Did you ever read something more than once? Why did you do it? Excitement, curiosity, knowledge, insights, connection, or the quest to understand the real meaning behind the words. We all do it for various reasons.
I found myself repeatedly reading the 12 ideas in “Lead the Field” by Earl Nightingale, the man who became known as the dean of personal development. Why were writings penned over 70 years ago having such a profound impact on me? I felt like Bastian in the Never Ending Story.
After serving in the U.S. Marines during World War II, Earl Nightingale became a well-known broadcast personality and, over the years, authored more than 7,000 radio and television commentaries, as well as numerous audio and video programs and two best-selling books. For his many achievements as an entrepreneur, writer, public speaker, recording artist, and radio and television commentator, he won several awards, including a gold record for “The Strangest Secret” LP, for sales exceeding a million copies; the Golden Gavel Award from Toastmasters International; the Napoleon Hill Foundation Gold Medal Award for literary excellence; and he was inducted into the International Speakers Hall of Fame and the Radio Hall of Fame. (source)
These 12 ideas have transcended the decades. For those who have embarked on a personal development journey, you will recognize a lot of his ideas in more recent teachings in the self-help space. I’ve selected six of the ideas from Nightingale’s 12. Now, let’s get started.
1. The Magic Word
I begin each day with a morning routine. This routine was devised during Covid-19 lockdown when the World was at a stand-still. Now as we ease out of restrictions, and some type of normality (whatever that is) returns I have not deviated from the routine. Why? I could give you a whole list of bull shit words that would mean nothing. The one word you will all understand is: “Attitude”
Our attitude directs our life. Simple. You know when your attitude stinks. The misdirection, distractions, withdrawal, and frustration start to dominate your thoughts. How do you shift your attitude when feeling like this? Smile, get involved, be an enthusiast, and react oppositely. Others respond to how you communicate verbally/non-verbal. What energy are you promoting? Attitude wins in every situation. Be mindful of how you manage yours.
“A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change.” –Earl Nightingale-
2. A Worthy Destination
What gets you out of bed in the morning? I know most of you will say; “because I have to”. Life determines the myriad of reasons why you must get up at a certain hour. I don’t need to list all the reasons. I can only communicate what gets me out of bed at 5.15 am daily. Not a lot of people across the world do this. What? Set goals. Research tells us around 92% of New Year’s resolutions are ended by 15th January. (source)
So, why do it? I have goals in numerous areas: health, fitness, wellbeing, self-development, writing, and purpose (Fuck, that’s deep). The daily routine enables me to tackle these goals. I do it every day as it’s now a habit. I needed to change thoughts, behaviors, and actions to copper fasten this process. Was it difficult? Of course. That’s why the facts on goals are so alarming. The real question is this: “how willing are you to change”?
Goals help you set direction, become persistent towards action, and help generate feelings of accomplishment when you reach them. Growth equals progress. Time to start writing down what you want to achieve, and commit to owning them. Full accountability.
3. Miracle of Your Mind
There have been enormous leaps in Psychology during the 21st century. What makes some people successful, while others are trudging endlessly through swamps, with no end in sight? The beliefs you hold about yourself, and the world in which you live, play a significant part in how you develop. Research studies will show us the difference between a fixed and growth mindset. Review the work of Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck.
How can someone faced with some of life’s most difficult challenges transform their situation? What do they do differently? Why do they do it? What’s the alternative? We all need to act to reframe adversity into learning and opportunities.
As humans, we seek connection and new ideas. We are built to adapt, problem-solve and test our limits. Yet we wait until a global crisis forces us into action. I was guilty of this also until I got my head out of my ass. Don’t accept your situation if you’re not happy. Who do you want to meet when you leave the stage? The man you could have been? Regret is a powerful feeling. The choice is yours.
4. Destiny in the Balance
When was the last time you assisted someone? Now I’m not talking about donating to your nearest church or food bank. We can do this whenever we wish. How do you show up, offer warmth, kindness, and generosity in servitude to others? That’s why we’re here after all. Are you grateful for the life you have? What are you grateful for?
These are deep questions that punctuate your very being. There are always others who are experiencing situations more severe than you. You know who they are. What have you done to assist them? Is community spirit still alive and well?
I can only speak from the communities I grew up within. These were communities engulfed with poverty and still are today. They are the forgotten families when economic growth is peaking. How can that be? I could go off in a whole other direction at this point. That’s the activist in me. But back to balance.
How willing are you to make a difference in someone’s life? You don’t need unlimited access to wealth to do it either. What skills, gifts, and experiences do you possess? Can your network assist? Remember a kind word, smile, or showing compassion can make someone’s day.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive- to breathe, to enjoy to think, and to love” –Marcus Aurelius-
5. Today’s Greatest Adventure
Our most precious commodity, and one that we all tend to waste. Time. How do you engineer yours? The time it took to read that last sentence in the past. This sentence is the present, and where life is to be lived. Moment by moment. You can plan, but can’t predict the future. So why do we not appreciate the present? There is always something pulling at us. The kids, boss, partner, or any other mini-crisis, that you can think of. How can you experience the world around you constantly trapped in minutiae? Take time out to reflect each day on what you do have. Don’t waste energy on activities not serving you.
6. The Person on the White Horse
Apologies there is no white knight in this ending. You are the solution to all your problems. How can you inspire others with your story, lived experiences, and knowledge? How many online businesses emerged during Covid-19? How many had to pivot to survive? The sheer volume of courses, online training, coaching, and all matter of new ways of connecting people with services literally went viral.
Press a button on a phone, and you can have anything delivered to your home. Instant gratification. Does this lend itself to commitment, perseverance, congruency, and work ethic?
Nightingale was a firm proponent of continued self-development. Learning should always be pursued as we write new chapters in our lives. It is paramount to learn new skills, access information, education, and equip yourself with the best tools for your survival. Oh, wait. Covid-19. How can you develop what Nightingale coins: “The security that lasts a lifetime”
You are, at this moment, standing, right in the middle of your own acres of diamonds.
~~ Earl Nightingale
Do you want to know the other six of Nightingale’s 12 ideas? Use the Google search engine, and go review the published work. There is real knowledge to be found when you unearth the diamonds.
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