Did you ever wish you were a superhero? The Hulk, Spiderman, or Batman, maybe? Yes, we all did at some point! But what you didn’t know or probably still don’t know, is that you might have a superpower you are already using without even knowing it!
So, let’s get started…we bet you’re dying to know what superpower has left billionaires themselves wanting!
Here goes –
When a student at Nebraska State asked Bill Gates and Warren Buffet what superpower they wished they had, Gates answered, “Being able to read super fast.” Buffett quickly echoed him, adding, “I’ve probably wasted 10 years reading slowly.”
Uh, what? Reading…that’s it? Yes, that’s it…reading! Imagine of all the things that money could buy, the people most successful in the world wish they can read more or read faster, rather. And that is why we’re talking today on how important reading is!
If you made it to just this bit of this article and thought about closing it, we urge you to stick around and finish, because we know you’ll have new-found inspiration when you’re done, promise!
So, getting back to what we were saying – if you’re an ardent reader, good on you! But, on the other hand, if you’re an infrequent reader or not a reader at all, we’re here to show you the ropes on how you can benefit all around once you work on developing or strengthening this beautiful habit!
Take baby steps
Aim to start small, even if it’s two pages a day, do a little at a time so you’re not overwhelmed or bored easily. Don’t beat yourself up either; come to an understanding in your mind that developing a habit takes time. The key is just to remain consistent. If you miss a day or two, who cares? Just keep coming back without feeling discouraged and you’ll be on your way to becoming a seasoned reader soon!
Make time
The best way to ensure you do something consistently is to set up a time each day, dedicated to it. Initially, this will be difficult. But we bet there were many habits that you’ve found hard to develop but were good for you, so you worked on it with focus! Like brushing your teeth at night, going to the gym, doing yoga, or drinking enough water. It all takes time.
Just remind yourself about why you started every time you want to quit…we mean don’t just start on an impulse, start it, after you’ve had a good talk with yourself and then gained clarity on it. The next step is to put an implementation plan into place and then go ahead. You WILL succeed this way, no two ways about that!
Additional Reading: PepsiCo CEO Indira Nooyi’s 5-Step Success Model to All Working Women and Men Alike
Find a place to read
Yes, the environment around you matters. Pick a favourite spot and read there! You’ll see what a difference it will make to your reading time. The place you choose should preferably be somewhere quiet and without distractions. Once you do this for a while, you’ll be able to read anywhere and everywhere. You’ll even start taking books with you on cab rides and to vacation spots!
Read on topics that pique your interest
Do you remember when we were young, our parents would come into our rooms and hover like helicopters when we’re doing something? If they saw us with a magazine or only Archies’ comics all the time, they’d say things like, “Can’t you read something more useful?” or “Have you done your homework yet?”. Well, that’s the best part about starting this habit when you’re all grown up – you can read just about anything you want to! The only slick tip here is to make sure that as far as possible, you choose to read about it over watching a video or reel instead! Okay…okay…at least, try.
Get uncomfortable
Last but not the least, read for business and for pleasure! Once you’re a pro reader or you’ve reached a point where you read everything in sight, turn to material that will expand your knowledge. Like personal finance. We all know how difficult a topic it is to explore with its different types of Credit Cards, Home Loans, and investment options out there. But you’ll thank yourself for it once you begin, because you’re going to love the power that comes with being aware! After all, not all financial information is necessarily boring information. We’ll link some great financial reading material for you in this article to show you what we mean!
Additional Reading: The One Financial Myth We Wish Everyone Knew About!
Now in closing…. great, that you’ve made it all the way here to the bottom of the article! And if you’re someone for whom this is a big accomplishment, we applaud you! We hope that this will be the beginning of one of the most rewarding habits you’ll ever develop in this lifetime. Because, think about it, why would the best minds out there attribute ‘reading’ to having a superpower? We think it’s because you get wayyyy more than what you came for! So, if you want somewhere easy to start, check out the blog section on BankBazaar – there’s so much information you can receive the fun way!