Paid to Read

My kids are particpating in the local library's summer reading program. For every 30 minutes of reading, they get to mark off some fish until they finally swim to reach their goal. If they reach their goal, I think they get one of those prizes that you can get for lile $.40 from Oriental Trading, but it's the thought that counts.

I thought back to one of my summers growing up as a kid when my mom paid me for every book I read that summer. I don't remember the amount per book, but it was enough to motivate me to read something like 8 books that summer. I still remember one that I read about a journalist who spent the summer attending minor league baseball games across the country- a very insightful read. I think at the time I was a bit taken back as if it wasn't possible to make money while reading. But my mom was a genius. It didn't cost her too much- well maybe at the time, it did, but looking back the sum couldn't be that great- and it inspired me to continue to read and learn.

I think successful people in some ways are those who are paid to read. Now, I don't mean that successful people actually show up at an office or punch a time clock and start reading. I spend very little, if any, of my office time actually reading a book. But I think those make an impact, those who lead in their schools, businesses, organizations, homes, etc are paid to read. They might actually spend very little of their 'work' time reading, but no doubt they read. They read when at the gym, on a trip or an airplane, in the morning and before bed. I believe the time and investment one makes in reading always pays off, whether you're paid to do it or not.