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 conflict leads to scattered energy and diluted efforts. “Thinking all over,” in Marden’s terms, means resolving those inner tensions—aligning thought, emotion, and purpose until the entire being is oriented in one clear direction.  

He encourages the reader to examine what they dwell on most. Are you thinking about your limitations or your possibilities? Are your thoughts expansive or restrictive? Marden asserts that we become what we habitually think. By changing our dominant thoughts, we can literally reprogram our lives. The mind, he argues, is like a garden—it will grow weeds or flowers depending on how it is tended. “Thinking all over” is essentially the cultivation of a rich, intentional mental ecosystem.  

Importantly, Marden addresses the power of subconscious thought. Long before the modern wave of neuroscience or self-help discussions around the subconscious mind, Marden recognizes that what we plant deeply within our minds—through repetition, emotion, and belief—eventually bears fruit in our reality. If we can get our subconscious “on board” with our conscious goals, we unlock a level of power and creativity that feels almost magical. He describes this as “thinking beneath the surface”—the mind working in the background, solving problems, creating connections, even while we sleep. The chapter closes with a call to action. Marden doesn’t want readers to simply understand the concept; he urges them to live it. He suggests exercises like reflective journaling, mental rehearsal, affirmation, and strategic solitude. He believes that by committing to deeper, fuller thinking, anyone can break out of mediocrity and move toward greatness.  

In summary, “THINKING ALL OVER” is a passionate appeal for self-mastery through intentional thought. Marden teaches that greatness begins in the mind, and that consistent, holistic thinking is the first and most powerful step toward achieving any goal. This chapter, like much of Marden’s work, blends philosophy, psychology, and moral clarity, offering timeless wisdom that remains deeply relevant over a century after it was first written.    

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