senior Scoops

My journey with self-help books began in high school. One afternoon, while browsing at the local Waldenbooks, I discovered Maxwell Maltz’s classic “Psycho-Cybernetics.” My fascination with the genre has lasted a lifetime. Since then, I’ve encountered works by Wayne Dyer, Florence Scovel Shinn, and Earl Nightingale—among others. Nightingale took a different approach, moving from the written to spoken word.

Earl Nightingale was a pioneering motivational speaker and author, renowned for his inspiring insights into personal development and success. Born 1921 in Los Angeles, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and later became a prominent voice in radio.

His work

Earl Nightingale is best known for his work “The Strangest Secret,” originally released as a spoken word record in 1956. This recording became incredibly popular, selling over a million copies and earning the first Gold Record for the spoken word.

“The Strangest Secret” revolves around an observation made by Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer: “Men simply don’t think.” Nightingale expands on this idea, explaining that the key to success lies in the power of thought. He argues that we become what we think about — our thoughts shape our lives and determine our success or failure.

Nightingale defines success as the “progressive realization of a worthy ideal”. He emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and working towards them with determination and persistence. He compares individuals with goals to ships with a mapped-out course, while those without direction are hopelessly adrift.

Into Action

One of the most impactful parts of Nightingale’s message is the 30-Day Test. He challenges listeners to focus their thoughts and goals for 30 days, maintaining a positive outlook and visualizing their success. Nightingale believes this practice can transform lives by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones and aligning one’s actions with aspirations.

“The Strangest Secret” aligns with New Age thought, emphasizing the power of positive thinking and the idea that “we become what we think about.” Parallels can be drawn between Nightingale’s philosophy and motivational speakers like Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” and contemporary author of “The Secret.” Rhonda Byrne.

Conclusion

Earl Nightingale’s “The Strangest Secret” teaches that success is not just about achieving financial independence but realizing a worthy ideal. When harnessing the power of thought and maintaining positive mindset, individuals can overcome any obstacle and realize their dreams.

“The Strangest Secret” can be found on Spotify, YouTube, or most places where podcasts are available. The recording lasts about a half hour.

Please leave a comment so I can get your thoughts. If this resonated in any way consider sharing it with your online community.

I write short snapshots of people, events, and brands that have shaped our culture. If you would like my thoughts delivered directly to your inbox visit my homepage and sign up.