One of the marvelous things about life is that any gaps in your education can be filled, whatever your age or situation, by reading, and thinking about what you read. (Bennis)
Are you in any of these groups?
- 33% of U.S. high school graduates will never read a book after high school.
- 42% of college students will never read another book after they graduate.
- 80% of U.S. families did not buy a book last year.
- 70% of adults have not been in a book store or ordered a book online in the past 5 years.
[Statisticbrain.com]
The fact that you are reading this blog indicates that you are literate. This is a good thing, but not sufficient. The critical question is not can you read but do you read? Mark Twain observed,“Those who do not read have no advantage over those who cannot read.” I would add: but those who do read are better off than those who can read but do not.
When I was in graduate school I read a lot, but after completing my degree I didn’t read much for the next ten years. Perhaps I had what John Maxwell calls destination disease. He says, “Some people mistakenly believe that if they can accomplish a particular goal, they no longer have to grow. This disease can infect us at many times in life: after earning a degree, reaching a desired position, receiving a particular award, or achieving a financial goal.”
I regret that for 120 months I seldom opened a book. Granted, reading is not the only way to learn and grow, but it’s a good way.
When was the last time you read an intriguing book that challenged your thinking?
The potential benefit of reading regularly is astounding. If you read 60 minutes every day you could read a book a week, four books a month, 52 books a year, 520 books in 10 years. That would change your life. If you read 520 books, in a world in which the average person reads less than a book a year, you would develop a decisive advantage in life.
Read widely and think deeply.
Click here to read more on how to learn from reading.
Click here to learn how to quickly and effectively read a non-fiction book.
Summary
What? – Though reading is beneficial, most adults don’t read.
So what? -Those who do not read are no better off than those who cannot read; but those who do read will grow, learn, and have an advantage over those who can but do not.
Now what? – Set a goal to read one significant book per month. If you need suggestions on what to read, see the recommended book section on my home page.
Leaders – On a regular basis, lead your team to read and discuss significant books.
Several years ago I challenged myself to begin reading books in the cracks of time that life afforded. The more I looked, the more cracks I found—and the more books I read. It really is amazing how much we can read if we simply recognize how to spend our time well.
Several weeks ago you published a blog on reading and I remember your suggestion regarding always taking a book with you to read. Great idea that I have now incorporated into my life. You’re right, minutes soon turn into hours.
I heard a quote recently that ties your favorite subject (leadership) with the topic of this post:
LEADERS READ, AND READERS LEAD.
Brent, I like that quote; it’s short and pithy. Thanks.
Don thanks for the challenge to read. The one-eyed monster in the house has taken its toll on the enjoyment of reading. My appetite is similar to yours but probably not as cerebral as yours,I you hy at is an accurate assessment. Biggest hindrance is “we’ve never done it that way before”. My favorite verse dealing with a learning attitude is from the NLT version of 1996 Pr. 18:15 “Intelligent people are always open to new ideas, in fact, they look for them.” The critical issue comes down to filtering all new ideas thru the Word of God. Foreign travel seems to be one of the key ingredients to developing a mind willing to be open to new ideas, even more so than education. Not putting education down, just don’t use it as a crutch. Hope this makes some semblance of rational thought however poorly worded. Be blessed!
Sam. Your words are well said and worth saying. I’ve never noticed the NLT of Proverbs 18:15. I like that. Take care and thanks for commenting.
I enjoyed this blog very much. I read quite a bit of fiction and some non-fiction. I have a book for you if you have not read it.
The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews
It is a short historical fiction book about German submarines coming into the Gulf of Mexico toward the beginning of WWII.
I think you would like it. Very informative on a topic that few people know about.
Shirley, thanks for getting in touch. I’ll order the Andrews book; it sounds like one that I would enjoy. I hope 2016 will be a good year for you. Don