In one of my favorite books, The Pledge, by Michael Masterson, the author reports that the average American reads one book per year.
It may not be that bad. According to the Pew Research Center, the average American in 2013 read a book a month.
What about “above average Americans”? According to the site, Rich Habits, the average millionaire reads a couple of books a month, or 24 books a year.
Author Brendon Burchard claims to have read a book a week for the last 20 years.
Using the sources above and using Brendon Burchard’s 20-year benchmark, here is how the numbers stack up.
- 20 years = 20 books (The Pledge)
- 20 years = 240 books (The Pew Research Center)
- 20 years = 480 books (Rich Habits)
- 20 years = 1,040 books (Brendon Burchard)
Want to stand out in your chosen field of expertise? It’s a simple numbers game.
If the average person in your chosen field of expertise reads a book a year, or a book a month, and you read a book a week… who is eventually going to stand out?
It’s simple math. You are.
Devote an hour each day to learning by reading and you are going to set yourself apart.
In time (and it may be sooner than you think) you will move into the top half of your field.
Keep reading. You will move into the top 20% of your field. You will stand out.
Keep reading. Eventually, you will move into the top 20% of the top 20%. In other words, you will move into the top 4% of your field. You will very likely be recognized as an expert.
Perhaps you are thinking… 20 years? That’s a long time!
So, what? 20 years is going to pass whether you want it to pass, or not. You might as well have something to show for it.
As Tony Robbins says, “Most people overestimate what they can do in a year, and underestimate what they can do in two or three decades.”
By the way, I also recommend you write about what you are reading. In this way, you also develop your writing skills.
I read a lot. But, for some dumb reason, I have not been blogging about the books I read. Until recently. I am a slow learner, I suppose.
Anyway, I am now reviewing books on my site and will continue to do so. I recommend you do the same.
You can check out my reviews here: https://dwanethomas.com/bookreviews/
So, turn the T.V. off. Turn Netflix off. You can always watch “Some Dumb Movie 3” later.
Stand out. Grab a book instead.
Have a happy Saturday!
Dwane Thomas
