The Success behind the 5-Hour Rule

How to become a world-renowned leader? And what do those who are among them, like Barack Obama or Bill Gates, have in common? If you want to find out, read on. 

They devote their already limited free time to regular reading and constant self-education.

When studying, they follow the 5-hour rule to keep themselves on track for their set goals. 

How often do you pick up a book or listen to a podcast covering news in your field? Do you spend an hour a week doing so? Or 20 minutes a day? People today are too "busy" to read. They'd rather spend what little free time they have on social media, for example, than educate themselves. However, most successful people on the planet devote one to three hours a day to reading. 

The 5-hour rule is the foundation of successful business owners.

Are you hearing this term for the first time? Here's a brief introduction. The definition of this approach to studying is as "the time you set aside for self-education." It involves spreading out 5 hours of intentional learning into one workweek, devoting about 1 hour a day to reading or listening to a book (or podcast). It's time just for you, from which you won't be distracted by work or your surroundings. 

Read - Think - Experiment

Not sure how to get started? Where to find the time? Take it slowly, one thing at a time. If Barack Obama did it when he was president, or Bill Gates did it when he ran a billion-dollar company, you can do it too! 

Read: Start with reading for 20 to 30 minutes per day. Try to listen to podcasts and audiobooks during daily routines like exercising or driving. Take fifteen minutes during your lunch break and read a few pages. Even this little will give you 100 hours a year. 

Think: Keep a journal. If you focus on what you have (not) achieved so far, you will learn from past mistakes and are more likely to achieve your future goals. What can I take away from this chapter, and how can I apply it to my business? 

Experiment: experimentation can end up being quite successful. Allowing your employees to experiment can give you great ideas that work! If you keep repeating the same thing and live in a routine, you can't expect to see changes.

Knowledge is the new money. Their value is on the rise. You are constantly competing with other people who are learning every day. If you want to survive and grow in these times, you MUST keep learning. 

Take a look at this example. If you studied medicine in the 60s, you must educate yourself on the latest trends and approaches in medical care today. Most procedures back then had different treatments than they do now. The pharmaceutical industry and technology are still evolving, as are fields in other disciplines. Some, such as social media, were not even around a few years ago. 

Essential skills to help you master the knowledge economy

• Identifying valuable knowledge at the right time. 
• Quickly adapt and learn new approaches your industry can offer.
• The art of selling the value of your skills.
• Invest in training to get the highest return.
• And lastly, master the skill of learning new things quickly. 

What does all this mean? It takes very little to stay on top in your industry. And if you don't get stuck, big things are ahead of you in your career. 

Think big, don't be afraid, and you'll do great! Plus, your self-worth will keep growing.