25-Word Summary: The Strangest Secret explains why men today don’t think while in history’s greatest period of growth. With opportunities abound, only 5% make it.
The Strangest Secret Earl Nightingale Book Summary
Need a quick read on a Sunday afternoon? Then you need to read The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale.
In just 30 minutes you can finish this cover to cover. My book summary is slightly less at just 2 minutes.
Regardless, this is a timeless classic in the personal development space. It’s right up there with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and the less popular book, The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles. These were pioneers at a time when content lived only in print media.
As with any book that I review on the blog, I like to share 3 core concepts:
1. We’re surrounded by opportunities, yet so few take action
The title is The Strangest Secret. So what is the secret? That man (and woman) today, despite being surrounded by opportunities that have taken thousands of years to come to fruition, still choose to resort to comfort.
Comfort based on fears, insecurities or quite often, mere laziness. ‘The good life’ is now being enjoyed by much of the western world with little desire to really climb.
While published in 1956, just 11 years after WW2 finished, it does feel like Earl Nightingale wrote it for modern-day readers. With the internet providing ample opportunities, many are still reluctant to take a step forward.
2. Of those that say yes, very few make it
That’s a hard swallow for many to follow. In the famous words of Seth Godin “This might not work”. That is – the struggle and challenges are guaranteed while success may never eventuate.
Very few make it to the finish line for a variety of reasons. More than often, this begins in the mind. Respectfully, at this time, challenges are based on economic conditions beyond the control of many business owners.
Entrepreneurship is tough. Of those who jump on the train, many will quickly jump off. Producing consistently over time requires solid planting of the mind.
3. Plant your seed and water it often
Starting today, if this journey is for you, then you should plant your seed. For many, that’s an online business that creates cash flow and capital growth.
In my opinion, any seed you plant should be something that you’re genuinely passionate towards and one which can positively influence the lives in the world. It should be value-driven initially, not profit-driven.
Because if you do, according to The Strangest Secret, you too can have the floodgates of abundance opening up. That is – success, money, peace and calmness and not necessarily in that order.
But planting that seed is only part of the process. You need to water it. You can’t see the seed, but you still need to water it consistently. For me, that’s through executing every single day.
6 tips from The Strangest Secret
I loved reading this book which took just 28 minutes. The book closes with the following tips:
- Set yourself achievable goals
- Stop knocking yourself down
- Avoid the never-ending excuses
- Trace your thoughts to your childhood
- Describe who you want to be like
- Act the part and show up every day
As I’ve studied hundreds of personal development books over the last 10+ years, the same advice keeps showing up. It’s remarkable that Earl Nightingale wrote this more than 70 years ago which was a big influence on Bob Proctor.
In summary
Today there are opportunities surrounding us. However, there are also challenges in the world which are causing angst among many people.
Start today, because if you’re starting from zero, then you have nothing to lose.
