This was a Big Deal to me! (Still is)

When I was 26 years old, I bought the Earl Nightingale motivational audio library. At the time I worked as a clerk in a government agency, Urban Renewal. My salary was $525 a month and I was newly married with a baby at home and no college degree. I expected a very ordinary life. 

Then I heard The Dean of Personal Motivation, Earl Nightingale, on the radio and his inspiration caused me to completely rethink my life path. He inspired me and motivated me. I wanted to do what he did, but I didn’t know anything about that. So, I became a fanatical student of personal development and spent $560 to buy his entire set of motivational recordings. I needed to work out a payment plan, so I did. 

Daily I listened to his recordings, over and over. I played them in the car, in the house, while grilling burgers or working in the yard. Every day, no exceptions. Truly fanatical commitment. 

Slowly my worldview evolved. I started to notice opportunities I had never seen before. I became more positive in my language, more optimistic about everything. I looked for ways to be of value to others, even if only through a simple compliment. People began to react to me better and new friendships emerged. Old patterns and unhealthy habits faded away. 

I wanted to do what Earl Nightingale did. I wanted to help people grow. That became my motto “Helping People Grow.” I signed my letters “In the Spirit of Growth”. I chose an acorn as my symbol of potential. 

At first all I did was read and listen to recordings, then I joined the Jaycees and became active in community service projects. They had a leadership training program called “Leadership in Action”. I volunteered to lead it. After several programs it was obvious that I had found my new path. In the years of 1983 & 84 I led 400 programs for the Jaycees all over the state of Arkansas for free, no pay, no expense fund, just driving all over and leading meetings. 

I left the urban renewal agency and became a salesperson offering Earl Nightingale’s recordings to businesses door-to-door. Then the US Jaycees HQ in Tulsa, Oklahoma hired me as the National Program Manager of Individual Development programs for all 356,000 of their members! My dreams were coming true! 

I was writing training manuals, flying all over the USA giving convention speeches and teaching others how to set goals, give speeches, lead meetings, and organize projects. I was in heaven! 

After two years there, I opened my own business as a speaker, trainer and consultant. Eventually moved to California to join a college professor, Dr. Tony Alessandra in a partnership based in La Jolla. We recorded an audio album on personality types, the first widely published album on that subject anywhere in the USA. 

One day in 1984, while sitting in my La Jolla office I got a phone call from Earl Nightingale! He wanted to publish our album. Whaaat??? 

Yes, my motivation hero had read an article of ours and his company Nightingale Conant Corporation soon published our album. In the years 1984 & 85 they sold $3.5 Million dollars worth of that album.  I had reached my dream goal. I was not only doing what Earl Nightingale does, he was selling my album! 

They sent me the coffee mug pictured here. “Nightingale Conant Author”. It was a monumental breakthrough moment for me. And, it was proof that even an ordinary “nobody” at the Housing Authority in Little Rock, Arkansas could ultimately reach their highest dream. 

As of today, I have been a professional speaker for over 50 years, delivered 3,500 paid convention speeches, authored 28 books, been hired to speak in all 50 US states, across Canada and around the world, including 25 major cities in China. 

As president of the National Speakers Association in 1989, I invited Earl Nightingale to join me on stage at our national convention. He agreed to do so but passed away a few months before the event. His widow, Diana, called me and asked if she could hold a memorial for Earl at our speakers convention. We agreed and were honored to do so. Then she said she’d like for me to speak there. I demurred, “No, I’m not worthy. This should be world leaders, not me.” She replied, “Jim, you are a product of what Earl taught. You’re the perfect person to speak there.” 

At the memorial for Earl in Dallas during the 1989 National Speakers Association convention there were only two speakers on the platform, his widow Diana, and me, his student. With Earl’s son in the audience and other notables like Zig Ziglar, this was one of the great honors of my lifetime. 

I continue to be inspired by the voice and messages of Earl. Coincidentally, my father’s name was Earl. If you haven’t listened to The Strangest Secret or Lead The Field, get a copy today, or find it on YouTube. Your will be inspired like I was. 

In the Spirit of Growth, 

Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE