Reading Habits of successful people – How to gain the most out of reading

Knowledge is Power. This saying goes a long way. It really is true, the world’s libraries and bookstores are full of wisdom and knowledge waiting to be discovered. The reading habits of successful people continue to put them ahead of the rest.

The most successful people reportedly spend hours daily reading and educating themselves. Moreover, they love to share and educate others about what they learn. Through this process of learning and sharing, they engrave this priceless knowledge in their own brain, ensuring that the time they spend on reading is an investment for their future.

So what are the reading habits of successful people?

Anyone can read, and some people read a lot but it doesn’t always mean they are successful or wealthy. There is a lot more to reading, and how you should do it if you want to gain the most out of the time spent reading. Below are some best reading habits of successful people that give them an edge over the rest.

Understanding why it is so important

The most successful people understand the importance of reading and do not read just as a mere hobby. I am not saying reading as a hobby is bad in any way. If you read as a pass time that is totally fine too. But, if you’re committed to spending multiple hours a day reading, it would be smart to understand the reason you are reading so much. 

By understanding the reason, you are more likely to cultivate the reading habits of successful people. 

Choosing the right mix of books to read

You could read a book a week and not know much about the things that gear you towards success. The type of books you read are also very important. Reading novels, biographies and fiction may be enjoyable but the real knowledge you are seeking are in other genres such as personal development, habit formation, business, finance etc. 

Successful people maintain a healthy mix of books they read throughout the year ensuring both  keeping up with the habit while gaining a vast amount of knowledge.

Setting goals

Like any other habit, reading also requires planning, effort and consistency. After all, you aspire to cultivate the reading habits of successful people. You dont want to start a book only to pick it up once a week and take half a year to complete it.

Hence it is important you set a goal of how many books per year and amount of daily reading you can commit to.

Dedicating reading hours

You see people reading anytime and anywhere. While reading for leisure like this is a great way to keep yourself up to date with the latest news, reading for true knowledge and understanding requires more focus.

The most successful people in the world have dedicated reading hours such as early morning and before bed to ensure that their reading time is without distractions enabling them to have a better understanding of what they read. 

Being flexible 

While it’s important to have dedicated time to read every day, we all get busy sometimes and have to go off schedule to make time for urgent things that come up. This doesn’t mean you should skip reading that day. Instead, the most successful people are flexible and sometimes read on the go as well.

Catching up on news, latest business trends and ideas is an excellent way to utilize some time when you are traveling or on the go.

Thinking critically & asking questions

Reading for leisure is definitely very enjoyable. But the most successful people take the time to think critically and question what they read to have a better understanding. This is one of the most important reading habits of successful people that sets them apart. By thinking critically about what they read, they develop a better understanding of the subject. 

Lessons to be learned from the reading habits of successful people

I have taken the time to do a little research into the lives of some of the most successful people on the planet to understand what their reading habits are like and what we can learn from them.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk as we know is one of the richest people in the world and a successful entrepreneur who has founded some of the most innovative companies in history. Before he became a successful entrepreneur and founder of multiple companies, Elon Musk was reading up to 10 hours a day. 

He has gained a vast amount of confidence and skills through reading which has helped him become the successful entrepreneur he is today.

Warren Buffet 

One of the most successful investors and businessmen of all time Warren Buffet reportedly spends up to 80 percent of his working day reading books, news, and business documents.

He has said that knowledge builds up like compound interest and attests to reading for a lot of success in his life. 

He also credits reading and thinking for his well thought through decisions in life and business which ultimately translate into success.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates needs no introduction, he was the richest person in the world for a really long time. Nowadays, he spends more time doing philanthropy work through his foundation. 

Bill Gates’s biggest advice to young people is to read a lot and discover a skill that they enjoy. He believes that reading is essential to discover a variety of interests that you can use to make a difference in the world. He reads up to 50 books per year and takes a collection of books when he goes on vacation.

Through the advice of the above and so many more successful people in the world, it is very clear that reading is one of the best habits you can cultivate as a young person if you want to become successful too. 

Today, it is even easier to gain access to a vast amount of books, articles, research papers and news that can keep you educated, well informed and make you smarter every day. Remember it is the daily reading that will build up over time giving you the knowledge you need to make smarter decisions in life and become the success you were meant to be.