“The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfillment.” – Earl Nightingale
I’m guessing that by now you’ve heard of the movie “The Secret”. Millions of people (including me) had watched it before Larry King and Oprah got a hold of it, but since it has been discussed on those shows, it seems everyone has seen, or at least heard of it. Could be coincidence or it could be the Oprah factor, but I’ve had several people (including the guy who cuts my hair) bring it up in the past few weeks asking if I’d seen it and what my opinion was about it.
I’ve had people tell me that it is the greatest thing ever and will change your life (the hair guy), that it is only about greedy people and money, and that it is all just a pile of crap designed to sell DVDs. This despite the fact that I can honestly say that I’ve never asked anyone their opinion on it, because I honestly don’t care. I watched the movie so I could form my own opinion based on the content, not based on what others think. But, for whatever reason, some people seem to care what I think about it, so here you go.
To me, that quote from Earl Nightingale above sums up what the message of The Secret (along with Dax Moy’s Magic 100) is. I personally didn’t see it as being based in greed or selfishness, although for some, the goal can certainly be to make more money. Nothing wrong with that. For others, the goal can be to be a better Christian, or Jew, or Muslim, or whatever. Again, nothing wrong with that either. It can be to be a better person, a more giving person, a better parent, a better son/daughter, a healthier, thinner individual, whatever.
The point is about developing a positive mindset, with a focus on your goals. Too many people focus on what they DON’T want: I hate my job, I don’t have enough money, I’m too fat, my marriage sucks, etc.
Dwelling on your miserable job does not help you to get out of the situation. In fact, it probably makes it worse because you will come up with reasons to miss work more often, just to avoid the negative. Dreading going home because things are rough in your marriage doesn’t address the problem, it exacerbates it. For example, you stay later at work to avoid the problem, which then just grows worse. Beating yourself up about your weight just continues to eat at your self-confidence.
If you focus your energy on what you DO want (I want a job doing X, I want to be able to afford a new car, I want to fit into this dress by this date, I want to be a better husband, etc), then you will ACT in a way that will help you to get closer to those goals. You are creating a mindset that helps you to focus on doing those things that will help you to create a positive experience in some or all areas of your life, whatever areas those may be. Do I believe this positive mindset guarantees me that I will reach my goals? Of course not, but it certainly gives me a better chance of reaching them than those who choose to focus on the negative.
I know there are plenty of people (some rational, some nutjobs) on the internet and elsewhere spouting the argument that “victims of tragedy (9/11, Columbine, Katrina, Darfur, etc.) would have still been victims if they believed in The Secret. All of the positive thinking in the world wouldn’t have saved them, therefore The Secret doesn’t work”. Well, they are probably right in that they wouldn’t have been saved. Bad stuff happens.
But, that argument is too simplistic a way to dismiss something. On that rationale, I can take the work of any self-help author, motivational leader, spiritual leader, fitness pro, engineer, you name it, and find a situation where their work or teachings did not work or apply. Does that mean their entire body of work has no merit? Of course not. Same thing with The Secret.
So, there you go. That is how I saw the message of The Secret. Greatest thing in the world? No. All about greed and money? No. Pile of crap? No. Slightly over the top? Yes. Make a lot of sense? Yes.
That is my opinion. Please don’t form your opinion based on this. If you care to have an opinion on the movie, watch it and form your own. I promise not to ask you what it is.
About the Author
Dave Soucy is a coach, trainer, motivator, husband, dad, and former fat guy. His goal is to teach as many people as possible how to achieve a life of health, fitness, and wellness through simply eating right and exercising. Click here to learn more about Dave.
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