by Trevor Hammond
For many years I have based personal and business decisions on this philosophy:
“Who you are ten years from now will be a result of the books you read and the people you spend time with.”
This quote is an adaptation of the one by Charles Tremendous Jones, and has been a guiding principle for me as I’ve worked hard to surround myself with the people who represent where I want to go (rather than where I’ve been). But for this article’s purpose, let’s focus on the reading part of this philosophy. And I don’t mean fun, fiction books! (Though I enjoy them each night before going to sleep.)
My 2015 Reading Accomplishments
In 2015 I had big goals on reading a lot of books on personal and 
business growth. As the visionary for my company and team, as well as a coach to many, a husband, a father, etc. reading great non-fiction books gives me the fuel to grow in all areas of my life.
As you can see in the picture, I made some great progress!
Interesting Statistics
- 33% of High School Graduates never read another book the rest of their lives
- 42% of college grads never read another book after college
- 80% of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year
In addition, according to Grant Cardone in his book, “The 10x Rule”, the most successful CEOs are reported to read an average of 60 books per year…whereas the average American worker reads an average of less than one book and makes 319 times less income.
My books for 2016
Now looking ahead to 2016, I have chosen key books that I hope will continue to play a big role in my continued growth and leadership capabilities. One of my rules is to only choose books that have come highly recommended.
What books will YOU read in 2016? When will you block out time in your days to work on your own personal growth by reading? I would love to hear!