Great Summary The value of continuously striving for personal growth and nurturing beneficial habits and mindsets cannot be overstated.

Wattles underscores the importance of cultivating beneficial routines and harnessing the influence of one's mindset in the pursuit of authentic excellence. He considered the mind to be the primary tool in shaping an individual's existence.

Our thinking has the power to shape our internal experiences as well as our external interactions.

Developing a remarkable character through the practice of reflecting on deep and significant concepts.

Wattles contends that your ideas extend beyond transient notions and actively mold the reality you experience. He underscores the significance of nurturing a mindset focused on profound ethical virtue, pointing out the intrinsic link between our inner thoughts and the experiences we encounter in the outside world. To develop an exceptional character, it's essential to consistently feed the intellect with thoughts of excellence, akin to how a sculptor painstakingly shapes a masterpiece from stone.

He urges deep reflection on the essential realities and universal laws that underpin our existence. The goal is not simply to accumulate knowledge for the sake of expanding one's intellectual prowess, but to integrate these ideas so...

The Science of Being Great Summary Greatness originates from a foundation that is both spiritual and evolutionary in nature.

Wattles places the idea behind "Science of Being Great" within a wider framework that encompasses spirituality and evolution, imparting a sense of significance and value to the journey of personal development.

Exploring the advancement of human potential through the unfolding of societal and spiritual growth.

Humanity's journey towards divinity includes the segment that is an individual's life.

Wattles motivates you to consider your life and the pursuit of your personal best as essential components of the larger narrative – the ongoing evolution of consciousness. He urges you to adopt a perspective that encompasses the whole, recognizing your individual contribution as an essential element in the collective spiritual advancement of humankind.

He perceives your struggles, victories, and changes as elements of a broader evolutionary journey, not just as standalone occurrences. He inspires you to adopt a deeper sense of purpose, recognizing that your actions, choices, and contributions have the potential to influence the collective consciousness, fostering not just your personal development but also the progress of everyone.

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• Create a...