They say that reading extensively is a habit that may take you to the top. Business books can help you develop with targeted information and advice, but how can busy women stay on top of their business reading?
We all know the famous quote from Warren Buffet “Read 500 pages […] every day. That’s how knowledge works.” He allegedly still dedicates 80% of his time to reading even today, so he probably knows what he’s talking about. Of course, Warren Buffet is not the only successful figure who says reading is the basis of their fame. Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and others of the same caliber are also in the reading club.
So, does business reading really work? Well, reading is just the first step towards success. Through reading (non-fiction books and resources), you accumulate knowledge, but the next step is also important. To get successful in your field, you have to apply the knowledge to the real world in an attempt to improve and refine.
Therefore, if you want to improve your business, it’s never too late to start reading. It will help enlarge your knowledge database and it may lead to new connections (with authors and readers).
How to Find Time for Reading Business Books
It is truly intimidating to learn that busy people like high-end CEOs and business managers find the time to read and stay up to date with the trends. After all, they are some of the busiest people on the planet. So how do they find the time to read? Don’t they have 24h in a day like the rest of us?
They do. And they are not super-humans. They are just very efficient with their time management and habit building. For instance, if they have 5 minutes free before a meeting, they use the time to read up a page or two. Keep in mind that these people are versed readers who can focus their attention on the task at hand. This doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You just need to practice.
Moreover, in today’s day and age, you don’t have to carry a book or a Kindle everywhere you go. Since you have a smartphone always on you, it’s easier to work with PDF files. So, whenever you find an interesting online article or paper, save it as a PDF and merge everything into one file using a tool like PDF Simpli. This way, you’ll have an interesting read with you, wherever you go. And, you can turn off the WiFi to avoid temptations.
What to Read?
Besides finding time, the topic of your reading materials is equally important. There are lots of benefits to reading for pleasure (for one, it’s incredibly fun and relaxing), but if you’re looking to move up the corporate ladder or advance your business, it’s best to focus on topics that provide useful guidance and knowledge.
Business Improvement & Communication Tips
Someone who wants to make the business process smoother will benefit from reading about how to improve the business process management and how to communicate with employees or colleagues to make sure their message goes through.
Autobiographies & Biographies
If the resources are readily available, why not learn from someone who went the same path as you and succeeded?
The rich and famous tend to obsess over biographies and autobiographies of other rich people (even when they’re not from the same field of activity). These reading materials help them discover different ways of thinking and looking at the world.
A Few Recommendations for Business Books
Former US President Barack Obama listed “Parting the Waters: America in the King Years” by Taylor Branch on his list of favorite reads. On the other hand, Bill Gates (a philanthropist and a bit of a gearhead) likes “The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined”. And finally, Warren Buffet lists “The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron” by Bethany McLean as one of his favorites.
Of course, they also read fiction (Barack Obama is a fan of Moby Dick). However, they do so because they find those literary works inspiring and driving. So, they don’t read just for entertainment – there is always a lesson to learn!
