An article published in the New York Times, showed the results of a poll conducted on 147 men and women.
Simply put, this poll showed how non-employed Americans spend their weekdays, with a focus on men vs women. (Click on the image below to view the article).
These are the results…
For the sake of argument here, I wanted to offer a powerful perspective on leadership and how it directly translates into your income.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Leaders are readers”
This is because it’s been shown the wealthy in general read 2, 3, or 4 books a month and your education, when applied, directly affects your income.
There were a lot of polls done including Huffington Post, Statista and others, but the one that really gives a good picture is the one that Quora reported (Poll done by Ipsos for the Associated Press back in 2007).
It looked like this:
The poll reported 27% of Americans had not read a single book, while 73% had. Of the respondents who reported having read a book, the mean was 6.5 books per year.
Specific percentage breakdown summary:
– 1 to 5 books 41%
– 6 to 15 books 31%
– More than 15 books 27%
And that was in 2007. Since then the numbers of people who have not read a book at all is actually increasing, and recent estimates show that 1 in 4 people will not read a book this year.
And when you combine those that won’t read a book this year, with those who read 1 book per year, it means that the average American will read less than 1 book per year.
Consider This…
Forget who does more of what in the pictograph. What if men and women decided to give up 1 hour of television a day and dedicate that time to reading?
And I don’t mean any old book either.
I mean success books, business books, financial books, wealth building, entrepreneurship, self development… books that will help you become a better person.
If the average person would read 30 minutes a day, they will be right on par with the top CEO’s earning a million dollars a year.
If the unemployed dedicated 1 hour a day to development, in 10 to 20 year’s time, after applying what they’re learning, we would have a whole new generation of millionaires.
Imagine what it would do for you? Why do you think I dedicated an entire year to developing my leadership ability?
But what books should you read?
Here are the books that I personally have read (or I have purchased to add to my reading list).
- It’s OK to Leave the Plantation: The New Underground Railroad by C. Mason Weaver
- The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
- The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
- Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
- The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles
- Sell To Survive by Grant Cardone
- The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
- Developing The Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell
- Awaken The Giant Within by Anthony Robbins
- Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Currently, #10 is the book of the month here at Winning Blog Tactics.
So I’m Issuing You A Challenge…
No matter where you are, or what you’re doing, no matter if you’re employed or unemployed, I am challenging you to read at least 30 minutes per day.
Read something that will better your life; read something that will push your thinking forward; read something that will elevate your thinking.
The list of 14 are the ones I’ve read, added to my list to read, and will probably re-read again and again. And no, The Art of War isn’t a mistake.
Pick these books up and start reading. And when you’re done with those, go to Inc.com or Amazon and look for the top selling (best rated) business books and start reading them.
And check out the books they mention and recommend.
A lot of people talk about the 1% or the top 10% and the wealth gap, right?
What if you follow the bread crumbs that success is leaving behind and pick them up?
What if with the right opportunity, the right support, and the right education, you can rise above where you are now and live the life you’ve always wanted and deserved?
One of the things I learned from a millionaire (and I know a few of them being in the same business as they are), is this:
“When you’re following the steps and doing all the work and nothing is happening, it’s time to go to work on your inner game”
There’s a reason why there are so many rags to riches stories, there’s a reason why we say leaders are readers.
You have to work on your inner game in order to live up to your full potential.
That is my challenge guys and girls: Read 30 minutes a day, every day this year. Apply what you’ve learned to your life, and for goodness sake, if you’re not happy where you are take massive action and get somewhere better.
RIGHT NOW I am looking for men and women who are interested in learning how to blog and make money online, working from home, as well as teaching people how to use blogging to get more results in their business.
If you are interested, please click here, enter your email, and watch the free video we put together.
Peace! I love you guys.
