Getting Smarter

There are two commonly held human feelings that people will go to great lengths the gain.  One is the feeling of being beautiful.  Billions of dollars are spent every year on products that promise to make people feel beautiful.  The other belief is that of being smart.  Where you can only do so much about beauty, becoming smarter is not that difficult.  It will take a bit of work, but to the diligent person, there are no limits on how smart they can become.

                There is one product that is indispensable in the pursuit of smart; it is tied to every method, technique, and skill.  That product is a book.  Of all the inventions throughout the history of the human race, none has been a firm foundation for growth, learning, development, education, skill sets, and careers than books.  So let us look at five ways that you can become a smarter and better person.

"I now have one of the better libraries.  I admit that I haven’t read everything in my library, but I feel smarter just walking in it."

- Jim Rohn

(1930-2009)

Author/Speaker

#1.  Read Old Books

                We live in a day when the knowledge of the ages, the teaching of the greatest minds who have ever lived are available to us all.  Only a few hundred years ago, to have a book was costly and very uncommon.  Ever the great thinkers and inventors of the time were limited to several books they possessed.  Today, we have millions of public libraries, bookstores and the wonder of the internet. 

                Some of the most helpful books are old and have been around for generations.  I suggest that you do a bit of research in your area of interest and find the books that are classics for that study.  Go to old bookstores where you can get used books for a fraction of the cost of new ones.  This way, you can build a library quickly and find some of the best books ever written.

#2.  Read New Books

                One of the wonderful things about knowledge is that it never stops.  New books are being written and published all the time.  Again, do a bit of research.  Who are the experts in your field of interest?  What have they written?  Get the books that interest you and read them.  One of the reasons I prefer to buy books rather than borrow them from the library or a friend is that I write in books.  Take notes and underline portions that speak to you.  This way, you can always go back to them when needed.

#3.  Read Every Day

                Never fall into or use the old excuse of, “I do not have time to read.”  You can find all kinds of time is you are willing to do a bit of reading.  You do not have to read a book cover to cover each day to make reading a regular part of what you do.  By just reading a few minutes every day, you will be amazed at just how much you can read.  Never go anywhere without reading the material.  Standing in line, waiting for appointments, and the like are wonderful times to do a bit of reading.  Now that we have smartphones and tablets, reading is easier than ever.

#4.  Read to Learn

                Read with a purpose.  If there is an area of study that interests you, if you have a career you are pursuing or if you are trying to discover something new, find books that are in your area and focus on them.  You can learn anything from a new language to how to fly a plane in books.  Make a list of the books you want to read and get going.  By reading with a purpose, you can become an expert in any field in a short amount of time.

#5.  Read For Fun

                Many people don’t care for reading because they think it is an unpleasant and thankless task.  Reading can and should be fun and full of adventure.  Where it is good to read and study topics that interest you, take some time for just fun reading.  There is so much wonderful fiction out there that you deny yourself if you do not read some.  You can be interested in science fiction, comedy, romance or high adventure, no matter, there are books that will thrill and excite you.  The world is full of books, and you only have to dive in.

                Allow me to close with the wise and thought-provoking words of author Mark Twain who said, “A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read.”

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey.  To get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.    

© 2019 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.