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About the Author
Earl Nightingale (1921-1989) was an American radio personality, motivational speaker, and author. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the self-help and personal development industry.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Nightingale served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II before beginning his career in broadcasting. He became a radio announcer and later a news commentator, eventually hosting his own daily radio program called "Our Changing World."
In 1956, Nightingale recorded a motivational message on a vinyl record called "The Strangest Secret," which went on to sell over a million copies and became the first spoken-word recording to achieve Gold Record status. The message was a simple yet powerful lesson on the importance of setting goals and taking action to achieve them.
Nightingale went on to write and record many more motivational messages, books, and programs throughout his career. He founded the Nightingale-Conant Corporation, which became one of the largest producers and distributors of personal development and motivational materials in the world.
Some of Nightingale's most famous works include "Lead the Field," "The Essence of Success," and "The Magic Word." His messages and teachings continue to inspire and influence millions of people around the world today.
The Strangest Secret
It is considered a classic in the self-help and personal development industry and has inspired millions of people around the world to pursue success and happiness.
The central idea of the message is that we become what we think about. Nightingale argues that most people go through life without a clear sense of purpose or direction because they are not consciously choosing their thoughts. He suggests that if we focus our thoughts on positive and constructive ideas, we can achieve anything we desire.
Nightingale provides practical advice on how to use this "strangest secret" to improve our lives. He suggests that we must first set clear goals and visualize our desired outcome in vivid detail. We must then take action towards our goals, always keeping our thoughts focused on success.
The message was initially recorded as a spoken-word vinyl record and quickly became a best-seller. It has since been adapted into various formats, including books, audio recordings, and videos. It continues to be a popular resource for anyone seeking to improve their mindset and achieve success in their personal and professional lives.
Overall, "The Strangest Secret" is a timeless message that reminds us of the power of our thoughts and encourages us to take control of our lives.
Strangest secret
Have you heard of "The Strangest Secret"? It's the reason why only 5 out of 100 people who start with confidence in success at the age of 25 make it to the age of 65. What happens to their dreams, hopes, and the sparkle in their eyes?
According to Dr. Albert Schweitzer, men do not think at all, and that's precisely what I want to discuss with you. We live in a golden age with endless opportunities for all, yet why do so many people fail to achieve what they set out to do?
By the time these 100 people reach the age of 65, only one will be wealthy, four will be financially independent, 41 will still be working, and 54 will be broke and dependent on others for life's necessities. What happened to their plans and aspirations?
The Definition of success
Let's start by defining success as the progressive attainment of a worthy ideal. It can take the form of a passionate teacher, a successful entrepreneur, or a top-performing salesperson.
Success is only achieved when someone deliberately pursues and reaches their predetermined goal. Unfortunately, only one out of 20 people actually do this.
Most people conform to societal expectations without questioning their purpose or destination. This conformity is the root cause of many failures, known as "The Strangest Secret".
As Rollo May stated in his book "Man's Search for Himself", conformity is the opposite of courage in our society, not cowardice.
While we learn to read by age seven and earn a living by age 30, many of us still struggle to achieve financial independence by age 65, despite living in the most prosperous country in history. The reason for this is conformity. We tend to follow the wrong group, the 95 percent who fail to achieve their goals.
Goals
Have you ever wondered why some people achieve success effortlessly, while others work tirelessly but never make it? The answer lies in their goals.
Successful individuals have a clear sense of direction, while those who fail tend to believe that their lives are shaped by external factors.
This can be compared to a ship on a well-planned voyage, where the captain and crew know where they are headed and how long it will take to get there. Such ships are almost certain to reach their destination.
On the other hand, a ship without any purpose or destination will go nowhere and eventually get lost at sea.
Similarly, human beings also require direction and purpose to achieve success. While society aims to protect its weakest link, it often slows down progress and makes it easier for individuals to settle for a comfortable life.
The key to success and failure lies in having a clear goal and setting the bar high above the plateau of safety. Despite the many disagreements between wise men and philosophers throughout history, this is one point on which they unanimously agree.
We become what we think
"We become what we think about" is a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of our thoughts and their impact on our lives. Our thoughts shape our beliefs, attitudes, and actions, ultimately determining our destiny.
