Reading Virus White Paper

How I Contracted The Reading Virus “Or, How to Get Ahead by Reading Lots of Books”

By Michael Scott

For years, I have been in the habit of reading at least one book a week.

Yep, you heard right - a new page turner or two every few days. Yet, a common refrain I hear whenever I mention this to anyone is:

“Michael, how do you have any time to read?

Because I certainly don’t!”

But here’s what I know. Deep down inside you have a yearning to read more books. Let’s admit that there’s nothing like the pleasure of inviting knowledge, power, inspiration, and escape into your consciousness.

And I know you have the desire to think more critically, become a more informed citizen, and forge new pathways to a better life. But maybe you’re not sure how. I think I can help.

Actually, I know I can help.

Not because I’m a genius or anything. I don’t speed read and I don’t skim. And I read, on average, several books each month, a habit I’ve had since childhood.

Here’s what I’ve discovered books offer a rich source of planetary currency that can be used to expand one’s global context, explore languages and cultures, and open the doors to new professional opportunities.

I’ve lived my life accordingly, reading voraciously… just like some of the great visionaries of our time: Cornel West, Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, Arianna Huffington, Phil Jackson, Malcolm X, and Warren Buffet.

As a full-time independent journalist, there aren’t many spare hours in my week. Yet I’d like to think I’m similar to these prized intellectuals in one way: I am an autodidact, a self-learner. Books are like honey nectar to me. Reading is my love language.

1

I Blame My Dad For My Healthy Reading Appetite As many of us are apt to do, we blame our parents for how our lives turn out. While I’m no exception, my experiences have all been very positive.

An intellectually minded university administrator, I have fond memories of my Dad reading book after book in his home study. He’d hunker down in his favorite red lounge chair, fill the room with jazz and blues, and savor the joys of reading into the wee hours of the morning.

What I discovered from observing him as a kid is that books give you the ability to reach a higher ground in life. Whether you’re a business leader, a stay-at-home parent, a lawyer, or a master chef, a foundation in books and reading will give you a better understanding of the world around you and the people you will encounter.

With my Dad’s legacy forever present, I’ve read hundreds of books. And like many others, I have found the power of reading to be a key element in the person I’ve become and the things I’ve achieved.

During my early years as a healthcare administrator a number of books published through the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Hospital Association were a lifeline to my success. During my consulting years, Alan Weiss’ book Million Dollar Consulting was my go-to playbook. And as a writer and journalist, The Tao of Writing by Ralph L. Wahlstrom has been a real gift one that I return to often for wisdom.

“If you work hard on your job, you can make a living.

But if you work hard on yourself, you can make a fortune” This is one of my favorite quotes by Jim Rohn, a great thought leader and business philosopher. It really sums up how reading plays a big part in the lives of successful people. I’ve always kept that sentiment close to my heart, just like a mantra. It’s a simple mantra, but simple doesn’t always

2

mean easy. Note that he uses the word “work”. Reading is a commitment.

As John Irving once said, “Good habits are worth being fanatical about”.

Reading allows us to be exposed to new ideas that can transform us.

By way of example, Oprah Winfrey used books as an escape from a childhood of poverty and abuse. She worked her way from a Mississippi farm to a career in radio and TV. Now she has a communications empire that continues to have a profound influence on the world.

But success, weath, or fame aren’t the only reasons to embrace reading as a habit. We should do so because it opens our minds to new ideas and possibilities, giving us access to worlds beyond our own.

“My alma mater was books, a good library…

I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.”

-Malcolm X

3

The 7 Reading “Whys” One Book At A Time As an avid reader, having read hundreds of books, I have strong views as to why everyone should pick up a book and start expanding their mind. Here are 7 nuggets for you to ponder:

1

Knowledge Expansion According to Fast Company, the average CEO reads more than a book per week. And everyone knows that Warren Buffett, one of the most successful people on the planet, advises everyone to read. He is fond of saying: “500 pages… every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”

2

Wealth Expansion Success isn’t always defined in terms of money but if you poll the wealthiest people on earth, one thing they all seem to have in common is that they’re passionate readers. From self-improvement books to autobiographies they seem to inhale knowledge and exhale money.

So whether you’re reading about the latest in personal finance, boosting your stock market portfolio, or launching a new entrepreneurial venture, reading is a valuable first step to building your personal wealth.

4

3

Brain Expansion Today’s digital world is designed to shove brief, easily-digestible snippets of information in front of readers who rarely have time for anything but shallow skimming. But to get to the juicy benefits, the life-altering, bootstrapping kind of benefits we’re talking about, we all need to aim higher than that.

So don’t settle for merely skimming the headlines. Science confirms that deep reading has a positive influence on your brain: blood flows to it, improving the brain’s functioning and connectivity. Moreover, it has been proven that this functioning improves for days! So, read books and your brain will function better for it.

