How Successful Entrepreneurs Make Time for Reading

Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is a testament to the power of reading and continuous learning. His success often stems from his ability to allocate time for reading, which he views as a crucial part of his daily routine. This article explores how Cuban and other successful entrepreneurs make time for reading and the benefits they derive from this habit.

Mark Cuban's Approach to Reading

Mark Cuban emphasizes the importance of prioritizing reading as a key activity. He believes that reading is essential for both personal and professional growth. This mindset fuels his commitment to making time for reading in his daily life.

Prioritization: Cuban prioritizes reading by viewing it as a non-negotiable part of his routine. This means that he consistently makes time for reading, even if he has a busy schedule. Time Management: Cuban is known for his organizational skills, allowing him to fit reading into his schedule, whether it is during commutes, breaks, or before bed. Diverse Formats: He utilizes various formats for consuming information, including audiobooks and eBooks, making reading more flexible and accommodating to a busy lifestyle. CURIOSITY AND LEARNING: His intrinsic curiosity drives him to read widely across different subjects, such as business, technology, and personal development. This motivation helps him find the time and energy to dive into new material. Daily Habits: Cuban has mentioned reading several books at a time and setting yearly goals for the number of books he aims to read.

Why Mark Cuban Is Not Unique

It is important to note that Mark Cuban is not the only successful entrepreneur who makes time for reading. The key difference is that he has made it a priority and has invested his time in this activity because he sees it as valuable.

Popular blogger Will Bunker highlights the fact that everyone has the same 24 hours in a day as Mark Cuban does. The distinction lies in how each individual allocates their time. Successful individuals, like Mark Cuban, invest their time in activities that offer a high return on investment (ROI), such as reading.

The Value of Reading

Reading offers a wealth of value that is often undervalued. Consider the benefits:

Wisdom from Others: Books provide insights from experts who have years of experience and have made mistakes along the way. They share what they have learned, saving you years of experience and potentially costly mistakes. Efficiency: Reading is an efficient way to grow and learn as a human being. Unlike other learning methods, reading allows you to absorb large amounts of information quickly. Time Management: By reading, you can leverage the accumulated knowledge of others, saving you time and resources that would otherwise be spent on trial and error.

A Personal Example of the Power of Reading

Mark Cuban is far from unique in his reading habits. For the past 30 years, he has managed to read two or three books a week. Similarly, you can too. The value of reading lies in its ability to provide wisdom from those who have spent years learning and sharing their knowledge.

Consider this practical example: In 1995, I had to read close to 100 books to build a successful business. We raised only $90,000, whereas the founders of Match raised $10 million. Building a website at the time cost over $1 million because very few people knew how to do it. However, by reading countless books, I was able to stay ahead of the curve and build a competitive business with limited resources.

To psyche myself up to read so many books, I would get quotes for other work that cost much more. For example, when our database froze up, a "tuneup" cost $20,000. However, a book on the same topic cost only $45. I constantly reminded myself, "What else can I do for $20,000 this week?"

The Bottom Line

Every successful person is busy, but they find time to read because they view it as a valuable investment in themselves. Mark Cuban is a prime example of this. By prioritizing and making time for reading, he has been able to grow both personally and professionally. Despite being busy, he still makes time for reading because it is the most efficient way for him to grow as a human being.

So whether you are an entrepreneur, a professional, or simply someone looking to learn and grow, make time for reading. It is an investment in your future that can pay off in many unexpected ways.