“It means asking the questions that are hard to answer: Where am I going? Why am I going there? What do I really want, and why do I want it? Am I gradually realizing my potential? Am I discovering my best talents and abilities and using them to their fullest? Am I living fully extended in my one chance at life on earth? Am I really living? Who am I?
These are the questions everyone must ask himself and answer… So the person who knows what he wants—knows what he must become, and he then fixes his attention on the preparation and development of himself. As he grows toward the ideal he holds in his mind, he finds interest, zest and joy on the journey. He looks forward to tomorrow, but he also enjoys today, for it is the tomorrow he looked forward to yesterday. He knows that if he cannot find meaning and value in the present, he will very likely be missing it in his future. Today is the future of five years ago. Are you enjoying it as much as you thought you would? Have you progressed to the point you wanted then to reach?
These are the questions that make us think.”
~ Earl Nightingale from The Essence of Success
This is the third Note we’ve done on Earl Nightingale.
Just like The Strangest Secret in the World and Lead the Field, this book is a transcription of Nightingale’s talks.
In fact, this little book features the distillation of 720 (!) hours of recordings! It’s kind of like the greatest hits collection. The editors pulled out the themes that Nightingale came back to again and again—ranging from attitude, excellence, and courage to self-esteem, creativity, goal setting, and happiness.
It is truly packed with old-school wisdom.
I’m excited to explore a handful of my favorite Big Ideas so let’s jump straight in!
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