| When I was a new graduate from college, with a firm | | | | completed college. Yet every single one of these |
| hand on a diploma stating I had a Masters degree in | | | | people became very successful in their lifetime. Why? |
| Finance, I was convinced I was now ready to conquer | | | | Because they had a thirst for knowledge, and learned |
| the world. Surely I would have my choice of positions, | | | | what was important to them in any way they can. |
| and could pave my way to wealth, simple by holding | | | | They read. They studied under mentors. They |
| that degree. I was done studying. Done reading those | | | | educated themselves with happenings in the world |
| boring books forever. Never again would I spend night | | | | around them. And they NEVER gave up on the formal |
| after night pouring over a book that didn’t have | | | | education of life. |
| the word romance in the title. | | | | My current education goal? First, to read one |
| So happily I moved down the path of life, and took a | | | | non-fiction book a week for the rest of my life. Just by |
| banking position. Followed by an accounting position. | | | | following through on this simple goal, I will have read 52 |
| Followed by an auditing position. And then I began | | | | books by the end of the year, 260 books in 5 years, |
| taking a serious look at my life. Was this really what | | | | and over 1300 books in 25 years! Second, to always |
| school had taught me? Wasn’t there more to | | | | have at least one mentor that can teach me new |
| life than simply holding a job? How was I supposed to | | | | ideas. Mentors can be personal friends and |
| find my true calling? | | | | acquaintances, or can be high-powered mentors in |
| I began sitting at my desk contemplating my future. | | | | which you learn through their books and seminars. Both |
| Surely there were others out there like me that began | | | | have an important place in your life. Both should be |
| to question their fate. That suddenly decided that their | | | | used continuously to change the way you think and |
| lives simply weren’t working for them anymore, | | | | act. What an education! |
| and that a big change was necessary. Or was I alone | | | | Your Action Step For The Week |
| in this quest? | | | | Discover The Importance of Education |
| The funny thing about a quest is once you set your | | | | Commit yourself to education. Begin in the simplest |
| mind to something, it’s easy to find your | | | | way possible: read! One of the best investments you |
| answers. And the easiest way to find the answers is | | | | can ever make for yourself is to go to your local |
| in writing. Books and magazines became my best | | | | library, and get a library card. Then begin checking out |
| friends. I began to read everything and anything; from | | | | books regularly. If you haven’t been lately, you |
| self-help to business help. I began to get a new type of | | | | may be surprised. One of our local libraries now carries |
| education. An education from listening to what others | | | | multiple copies of the bestsellers, and carries |
| had to say about success, life, and the general pursuit | | | | dvd’s, magazines, and CD and tapes for |
| of happiness. And I discovered the importance of a | | | | checkout. |
| great education, not just an institutionalized education. | | | | How do you find good books? Check your bestseller |
| A great education begins with the desire to learn. As | | | | lists. You can find them in the New York Times, the |
| long as that desire exists inside of you, you can literally | | | | Wall Street Journal, or even on Amazon. If a book |
| conquer anything. | | | | makes these lists, there must be a reason. I monitor |
| Education is one of my favorite topics. Knowledge is | | | | these lists every week, and make sure I’ve |
| the key to success. It can unlock any door you | | | | read the books on both the non-fiction and the |
| choose. Simply by wanting to learn, and following | | | | business lists. Better yet, watch my On The Nightstand |
| through with the act of learning, you can become | | | | column every week. I monitor the bestseller lists, and |
| anything you dream. And education is so easily | | | | choose classics that I enjoy and have helped me in to |
| achieved! Literally anyone can receive intense, | | | | success! |
| specialized knowledge if they so desire. Education is | | | | Build your library! When I find a great book that I enjoy, |
| not synonymous with formal training. Education is | | | | or that offers a wealth of information, I buy it and add |
| simple the desire to learn. And there are so many | | | | it to my library. Even if you buy 52 books a year, |
| ways to learn! | | | | averaging $15 a book, that’s an investment of |
| Thomas A. Edison had only three months of formal | | | | $780 into your education. That’s less than most |
| education during his entire lifetime. Henry Ford had less | | | | college courses! What an investment! |
| than a sixth grade education. Bill Gates never | | | | Check out the bestseller list! |