Gene Simmons of KISS was asked a few years ago what was the one thing he attributed his success to? He said, without hesitation, ”I read everything I can get my hands on.”
I loved that answer. I am who I am and I do what I do because I read and I’ve never stopped learning.
Early on, I devoured the entire Nancy Drew series. From that, I believe I learned to research and solve.
A friend of my grandmother’s, Mrs. DePhillipi, traveled the world and brought me several books. From those books, I traveled the world without ever leaving 6738 Hendon in Houston, Texas.
In high school, because I actually read the curriculum requirements, I figured out I could graduate early and head off to college at 16. In my teens, I had a college ID, an apartment and a boyfriend in a band. Because I read, life was good.
In college, I discovered my passion for radio. And, I’ve always said that I really didn’t play Stairway to Heaven or Freebird any different than anyone else and I gave the same weather forecast. What I did do that was different was read and continue to learn. And because I read, I always had something to talk about. I also recognized opportunities to grow my name which was my “brand”. I was successful in Houston radio for over 20 years. Because I read, I was paid (handsomely) to play music and hang out. I read the industry trade papers and learned how to network with the right people to succeed.
In the 90’s, I began to read and learn about this new thing they called email and the Internet eventually starting my own e-commerce operation. I sold The Space Store for a half a million dollars in 2000, the same month Newsweek declared the dot.com boom dead. I apparently ‘didn’t get the memo.’
To this day, I read and continue to learn. I wrote a book to pass on what I had already read and learned. That created a successful motivational speaking career.
I began to read and learn about Social Media a couple of years ago. I now get paid to hang out on Facebook and Twitter and teach others how to use social media. This is a good job.
Ahh but, the times, to quote an old rock star, they are a changin’.
I still read and learn. But differently.
I said I could never give up my newspaper and cup of coffee in the mornings. The cup of coffee remains but the newspapers were replaced long ago by apps on my phone for CNN, the Houston Chronicle, AP Newswire, local TV and more.
Then I said I could never trade the feel of a real book in for a Kindle. We now have two Kindles in the house and I may have to buy a third if no one learns to share.
The future? Apparently I’m getting an iPad for Mother’s Day to put on the coffee table with all our favorite magazines, newspapers, photos and books loaded onto it.
All along the way, from Nancy Drew to the latest Apple gadget, I have continued to read and learn.
Reading has rocked my world. Daily.
How about your world?
Read and rock on!
