The United States is probably the most powerful country on the entire planet. Whether we are talking financially, technologically or military. The United States has one of the most powerful military power there is, with more than 600 military bases all around the world, and despite that, the minute you join the US military and you walk into the class, the first thing they are going to talk about is a book that was written 2500 years ago, "The Art of War", published in the 5th century BC.
Why would one of the most powerful country in the 21st century that has soo much experience go back to a time soo old? That's what makes books so great.
Humanity is always evolving, and the most important knowledge was always written down in books and kept together so the next generation is able to access that knowledge.
In other words, books are the key to knowledge and knowledge leads to progress and fortunately, that tradition still goes on and on.
Books are not just simple information written down, it's very organized ideas compiled together and written down in the most accurate way possible.
And that is where books counter the internet.
Videos and articles are set up in a way to entertain you, and not to help you, so you watch more and more, and that's how they generate income, while books have the goal to help you develop yourself.
What people don't understand is that books, especially self-help books, you are not only given information but rather practical ideas that are presented to you in a clear way, so you can apply them directly in your life.
Books are there to help you in life's most challenging problems just like depression, sadness, relationships, business, everything you can imagine.
People are always complaining, saying that "If Warren Buffet would have taught me and guided me, I would already be a billionaire. But I am not that lucky..." Good news for you, you are that lucky.
Almost every single successful person has spent days, months, years, writing down all their ideas, their secret to success, how they started, their mistakes, their advice. They didn't simply write them down, they summarized them and organized in the best way possible, so we can understand everything perfectly.
Books are the best investment we can make. For just 10$/15$/20$ you can be reading every rich mans thought, lessons that took them 15+ years to learn.
So, stop complaining that you can't get a mentor, or that you are not lucky enough to speak to Warren Buffet, and start doing your research. Find the kinds of book you love, you have soo many categories to choose from, like Business, Biographies, Technology or a simple story. Get your passion, start reading.
And the best part, you can have as many mentors as you want, even those who aren't alive anymore. Their books are still in the shelf, you only have to look for them.
But I can also tell you that not every single book is great. There are tons of books that are useless and a complete waste of time.
We can categorize them into three types:
- Great books- Books that are full of wisdom and life-changing ideas and hopefully will be read by our next generations, just like the art of war.
- Good books- That give us good advice, books that can put a smile on our face. But they are not as good as the great ones.
- Bad book- Books that are a complete waste of time. Books that I even don't know why they were published and this is why it's extremely important that you do a previous research before you pick up your book.
I understand that reading, for people who aren't used to it, isn't easy, but if you never try, you will never do it. I know it is not the most enjoyable thing to do, and it can actually get extremely boring (if you are reading "bad" books) and if you are not used to it. If you read more and more, it will become a habit, and you will find it much easier to read.
So, my advice to you is, make your research, find your main theme, get a book, fall in love for it, and become wiser.
Until next time!
Rafael Kimmel
