Most Successful Business Owners
Andrew Carnegie once said: “A man’s reading program should be as carefully planned as his daily diet, for that too is food, without which he cannot grow mentally.”
Let’s take a moment to analyse this statement.
But before we do, let’s consider the fact Carnegie wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, travelled to America as an immigrant from Scotland and became one of America’s wealthiest men.
So the guy knows a thing or two you or I don’t.
One of the things I have found over the years is the most successful business owners I know take the time to read and continually grow mentally.
And every real growth in my business has come as a result of reading something.
I read about how to write emails. I changed my approach and this added at least $50,000 to my bottom line.
I read a section in the book, Good to Great about getting the right people on your bus, and this has changed my approach to business and leverage forever.
I read an excerpt in the book, The Breakthrough Company, which has made me more aggressive and forward thinking.
I learnt how to speed read which saves me hours of time and allows me to chew through more.
I first got into business as a result of attending a Brad Sugars seminar many moons ago.
I credit Gary Halbert for his advice on how to become a great copywriter by writing out the great letters in ones own handwriting. I did that for an hour every morning for over a year.
I did that as a result of something I read.
So when I hear those words come out of Carenegie’s mouth I can’t help but agree with him.
Do I follow it?
Not as well as I should.
Sure, I am always carrying a book with me wherever I go.
But I don’t schedule in time like I should.
However when I reflect back on all the changes reading and learning has made to my life over the past few years, it certainly makes sense to.
After all, how can we grow mentally unless we are learning. And how can we learn unless we read books, attend courses, interview interesting people, jump on seminars and webinars, etc.
Most people (and many business owners) stopped growing years ago. Some as soon as they finished school.
Don’t let that happen to you.
Implement a reading program into your life today.
If it’s good enough for one of the world’s richest men, isn’t it good enough for you?