THE STRANGEST SECRET
The Strangest Secret is strange indeed, shared quietly amongst knowing entrepreneurs for decades. I first heard of it late last year during a meeting with successful business owners. They mentioned it in passing, and then declared how it’s changed their lives and those around them. If you haven’t heard of The Strangest Secret, you’ll be glad you finally did. Just be sure to pay it forward.
Say Hello to the “Dean of Personal Development”
The Strangest Secret is a 1956 recording by the “Dean of Personal Development” Earl Nightingale. He recorded the talk for a small group of salesmen as he couldn’t make it to a meeting one Saturday morning. The group was immensely inspired, and they requested copies for family and friends. And the requests kept pouring in, to the point Nightingale made arrangements to press album copies. “The Strangest Secret” quickly became the first spoken-word album to go Gold — yes, 1 million copies sold with virtually no promotions.
Nightingale went on to publish other successful works and hosted a highly popular, globally syndicated radio show. However, I want to spread this particular gem as everyone I’ve shared it with so far (even self-professed jaded individuals) have found profound meaning and value in his words. Many, like me, download the podcast and play it in the car habitually to stay focused and remain on the path of success.
Words of Wisdom
Here’s the script that spawned the entire development industry, across Canada and the US, and from the West Indies to South Africa. Remember, this was recorded back in the 1950s, so you’ll need to overlook some references to dated gender roles. Without further ado, enjoy…
“I’d like you tell you about the strangest secret in the world. Not long ago, Albert Schweitzer, the great Doctor and Nobel Prize winner was being interviewed in London and a reporter asked him, ‘Doctor, what’s wrong with men today?’ The great doctor was silent a moment, and then he said, ‘Men simply don’t think!’ And it’s about this that I want to talk with you.
“We live today in a golden age. This is an era that man has looked forward, dreamed of, and worked toward for thousands of years. But since it’s here, we pretty well take it for granted. We in America are particularly fortunate to live in the richest land that ever existed on the face of the earth — a land of abundant opportunity for everyone.
“But do you know what happens?” asks Nightingale, setting the stage for a dose of reality.
“Let’s take 100 men who start even at the age of 25. Do you have any idea what will happen to those men by the time they are 65? These 100 men who all start even at the age of 25 believe they’re going to be successful. If you asked any one of these men if he wanted to be a success, he’d tell you that he did, and you’d notice that he was eager toward life; that there was a certain sparkle to his eye, an erectness to his carriage, and life seemed like a pretty interesting adventure to him.
“But by the time they’re 65:
One will be rich;
Four will be financially independent;
Five will still be working;
54 will be broke.
Read the entire article on my blog: https://blog.webcopyplus.com/2017/09/05/the-strangest-secret/