Who is the author of The Miracle Equation?

The author of The Miracle Equation is Hal Elrod.

Personal Development

The Miracle Equation Book Summary - The Miracle Equation Book explained in key points

Listen to the Intro

00:00

The Miracle Equation summary

Name: The Miracle Equation
Rating: 4.3 (282 reviews)
Author: Hal Elrod

Hal Elrod

The Two Decisions that Move Your Biggest Goals from Possible, to Probable, to Inevitable

4.3 (282 ratings)

23 mins

Brief summary

The Miracle Equation by Hal Elrod explores the formula for creating extraordinary results in your life. By combining unwavering faith with extraordinary effort, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our biggest goals.

Topics

Goals Success

Table of Contents

The Miracle Equation
Summary of 8 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 8

What’s in it for me? A DIY miracle-making guide.

There’s no two ways about it: dedicating time to self-improvement is deeply rewarding. But is it enough? Self-professed personal development devotee Hal Elrod isn’t so sure. After all, you can meditate, read and work out every day, and then . . . do nothing. Sure, you’ll be the most zen, knowledgeable and ripped you’ve ever been, but there’ll still be something missing: achievements.

And while there’s something to be said for relishing the journey itself, ultimately, it’s hitting targets that keeps us motivated. That washboard stomach and newfound fluency in Japanese just won’t mean that much if your bank account is still in the red, your relationships suck and you’re stuck in a job you hate. Leave those big issues unresolved and all those good habits are likely to end up falling by the wayside.

So what’s the alternative? Well, you need to start harnessing the energy you’re expending on your personal development to a larger purpose. Call it a mission. That’s ultimately what’ll get you out of bed in the morning and give all those smaller self-improvement strategies their meaning. If that sounds like a tall order, don’t worry – in these blinks, we’ll lay out an actionable, step-by-step guide to creating and fulfilling your personal mission.

Along the way, you’ll learn

what The Matrix can teach us about self-belief;
how to make yourself emotionally invincible; and
why our brains limit our potential, and what we can do about it.

There are two different kinds of miracle, but only one that you can do anything about.

One day, American jeweller Donnie Register found himself in the middle of a hold-up, with a gun pointed at his head. Things went south, and the robber pulled the trigger. The probability of that kind of shot ending in anything but instant death was pretty much zero, but luck was on Donnie’s side. He instinctively raised his hands, and the bullet was deflected by his gold wedding band, saving his life.

That’s what we usually think of as a miracle: an extraordinary stroke of fortune that seems to come from on high.

But it’s miracles like these that give the concept a bad name. As doubters are quick to point out, occurrences like Donnie’s narrow escape are incredibly rare. They’re also beyond our control – after all, if people knew how to simply conjure miraculous interventions we’d all have six-figure checks in our mailboxes and odds-defying health recoveries would be the norm.

The author felt the same way for a long time. But here’s what he gradually realized: rational skepticism can easily turn into cynicism. What’s the difference? Well, the first is a healthy sign that you’re using your critical faculties to analyse the world around you. The latter, by contrast, is an irrational belief that your options are more limited than they really are. And that’s when you start dismissing the miracles you can control.

People often assume that their most successful peers are incredibly “lucky,” as though the gods had personally ordained their achievements. But most highfliers don’t just sit around waiting for a random, passive miracle like Donnie’s: they actively create their own good fortune. That makes them miracle mavens, a term that goes back to the Hebrew word mebhin, meaning “one who knows.”

Every era has its own mavens. Think of figures like John F. Kennedy, the first American president to put a man on the moon, or Martin Luther King, the civil rights leader who transformed the nation’s ideas about both itself and its black citizens. While others waited and prayed for a miracle, these go-getters went out there and made it happen.

The author first discovered the miracle equation in his early twenties.

Let’s rewind back to Hal Elrod’s early twenties. He was just out of college and working as a sales rep for Cutco, a high-end kitchenware company. Up to that point, he’d been a pretty average kid, but he was beginning to hit his stride. That was down to his success in so-called “push periods” – Cutco’s 14-day sales contests.

In early 2001, he’d just made $20,000 worth of sales in two consecutive pushes and was on the verge of breaking the company’s all-time sales record. All he needed to do was make the same amount in a third push. The only problem? The next contest was only ten days long. That meant he’d have to sell $2,000 worth of cutlery every day – something he’d never done before.

