Know More Do More

We stress to our children the importance ofnewspaper. This includes:o 1 in 12 White 17 year
education but some how we forget itsolds,o 1 in 50 Latino 17 year olds, ando 1 in 100
importance as we grow up. We know that weAfrican American 17 year olds.
should read but always seem to find ways not to.What this means in a nut shell is that not only can
How are you going to be successful in life whenour adults not read but neither can our children. It
you will not pick up a book and read it? If youis time that we as parents sit down with our
want to keep a group of people ignorant just putchildren and develop great reading habits at home.
the information they need in a book.All successful business owners and million dollar
Most people will not read anything of value unlessproducers are readers. You can not succeed if
they have to. They prefer to read magazinesyou will not read. It takes knowledge to master
that discuss gossip, hobbies, and celebrity lifestylesthe art of your craft.
over business and financial success principals.You must fill your mind with useful information if
Those who will read on a regular basis wouldyou want to be the best in your industry. Stay
much rather read a fiction book that is fill withahead of the competition by reading books on a
awe than a thought provoking book filled withregular schedule. Know that you are setting a
changed.bench mark for other to reach for because of
Research by the National Institute for literacythe knowledge that you have.
shows the following to be true:I personally read a book a week along with an
Ages 9-17additional one with my book of the month club.
The ability to read and understand complicatedThis year I have set a goal to read at least sixty
information is important to success in college and,four books. I am already ahead of schedule. I
increasingly, in the workplace. An analysis of theenjoy reading now because I understand the
NAEP long-term trend reading assessmentsvalue that it adds to my business and personal life.
reveals that only half of all White 17 year olds,The truth is a person that is willing to read is a
less than one-quarter of Latino 17 year olds, andperson who desires success. You won't be able to
less than one-fifth of African American 17 yearhelp increasing your personal production if you
olds can read at this level.increase your personal consumption. Show me a
By age 17, only about 1 in 17 seventeen year oldsperson who reads and I will show you a person
can read and gain information from specializedwho will succeed.
text, for example the science section in the local© 2007 Michael E. Carter Jr.