Myths that Keep You Broke #12
Myth #12 - I Read Plenty:
What does it mean to be an avid reader?
Maybe you subscribe to two or three industry publications that you flip through while drinking your morning coffee. Or maybe you check your social media feed or read the Tweet or Facebook post of the day.
Polls show that the average American thinks they read “plenty” of things.
However, for many of us, thinking that we read a great deal is a myth. The most wealthy and successful people in the world, whether in business, politics, or life are not just avid readers, they are addicted to learning.
Reading and being a life-long learner go together and they are the foundation of building wealth.
Beyond financial success, one thing people like Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Elon Musk have in common is that they read on average a book a week. In fact, Warren Buffet takes this to the extreme. He once pointed to a stack of books during an interview and said; “Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest.” He has even said that he devotes up to 80% of his time to reading.
Reading is a way to discover new things. It also helps us develop an attitude that if we don’t know the answer we can open a book or read an article from an expert to figure it out.
The ability to find answers and inspiration through reading is an essential skill in today’s society. If you want to be wealthy, reading helps you expand your mind and improve your vision of what is possible. And reading isn’t just a tool for building wealth; it can also make you healthier and happier. Reading can help prevent stress and depression, help you build compassion, give you clearer skills in leadership and decision-making, as well as affirm you are on the right path for your life.
If reading and learning about a subject feels like a chore, then maybe your passions are directed in the wrong area. If you enjoy learning more about something, whether it is knitting, horses, cars or finance, you may very well be moving in the right direction.
Although lots of reading is essential, learning is not limited to books. You can take classes, attend seminars, listen to podcasts, participate in workshops, or work with a coach or mentor.
Investing in yourself – through reading and learning – will not just lead to wealth, but it will ultimately lead to a life well lived.
What is the next thing you want to read?
Check out my book, Wealth On Any Income, and our comprehensive, practical and hands on program with the same title, Wealth On Any Income - Complete Financial Choice.
To Your Prosperity,
Rennie