Establishing unwavering faith is a conscious choice that both mentors and spirituality can support.

Did you know that 27 publishers turned down Theodor Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss – the children’s book author who later sold 600 million copies of his books worldwide? Or that record studios told Elvis Presley he couldn’t cut it in the music business and advised him to stick to driving trucks? What keeps miracle mavens going when they’re faced with rejection and setbacks is unwavering faith: the unshakeable belief that they possess the ability to make miracles. But where does that faith come from?

Well, it’s what people sometimes call a “leap of faith.” That has two aspects. First, it’s a leap because there’s no other way of getting there – neither reason nor evidence provides a clear route to your destination. Secondly, it doesn’t come naturally. As we’ve seen, there are all kinds of obstacles to self-belief. That means it has to be consciously established in a moment of decision.

Learning to define yourself can help you overcome biological and social limitations.

By this point you might be champing at the bit to start applying the miracle equation to your own life. But hold on a second – before we do that, we’ll need to take care of a couple of common psychological logjams that get in the way of unwavering faith and extraordinary effort.

Let’s start with limitations. Think back to your childhood: What did you want to be when you grew up? Chances are, you set your sights high. Kids dream of becoming famous ballerinas or baseball players. When we’re young, everything seems possible. Over time, however, the world becomes smaller, and we find ourselves hemmed in by self-imposed limitations.

The five-minute rule can help you achieve emotional peace when things go wrong.

When the author was 20, he was involved in a near-fatal car crash after being hit head-on by a drunk driver going 70 miles an hour. What did the most damage, though, was being broadsided by a second vehicle. That collision broke eleven bones, including Elrod’s femur, eye socket and pelvis. His heart stopped for a full six minutes and he almost bled to death, leaving him in a coma.

When he woke, he was told he’d probably never walk again. His doctors expected him to fall into a profound depression. But after a moment of deep reflection, Elrod surprised them with his upbeat response. He laughed, cracked jokes and seemed to be in high spirits. That, the medical staff thought, must be a form of denial. Worried that he was repressing his emotions, they asked his parents to talk to him. That’s when the author explained the five-minute rule.

Defining your mission is the best way of avoiding getting bogged down in competing goals.

Now that we’ve taken a look at overcoming the brain’s inbuilt limitations and toughening your emotional armor, it’s time to talk about goals. Chances are, you’ve got lots – we all do. But here’s the issue: if you don’t prioritize, you won’t achieve any of them.

In fact, attempting to tackle all your goals at once is the most common obstacle to progress. There just isn’t enough time to work on your health, family, finances, career and relationships simultaneously. Try it and you’ll be plenty busy but failing to make anything but the most inconsequential gains. It’ll leave you frustrated and ready to call the whole thing off.

Setting monthly targets and engineering your environment make it easier to fulfill your mission.

In this blink, we’ll be focusing on inching your mission from possible toward probable. The greater your progress on that front, the more likely it is that you’ll stay engaged and committed. Ready? Great – let’s explore some support strategies you can start using today.

If you’ve ever made New Year’s resolutions, you’ll know that a year is a long time. That might sound like a boon, but it can actually be a curse. That’s because it’s simply too much time: if you pursue a goal over such an extended time span, you’re likely to lose your sense of urgency. After all, if you haven’t started that diet by the end of February, you’ve always got another ten months, right? Well, no. The overly optimistic thought that “I’ve got plenty of time left” tricks us into postponing important decisions.

Extraordinary effort is all about consistency and commitment.

That brings us almost to the end of our journey. In this blink, we’ll wrap up with some tips to help you with the second part of the miracle equation – extraordinary effort. But let’s start out by clearing up a possible misconception: despite the name, this isn’t about heroic Herculean labors. In fact, bringing your miracle to fruition is all about constantly repeating small steps.

That has a couple of components. The first thing you’ll need to do is predetermine your process. What that means is figuring out which steps, if taken again and again, will lead to the fulfilment of your mission.

Want to see all full key ideas from The Miracle Equation ?

Key ideas in The Miracle Equation

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is The Miracle Equation about?

The Miracle Equation (2019) is a hands-on guide to living your best life and making your dreams come true. Drawing on the wisdom of miracle-makers old and new, best-selling author and motivational speaker Hal Elrod shows how highfliers achieve their success by adhering to two basic principles: unwavering commitment and extraordinary effort. Packed with actionable advice on everything from dealing with emotional pain to prioritizing goals, these blinks will help you put the past behind you and move toward a glittering future.

