Earl Nightingale’s “Lead the Field” is a motivational audio program where he presents many life-enhancing ideas. As there are numerous insights across the entire program, I will summarize what is generally considered his twelve key principles:
- The Magic Word (Attitude): Nightingale proposes that one’s attitude toward life determines life’s attitude toward them. To achieve success, one should have a positive outlook, have high expectations, and be willing to work towards one’s goals.
- Acres of Diamonds (Opportunities): One doesn’t need to search far and wide for the opportunity; it exists in one’s own backyard. Nightingale suggests focusing on one’s immediate environment and extracting value from their present circumstances.
- A Worthy Destination (Goals): Nightingale emphasizes the importance of having clearly defined goals. Just as a ship needs a set course to arrive at a destination, people need goals to guide their actions and provide a sense of direction.
- Miracle of Your Mind (Thoughts): Our thoughts shape our lives. By choosing to focus on positive, empowering thoughts, we can influence the trajectory of our lives in a positive manner.
- Destination Success (Success Principles): Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. This means that success is not a destination, but a journey where one keeps progressing towards one’s goals.
- Seeds For Achievement (Personal Development): This principle emphasizes personal development. Nightingale suggests we could shape our own lives by constantly learning and improving our skills and abilities.
- It’s Easier To Win (Desire and Persistence): Nightingale talks about the power of desire and persistence. When a person has a burning desire for something and persists despite obstacles, they can achieve extraordinary things.
- The Strangest Secret (Belief): “We become what we think about.” This principle highlights the power of belief and the self-fulfilling prophecy. If one truly believes they can achieve something, their actions will align accordingly, leading them towards their goal.
- The Boss (Leadership): This principle focuses on leadership and the traits of effective leaders. It stresses qualities like understanding, integrity, and the ability to inspire others.
- How To Get and Keep Money (Wealth Building): Nightingale discusses practical principles about wealth building, emphasizing that wealth should not be an end, but a means to improve one’s life and the lives of those around them.
- Learn and Live (Lifelong Learning): This principle underlines the importance of lifelong learning. Nightingale encourages embracing curiosity and a love for knowledge as crucial parts of personal growth.
- The Fog (Risk and Fear): Finally, Nightingale talks about risk and fear. He asserts that fear often holds people back from pursuing their dreams and that taking calculated risks is a necessary part of success.
Remember, these principles require action. Knowing them is a start, but applying them consistently in your life is the true key to success. However you define success for yourself.