Read It And Reap: Fact: Higher Earners Turn More Pages. Are You?

What did you read last month? What books, magazines, newsletters, summaries did you seek out, get delivered to your door, on your phone, that infused you with additional perspectives, ideas and general awareness about your profession, your industry, your world knowledge, your community, your customers, your future?

All the research continues to show higher wage earners read more than lower income earners. Ongoing, active readers continue to show stronger emotional health, better communication skills, develop more empathy, enhance concentration levels and most importantly: improved vocabulary. Vocabulary strength, as well continues to correlate with higher income earners. And important to note that watching news and cable news is not the same as deciding on a specific book or publication with the intention of reading and gathering ideas on your terms--not at the hands of the advertisers sponsoring the content you are being given to view.

As a long time avid reader, my parents were the first to encourage reading in our family. Book shelves full of biographies of great women and men, history books, fiction, self-help, travel, spirituality and fitness--a wide variety, ever present and featured against the walls of our living room and TV room. And to this day, I find reading to be one of the greatest joys and most enlightening parts of my days and evenings. As a executive recruiter, psychologist and writer, I consider it a critical part of my job description to keep up on current trends, science, technology, business best practices and industry shifts that all, ultimately influence how I do my job every day. As an author, if I can demonstrate my knowledge effectively, I gain the trust and confidence of other writers, for example. These writers then are more willing to endorse my content--stand up and say they respect my work. This ultimately affords me more influence with customers that feel more confident in my services because of this trust and endorsements. The results of constant reading has had a direct effect on my income, job satisfaction and performance, as well as developing new interests and enhancing current interests.

For example, my reading from last month is below. I share this list not to impress you but to impress upon you the potential of expanding your working vocabulary, as well as gain perspectives that allow you to better communicate with others; understand their viewpoints, as well as learn how you can better serve their needs in business and the solutions you provide.

Readings from my last month: 27 Wall Street Journal papers and 28 local papers, Chief Learning Officer, Breakthrough Recruiting, American Psychologist, Monitor on Psychology, AOPA, Flying, American Motorcyclist, Poets & Writers, Spirituality & Health, National Geographic, Aeronautical Knowledge for Aviators, Smithsonian, Emergency Medicine, First Freedom, USCCA Magazine, Sales Differentiation, Hemispheres Inflight Magazine, Golf Digest, Golf, Archaeology, Forbes, Inc. Bloomberg, Paris Travel Books (2), 10 Inc. Magazine articles, 20 LinkedIn articles, 10 Art-related articles, Art Institute of Chicago Magazine.

Most of these publications I read in the evenings, on planes, waiting for meetings, lunches, weekends. The end result is that I am more prepared to discuss a wider range of topics and have conversations that are more substantive and engaging, which may help my potential clients have more confidence in my ability to solve their problems. Or casual conversations with friends may generate new ideas for projects, travel or help each other worth through a difficult problem or life situation. Reading not only raises general awareness and mental functioning, but raises other's confidence in your ability to perform at a higher level, with confidence. Reading builds your skills, resilience and overall life satisfaction.

Oh, and reading will earn you more money. It is a fact. As you become more astute to the world around you; more cognizant to what others are needing, thinking and considering; more tuned in to the influencers in the world today that impact how you sell yourself, your company, your services, your commitment, you will achieve greater and faster success.

And, if you stuck with reading this article to this point, your already in the top percentile that read something of their own choice today to improve their overall position in life and start to enhance their income upward!

Reading takes time, takes commitment and takes energy to decide what to read and to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Look carefully at what activities you are doing now that you can eliminate or shorten to allow you time to pursue reading and professional/personal development. Reprioritize your energy and time to engage in study that will have a direct impact your life, compared to pursuing activities that entertain and stall other life-changing activities. The more you read outside of what you are familiar with, the more you grow, learn and develop a broader set of communication skills and perspectives, that again, lead to wealth and more life satisfaction.