He Can Who Thinks He Can - 2. GETTING AROUSED - Orison Swett Marden (1908)

HE CAN WHO THINKS HE CAN: The Power of Belief in Achieving Success - Orison Swett Marden (1908) - HQ Full Book. "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right." ― Henry FordChapter 2: Getting Aroused – A Call to Wake Up Your Dormant PowerIn Chapter 2: Getting Aroused, Orison Swett Marden delivers a compelling wake-up call to the reader. The title itself is a metaphor for personal awakening—an inner stirring that rouses us from a life of passivity, mediocrity, and self-doubt. Marden argues that greatness begins the moment a man or woman becomes “aroused” in mind and spirit. This chapter is about igniting the spark within—the essential internal awakening that must happen before any lasting success or transformation can occur. Marden believed that most people fail not because they lack talent, opportunity, or intelligence, but because they never fully wake up to their own potential. They drift through life in a daze, waiting for something to happen, hoping for a break, or making excuses for their inertia. The tragedy, Marden says, is not in failure itself but in never starting—never feeling that inner call to rise and do something meaningful.  The Lethargy of the Average ManAt the heart of this chapter is a sharp critique of mental laziness. Marden paints a picture of the average person who trudges through life in a half-awake state, content with routine, afraid of challenge, and lulled into comfort by familiarity. This person is “asleep at the wheel” of life—not because he wants to fail, but because he has not yet been aroused to action by a compelling vision or a deep conviction. The author warns that this lethargy is a silent killer of dreams. He doesn’t mince words—if you’re coasting, procrastinating, or waiting for permission to be great, you are already falling behind. To Marden, mediocrity is not a matter of fate; it is a condition we choose when we refuse to rise. He challenges the reader to examine his or her own life: Are you truly awake? Are you pursuing your potential with all your might, or are you sleepwalking through your best years?  The Moment Everything ChangesMarden emphasizes that one decisive moment of awakening can change everything. There comes a time in a person’s life—often spurred by disappointment, challenge, or even humiliation—when something deep within says, “Enough!” This is the moment of being aroused. It is not always loud or dramatic; sometimes it’s a quiet, resolute shift. But once it happens, nothing remains the same. He uses examples of famous figures who lived for years in obscurity or failure before they were “aroused” to their purpose. These individuals did not possess extraordinary advantages. What made them rise was an internal revolution—a moment when they stopped making excuses and decided to take full ownership of their lives.  Awakening the WillA major theme of this chapter is the power of the will. Marden believed that the will is the hinge upon which character swings. When we are aroused in mind and spirit, our will springs into action. We stop tolerating half-effort. We stop waiting for others to save us. The will becomes focused, fierce, and full of resolve. He urges readers to stop blaming external circumstances. Poverty, lack of education, bad luck—these are not the real obstacles. The real enemy is the inner slumber, the lack of drive, the absence of fire. When the will is awakened, we can overcome even the harshest barriers. Without it, even privilege and talent go to waste.  Inspiration and Self-DeterminationMarden calls upon us to seek inspiration—not from fleeting sources like applause or praise, but from deep within ourselves. He believed that the people who make a difference in the world are those who are self-starting. They do not wait for conditions to be perfect. They create their own momentum by stirring up the energy of their own being. One of the most memorable takeaways from this chapter is that we each have a “sleeping giant” within us—a reservoir of untapped potential, drive, and intelligence. But the giant only awakens when we do. That inner power will lie dormant unless we summon it by strong desire and determined action.   How to Get Aroused Marden doesn’t leave the reader without practical advice. He offers a few timeless strategies for awakening the dormant self:Feed your mind with great thoughts. Read biographies of men and women who overcame odds. Fill your mental diet with stories that stir your soul.Set yourself a big goal. Nothing arouses the spirit like a mighty purpose. Dream something so compelling that it pulls you out of bed in the morning.Take action—even small action. Nothing kills inertia like motion. As soon as you begin doing, you start believing.Surround yourself with driven people. Energy is contagious. Seek out those who are already aroused and passionate about life.Practice mental and moral discipline. Control your thoughts, resist distractions, and demand excellence of yourself in every area. The Fire Within Ultimately, Getting Aroused is a plea for readers to stop living on autopilot. Marden’s message is electrifying: You don’t need someone else’s permission to be great. You don’t need ideal circumstances. You need only one thing—to wake up. Once you are awakened to your power and your responsibility, you become unstoppable. Marden’s language is forceful but never discouraging. He believed deeply in the potential of every person who picked up his book. His words are designed to shake the reader out of comfort and mediocrity—not with shame, but with hope. He reminds us that history is full of ordinary people who did extraordinary things simply because they got aroused—they tapped into their internal fire and refused to settle for anything less than a fully lived life.  Relevance TodayMore than a century later, this chapter still resonates. In an age of distraction, doubt, and burnout, Marden’s call to get aroused feels more vital than ever. We may have more technology and knowledge at our fingertips, but the essential challenge remains: to summon the inner energy, purpose, and discipline to shape our own destiny. Getting Aroused isn’t just about motivation. It’s about spiritual and mental awakening. It’s about reclaiming your agency and stepping into the full stature of your potential. Marden’s timeless message still rings clear: “The moment you awaken and believe, the impossible becomes possible.”    #HeCanWhoThinksHeCan #OrisonSwettMarden #BelieveInYourself #PositiveThinking #SelfEmpowerment #Motivation #MindsetMatters #SuccessMindset #SelfBelief #Inspiration #PersonalGrowth #AchieveYourDreams #DreamBig #PositiveAttitude #SelfConfidence #InnerStrength #Perseverance #SelfDevelopment #Optimism #NeverGiveUp