What does every successful CEO have in common? They all read A LOT. Ask any entrepreneur or CEO what the key to their success is, and more often than not, they’ll mention reading a few inspirational or informative books.
As an adult, you might feel like you have no time or space for reading, but if there’s one thing you should take away from this blog post, it’s that time spent reading is never time wasted. Whether you read fantasy novels or business books, whether it’s to escape or to pass the time, reading in itself is productive in more ways than one. Let’s delve into why.
Is reading linked to wealth?
Studies have shown reading is linked to earning more money. People that read at least seven business books a year earn a whopping 2.3 times more than people that read one book per year. It doesn’t stop at business books. 85% of wealthier people read two or more books about education, self-improvement and career-related topics every month, while only 15% of the less affluent people do the same. Why does reading help that much? Is it because of the information the readers are taking in? Yes, but it’s much more than that.
Reading helps career progression
No matter the genre of the book, the simple act of reading will noticeably set you apart from the rest. Here are some ways reading can elevate you above your colleagues and help you achieve success in your career.
Empathy
Reading about different types of people, their struggles, and their lives, in general, helps you gain an understanding and appreciation of other perspectives in life. Empathy is crucial in a working environment.
Communication
When you read, you build your vocabulary, which has been linked to academic and executive success. It also exposes you to different delivery styles of speech which is important for connecting better with clients and colleagues. All of these factors can help set you apart from the rest at work.
Creativity
Reading automatically activates your imagination which can be great for thinking more analytically and outside the box – things bosses and clients love to see! The way you break down information in a paragraph is the same as how you break down information when you need to make a decision. This basically means the better you are at taking in information through reading, the easier it is to make good decisions.
Staying informed
You can choose to read about your own area of expertise or interests to help better yourself in a more direct way. Business books, self-help books, and motivational books are just some examples of how reading can help you consciously make better choices, and subconsciously your mind will stay focused on these goals.
Less stress
Books are what many of us turn to when we want to wind down. Reading actually reduces stress by up to 86%, working faster than any tea or music can! Less stress means less chance of burnout at work, which gets you working at your optimal performance.
Confidence: Readers are 10% more likely than non-readers to have higher levels of self-esteem and tend to speak with more confidence, in general. Confidence is key when it comes to advancing in your career.
How to read more
“I don’t have time to read!” It’s the age-old excuse. When you want to do something, you’ll make the time for it, right? Here are some ideas on how you can enjoy reading so that you can read more every day.
- Set a reading goal (a certain amount of pages in a day or books in a month) to help motivate you.
- Read books by people you know and admire – this way you know you’ll be interested.
- Read books by people they admire – people who inspired the people who inspired you!
- If you’re finding that the book you’re reading is boring, drop it and find a different one!
- Note down or mark out anything interesting you come across while reading.
It’s as easy as that. Who knew something as simple as reading could have such a big impact on all aspects of your life, including your career? Pick up that book!
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