Books give us wings.
–slogan for the Center for the Book, Library of Congress
My first full-time job—as I mentioned in the introduction—was building boats. I worked in a metal building without air conditioning. The hot Florida sun would beat down on the tin roof during the summers, heating the inside to oven-like temperatures.
I spent most of my days kneeling in the hull of a boat with an electric grinder in my hand, smoothing the rough fiberglass to a polished finish. When I got home from work, the first thing I did was jump in the shower and scrub the fiberglass off my arms with a stiff brush.
I worked side-by-side with a guy named Bob, and we became pretty good friends during our two years together, working by day and drinking beer by night. Then one day I happened to read The Greatest Salesman in the World, and less than a month later I resigned and took a job in sales.
One summer afternoon seven years later, I dropped by the boat factory to see how things were going. Not much had changed. The sun was still beating down on the metal oven housing the workers. And Bob was still standing inside a half-finished boat with a grinder in his hands.
We reminisced about the old days and exchanged small talk as I loosened my tie. At one point I mentioned to Bob that I’d written a book. He gave me a startled look.
“You wrote a book? You? You must be kidding!” he shouted over the roaring power tools.
“No, I’m serious! In fact, I think I have a copy in the car,” I said as I headed outside. “Stay right there—I’ll bring you back a book.”
“HEY,” Bob shouted after me. “IF YOU’RE GONNA BRING ME SOMETHING, DON’T BRING ME A BOOK. BRING ME A BEER!”
The whole place broke up laughing.
Choosing to Grow
On my drive back home, I did a lot of thinking. And one of the things I kept thinking about was the power of choice. You see, seven years earlier Bob and I were in the exact same place. We worked hard. And we played hard. But one afternoon, instead of getting together with the guys and grabbing a couple of beers, I grabbed a book— something I didn’t do very often in those days.
Bob, on the other hand, grabbed a beer—just like always.
Seven years later, I’d read scores of great personal growth books, written five books of my own, and founded and run several successful businesses.
Bob, on the other hand, still works all day in the hot Florida sun with a grinder in his hand—just like always.
You see, over the years I continued to read my way to riches in many, many phases of my life.
Bob, on the other hand, stayed frozen in time. “Don’t bring me a book, bring me a beer” became his mission statement in life—just like always.
Folks, you don’t have to live your life “just like always.” You can choose to change careers. You can choose to spend more time with your children. You can choose to stop procrastinating. You can choose to become a more considerate spouse.
In other words, you can choose to do what millions of other people just like you have chosen to do... you can choose to get better... you can choose to read more ... you can choose to grow!
Everyone Needs to Read Their Way to Riches
There’s not a person alive who doesn’t need to change their life for the better in one way or the other. Everyone—and I mean EVERYONE— needs to read their way to riches in some area of their lives.
This quote by Dr. Orison S. Marden, founder of Success magazine, epitomizes how books can help you improve your life by helping you grow:
“If you are anxious to improve yourself, read books which tend to elevate your taste, refine your imagination, clarify your ambition, and raise your ideals.
Read books of power, books which stir the very depths of your being to some purpose. Read books which make you resolve to do and be a little better; to try a little harder to be somebody and to do something in the world.
Fifteen minutes of concentrated reading every day would carry you through the great authors in about five years.”
Are you reading the kinds of books that Dr. Marden suggests you read? Are you reading at least 15 minutes a day, every single day? If the answer is “yes,” congratulate yourself, for you are truly reading and growing rich in your life.
I challenge you to continue reading every single day––or to start reading every day if you’re a reluctant reader. I challenge you to take Dr. Marden’s advice and “... read books which tend to elevate your taste... refine your imagination... clarify your ambition... and raise your ideals.” If you do, the hidden powers of reading will make you grow richer in all areas of your life.
In closing, I wish you all the success you will allow yourself to have through the books you read—and always remember that when you keep reading... and keep going... you keep growing!
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