Today’s Mandala Message: Readers make Leaders
This week I’m working through Principles #36 and #37 from Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles” entitled “Learn More Earn More” and “Stay Motivated with the Masters”. I set my intention today to ponder reading more productively. Canfield shares: “[Jim Rohn] taught me that if you were to read one book a week, in 10 years you’d have read 520 books and in 20 years more than 1,000 books—enough to easily put you in the top 1% of experts in your field.” One of his mentors, W. Clement Stone suggested reading anything productive…”Read inspirational autobiographies of successful people. Read books on psychology, sales, finance, and health. Study the principles of successful living.”
I know I could spend more time productively reading unfortunately I let myself get distracted by other stimuli: social media, youtube, tv, etc. Over the past few weeks of going through these principles, I’m learning to be more selective with my time.
Also, reading these days is more challenging for me, I have trouble focusing for any length of time. I noticed the change after I got The Covid during the initial wave. While Canfield suggests reading 1 hour a day, I could aim for 15 minutes and over time build up to 1 hour. I do recognize the value of reading the types of books he suggests, at the same time a part of me thinks that that time could be better spent playing with my art supplies.
A good mindfulness practice would be to take time to read.
So what about you? What’s your stance on reading? To you like to read or do you prefer audio books? Either way, to you spend any of your “reading” time on productive books?
“Think before you speak.
— Fran Lebowitz
Read before you think.”
Blessings,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
All Things Mandalas
An Invitation
I invite you to color along with me this year as part of what I’m calling “The Year of Self-Exploration and Expansion” with all of my “Mandalas of the ___” (day, week, month, year). If you’re interested in more of a self-exploration approach to coloring, check out my “Coloring Mandalas as Meditation”. You can download this mandala at MandalaoftheWeek.com.
Mandala of the Day 