Bob Proctor
Born 1934 · Age 91
Canadian self-help author and motivational speaker, proponent of the law of attraction; best known for You Were Born Rich (1984) and as a contributor/teacher in the film The Secret (2006).
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Life & Career Timeline
Completed 8th grade and enrolled at Danforth Tech
After finishing 8th grade Proctor enrolled at Danforth Technical School (dropped out months later). Year is estimated based on typical age.
Dropped out of Danforth Tech after a bandsaw injury
Left technical school a few months later when a bandsaw-inflicted thumb injury ended his plans for formal technical training.
Worked odd jobs (early employment period)
Worked a series of low-skilled jobs — factories, gas stations, changing/lubricating oil — describing them as 'dumb jobs' as he searched for direction.
Served in Canadian Royal Navy (shore duty)
Served as a sailor on shore duty in the Canadian Royal Navy; Proctor later said he was never on a ship during his service.
Worked for the Toronto Fire Department
Was working with the Toronto Fire Department in the early 1960s when introduced to Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich.
Introduced to Think and Grow Rich
Raymond Douglas Stanford shared Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich with Proctor; Proctor credited the book with changing his life's focus.
Quit fire department and launched cleaning services business
Left his fire department job and started a cleaning-services company; described as his first enterprise after leaving public-sector work.
Cleaning business nets over $100,000 in first year
Proctor stated the cleaning-services venture earned him over $100,000 in its starting year despite his lack of formal business education.
Joined Nightingale-Conant Organization
Joined the personal development company Nightingale-Conant and moved to Chicago to be mentored by Earl Nightingale (date estimated to early-to-mid 1960s).
Mentored by Earl Nightingale
Worked closely with and was mentored by broadcasting/personal development figure Earl Nightingale at Nightingale-Conant (approximate year).
Rose through Nightingale-Conant ranks (VP of Sales reported)
Sources state Proctor rose quickly at Nightingale-Conant and became Vice President of Sales (no exact date in texts; mid-late 1960s is likely).
Began offering public seminars and motivational lectures
Started organizing and delivering seminars on self-help, paradigms and the mind; brought students from the U.S. and Canada (approximate period: 1970s).
Founded his own personal development company
According to biographical sources Proctor founded his own company (seminars/coaching) in 1973 and began offering seminars and coaching programs.
Published 'You Were Born Rich'
McCrary Publishing released Proctor's book 'You Were Born Rich' after prior rejections from other publishers.
'You Were Born Rich' becomes New York Times bestseller
The book went on to become an international New York Times best seller, raising Proctor's profile significantly.
Authored other self-help titles (series of publications)
Authored/produced materials including Mission in Commission, The Goal Achiever, The Winner's Image, The Recruiting Puzzle, The Success Puzzle, The Success Series, and Being the Very Best (dates vary; aggregated event).
Worked with major corporate clients globally
Delivered programs/consulting for large companies such as Prudential Insurance, Procter & Gamble, Metropolitan Life, Royal Doulton and U.S. Steel (period spanning late 1980s–2000s).
Developed and released programs and courses
Produced widely marketed programs such as courses based on 'The Science of Getting Rich' and later branded programs; collaborated with peers like Michael Beckwith and Jack Canfield (approximate timeline spanning 1990s–2000s).
Featured contributor in the film 'The Secret'
Rhonda Byrne invited Proctor to participate in The Secret (2006); his appearance brought his teachings to a much wider mainstream audience.
Global surge in recognition due to The Secret
Following The Secret (2006), Proctor's visibility and book/program sales rose substantially; credited with contributing to renewed interest in the law of attraction.
Wall Street Journal critique of The Secret/approach
The Wall Street Journal published criticism noting risks of followers choosing Proctor's positive-thinking model over medical/physical therapies and calling some claims questionable.
Launched modern digital programs and clubs
Released branded modern programs including 'Six Minutes to Success', 'Magic in Your Mind' and later the 'Bob Proctor Streaming Club' to deliver training digitally (approximate timing: late 2000s–2010s).
Co-founded / operated Proctor Gallagher Institute (with Sandy Gallagher)
Proctor worked with Sandy Gallagher and co-branded the Proctor Gallagher Institute which operated seminars, coaching and online programs; institute headquartered in Phoenix, AZ (founding date not specified in sources; year estimated).
Featured multiple times on podcasts and interviews (e.g., Lewis Howes)
Was interviewed repeatedly by podcasters and media (Lewis Howes interviewed him several times); continued to deliver talks and interviews into his 80s.
Continued international speaking and seminars
Traveled globally to continue seminars, keynote speeches and coaching into his 80s; described as still living his purpose and flying worldwide at age 85.
Ongoing criticism for pseudoscientific claims
Medical experts and science commentators continued to criticize aspects of Proctor's teachings (law of attraction, misuse of Kirlian photography and appeals to quantum mysticism).
Legacy: Influence on popularization of the law of attraction
Posthumous recognition of his role in the popular self-help movement and influence via You Were Born Rich and The Secret; institutes and materials continue to operate.
Death (natural causes)
Died on February 3, 2022 at age 87; a press release by the Proctor Gallagher Institute stated cause as 'natural causes'.
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