If we constantly dwell on negative thoughts, we will attract negativity into our lives. On the other hand, if we focus on positive thoughts and visualize our desired outcomes, we are more likely to manifest them in reality.
This principle is at the heart of many personal development and success philosophies. It emphasizes the importance of taking control of our thoughts and intentionally directing them towards our goals and aspirations.
In essence, "we become what we think about" highlights the power of our minds and the role they play in shaping our lives. By harnessing this power, we can create the life we truly desire.
As you sow — so shall you reap
The human mind is often compared to a farmer's land because it has the power to choose what it plants. However, the mind does not discriminate between what is planted, and it will return whatever is planted, whether it be success or failure. This is why it is important to choose wisely and plant the right seeds.
Our minds are incredibly powerful and have the ability to manifest our desires and dreams. Unfortunately, we often take our minds for granted because they are given to us for free. However, everything that is truly valuable in life comes to us for free, including our minds, souls, bodies, hopes, dreams, and intelligence.
Our minds have the ability to do any kind of job we assign to them, but we often use them for little jobs instead of big ones. The most important decision we'll ever make in our lives is what we choose to plant in our minds. To achieve our goals, we must think about them in a relaxed, positive way and picture ourselves as having already achieved them.
We are where we are in life because of our thoughts, and what we think today and tomorrow will mold our lives and determine our future. Our minds are like a vast source of energy that we control and direct towards a specific purpose.
The law of success is a double-edged sword, and we must control our thinking to use it for good. Once we decide on a goal to work towards, we become a successful person. We belong to the top five out of every hundred people who know where they're going.
Here are 30-day action ideas to get started:
Day 1: Identify a clear, specific goal that you want to achieve.
Day 2-3: Write down your goal and create a plan of action to achieve it. Break down your plan into small, manageable steps.
Day 4-5: Take action on the first step of your plan.
Day 6-7: Read a positive, motivational book or listen to an inspiring podcast.
Day 8-9: Evaluate your progress and adjust your plan if necessary.
Day 10-11: Visualize yourself achieving your goal. See yourself already there.
Day 12-13: Take action on the next step of your plan.
Day 14-15: Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who will encourage you to achieve your goal.
Day 16-17: Learn something new that will help you achieve your goal.
Day 18-19: Take a break and do something enjoyable that makes you happy.
Day 20-21: Take action on the next step of your plan.
Day 22-23: Overcome any obstacles or challenges that come your way.
Day 24-25: Celebrate your small wins and progress towards your goal.
Day 26-27: Focus on your positive self-talk and eliminate any negative self-talk.
Day 28-29: Take action on the final steps of your plan.
Day 30: Achieve your goal and celebrate your success!
Remember, the key to success is taking consistent action towards your goals and having a positive mindset. By putting the teachings of “The Strangest Secret” into action, you can create the life you truly desire.
Conclusion
"The Strangest Secret" is a powerful message that emphasizes the importance of our thoughts and beliefs in shaping our lives. By changing our mindset and focusing on positive thoughts, we can achieve our goals and create the life we want. We have the power to plant the right seeds in our minds and manifest our desires, but it requires consistent effort and discipline.
The key is to have a clear goal, visualize our success, and take action towards it every day. By following the principles outlined in "The Strangest Secret," we can unlock our full potential and live a fulfilling life.
Short Book Review Of The Strangest Secret
"The Strangest Secret" by Earl Nightingale is a motivational self-help book that was first published in 1957. In the book, Nightingale emphasizes the importance of having a positive mindset and setting clear goals in order to achieve success in life.
The book starts with a simple premise: "We become what we think about." Nightingale explains that our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality, and that if we want to change our lives, we must first change our thinking. He goes on to provide practical advice on how to develop a positive mental attitude, set clear goals, and take action towards achieving those goals.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the idea that success is not a matter of luck or chance, but rather the result of deliberate action and focused thinking. Nightingale argues that anyone can achieve success, regardless of their background or circumstances, as long as they are willing to put in the effort and adopt a positive attitude.
Overall, "The Strangest Secret" is a timeless classic that offers valuable insights and practical advice on how to live a successful and fulfilling life. Its message is just as relevant today as it was when it was first published over 60 years ago.