4

Life Expansion Reading provides the best foundation for becoming a better human being. When you read, you improve your emotional intelligence. This provides you with a better understanding of the scope of human history and our place within that timeline. It also provides a window into the cultural abundance we are exposed to throughout our entire life.

Books are also the foundation for future life expansion and lifetime learning. It helps us become more self-aware and engage more effectively with one another. Reading, in fact, helps us in our ability to ask good questions. Through our curiosity, we learn new perspectives and ways of examining old problems.

Here’s how this has worked for me. When I first realized the extent of my personal finance troubles several years ago, my first reaction was to go to the library and grab a giant pile of personal finance books.

Some of those books were utterly forgettable. Others offered really good practical wisdom.

But here’s the good news! After capturing some of this advice I was able to create a more sustainable financial situation. This allowed me to exponentially move my life endeavors forward in a meaningful way.

Since then, reading about personal finance and self-improvement has been a constant activity in my life, both because it’s a passion of mine and because doing so, simply put, makes me a better person.

5

5

Stress Reduction Reading is magical: it can expand your mind and it can also serve to control the chaos that leads to stress. I can serve as a stress relieving escape a temporary distraction and break from the world.

Reading a great book is an indulgence that you should offer yourself every day. It’s good for your soul and great for stress management. Stepping away from the craziness of the world for a few moments, you can enjoy the beauty of good writing, in whatever form that might take.

6

Life Pivots We’ve all had some big life changes to grapple with. A big one for me was in 1993 when my mother died. That year, I also transitioned from a healthcare career into work as a speaker and consultant . Books offered perspectives that were pivotal in getting through these changes.

They helped me navigate through my grief, determine what was next on my life roadmap, and eventually act on my dreams.

7

Slowing Down the Pace of Life We all need diversions from the banality of life. Like an enchanting movie that takes you to another place, books can help us transcend some of the less inspiring moments in our lives.

For example, I was recently at the grocery store amid the Covid-19 crisis donning a mask.

Despite the fact there was a long line snaking around the store, I was happy to wait because I had something with me to read. Whether it be a physical version or one in a digital or audio format, I am never without a book to crack open.

As a result, I’m never in a hurry because I know I can grab a few moments to read whenever I’m forced to wait in line or whenever I have some time to kill. Carry a book with you wherever you go!

6

5 Simple Steps for Carving Out Time to Read Now that you’ve read the why’s and are hopeful fired up about launching a daily reading habit, let’s capitalize on that energy. For some fuel. Here are some practical tips for getting started.

Step 1: Read what you love.

I used to read the classics, thinking I’d get something out of them. I read Proust, for example. Mostly, what I experienced was boredom and I didn’t learn much, either. I also realized that I was spending less time reading because I wasn’t looking forward to it. The moral of this story is don’t just read something because you think you’re supposed to read it. Rather, read books that open your mind and keep you engaged with rapt excitement.

Step 2: Publically commit yourself to reading.

Use social media to announce your plans to read more books. Start an email list with friends who’d appreciate hearing your book reviews. Join Goodreads and connect with me there. Anything that gives you confidence and adds a little incentive can strengthen your drive to read more.

Step 3: Start your search with book lists.

The global proliferation of published books has led to a massive repository of knowledge for the everyday person to tap into. With so many eye-opening cover titles and captivating themes, how does one sort through it all? It’s called building a list. Readers everywhere are constantly vetting new books and authors ranking their favorites online, usually with a summary of why each book is worth a read. Check out Goodreads, Maria Popova’s site Brainpickings blog, or any curated list (The New York Times bestsellers come to mind) to identify books that suit your interest.

7

Step 4: Read during moments of down time.

You don’t have to sit down and read for hours per day in order to reach your reading goals. Read while you’re waiting for the train. Read while you’re waiting for your toast to pop up. Listen to an audiobook while you drive.

Examine your typical day and you’ll find tons of spare minutes… they add up.

You’ll be surprised with what you can accomplish.

Step 5: Be a quitter when it’s called for.

You’ll be surprised to learn how many people grudgingly trudge through a book even when it sucks. That’s nonsense! Quitting a bad book means you have more time to begin chipping away at a read that’s more aligned with your interests. It will also make reading a much more enjoyable experience.

My Final Word Reading can change your life. But to reap the benefits good books can offer, you have to make a strong commitment. An investment of time is an indicator of how valuable something is to you. Start investing in yourself, your future, and anything you set your mind to.

Insight, perspective, transformation, success, growth—it’s all there for you with the power of reading.

You are invited to join us at “Great Books, Great Minds” a global community of readers where authors and readers collide. It’s FREE. www.GreatBooksGreatMinds.com