The Miracle Equation Review

The Miracle Equation (2019) by Hal Elrod is a book that will inspire and motivate you to achieve your biggest goals. Here's why you should read it:

With its simple yet powerful formula, the book teaches you a method of unstoppable success that can be applied to any area of your life.
Using a combination of personal stories, scientific research, and practical exercises, Elrod demonstrates how to turn your dreams into reality.
The book's engaging and conversational tone keeps you fully engaged, ensuring that the journey towards your goals is anything but boring.

Best quote from The Miracle Equation

Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature. – Saint Augustine

—Hal Elrod

Who should read The Miracle Equation ?

Self-starters looking for a boost
Work-weary souls ready for a new challenge
Goal-setters overwhelmed by their personal targets

About the Author

Hal Elrod is a life coach, motivational speaker and author. After almost dying in a car crash and defying the odds to beat a rare form of cancer with a 20 to 30 percent survival rate, he knows a thing or two about miracles. Today, he uses his insights to help millions of people around the world overcome their own challenges and reach their full potential. His previous books include The Miracle Morning (2012).

Categories with The Miracle Equation

Personal Development Religion & Spirituality

Book summaries like The Miracle Equation

The Miracle Morning

Hal Elrod

The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 A.M.)

The Secret of Your Success Is Determined by Your Daily Agenda

10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy

How to Fuel Success, Create Happiness, and Conquer Anything

Navigate Earth, Mind and Body. Step by Step

The Secret to Achieving More with Less

The New Psychology of Success

Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.

The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy

Presenting with More Stories and Less PowerPoint

22 min

4.3

Where Good Ideas Come From

Steven Johnson

The Natural History of Innovation

18 min

4.2

The Miracle of Mindfulness

Thich Nhat Hanh

An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation

20 min

4.6

All It Takes Is a Goal

Jon Acuff

The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential

Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma

20 min

4.4

The Art of Talking with Children

Rebecca Rolland

Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids

How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs

20 min

4.4

The Science of Rapid Skill Acquisition

Peter Hollins

Advanced Methods to Learn, Remember, and Master New Skills and Information

Boost Your Results, Reduce Your Hours

The Revolutionary Method to Work Smarter and Live Better

17 min

3.5

Influence is Your Superpower

Zoe Chance

The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen

Burn Fat, Heal Inflammation, and Eat Like the High-Performing Human You Were Meant to Be

A Short Guide to Remove Distractions and Get Your Brain to Do Hard Things

21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success

How Conflict and Repair Build Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust

20 min

The Body

Bill Bryson

A Guide for Occupants

29 min

4.4

Procrastinate on Purpose

Rory Vaden

5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time

18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company

19 min

Hidden Potential

Adam Grant

The Science of Achieving Greater Things

Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success

9 min

4.3

The Speed of Trust

Stephen M.R. Covey with Rebecca R. Merrill

The One Thing That Changes Everything

13 min

4.1

The Magic of Thinking Big

David J. Schwartz

Read this to succeed at anything – really

A Practical Guide to Awakening

The Bulletproof Plan to Age Backward and Maybe Even Live Forever

Break the Cycle, Alter Your Thoughts and Create Lasting Change

A Magical Fable About Following Your Dreams

Things You Wish You Were Taught in School

14 min

4.2

The Achievement Habit

Bernard Roth

Stop Wishing, Start Doing, and Take Command of Your Life

A Very Short Introduction

19 min

4.1

How to Read a Financial Report

John A. Tracy and Tage C. Tracy

Essential Information for Entrepreneurs, Lenders, Investors, Analysts, and Management

The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School

16 min

4.4

Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT

Larry Wheeler

Use AI to Generate Ideas, Automate Marketing, and Build Profits

17 min

3.2

Ogilvy on Advertising

David Ogilvy

Discover the Coveted Secrets of Advertising Genius David Ogilvy

16 min

4.0

Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon

Rahul Jandial

The New Science and Stories of the Brain

18 min

4.6

The Happiest Man on Earth

Eddie Jaku

The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor

A Guide to What Matters Most

Four Keys to Building Lasting Relationships

15 min

Adaptability

Max McKeown

The Art of Winning in an Age of Uncertainty

21 min

4.2

How to Meet Your Self

Nicole LePera

The Workbook for Self-Discovery

16 min

4.2

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.