Don Roulo is the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) of Life Quest. He is a life, career and business coach as well as a Certified 48 Days Workshop Facilitator. He travels nationally and internationally to conduct business and career training as well as marriage and family workshops.

By DON ROULO

This is the second in a two part series. (See first part)

Will you be happy if you are living the same life 5 years from now?

Let’s look at our foundational quote from last week. Charlie ‘Tremendous’ Jones said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

Last week I discussed in detail how important it is to surround yourself with people you want to be like. Today I want to focus on how books, or information, you allow into your life will determine your future.

Not all that long ago books were the only or the main source for information into our lives. With today’s technology, that has certainly changed drastically. When I say books, I mean more than the traditional book you read. In reality, books now include articles, podcasts, e-books, blogs and any other form of input from any type of technology you have in your life.

The books you read, whether they be academic, personal development or simply for pleasure, are making an impact in your life and your future. I have the pleasure of meeting Peter J. Daniels. Mr. Daniels is an Australian billionaire who has literally had a ‘rags to riches’ life. It was not an overnight success story. Today he is a businessman, author and speaker. Dr. Norma Vincent Peale has described Mr. Daniels as ‘the best speaker in the world.’

Mr. Daniels came from an impoverished background. He was illiterate through his younger years until he eventually taught himself to read. He failed every grade in school and ended up a brick-layer. His family life was virtually non-existent. They were third generation recipients of welfare and he had four fathers and two mothers. Many of his family members ended up in jail.

I tell you Mr. Daniels’ story because one main reason he gives for his success is the fact he taught himself to read. I have left out an important detail which still leaves me in awe.  Not only did Mr. Daniels teach himself to read, but he has read over 6000 biographies. I did not have a typing error in the last sentence.  Mr. Daniels has read over 6000 biographies.

He has learned from the mistakes and successes of others. He will tell anyone who listens, one of the main reasons for his eventual success was he gave himself to reading, so he can change and expand his way of thinking. I can think of no greater example of how reading will change your future than Mr. Daniels.

Do you have to read or listen to 6000 biographies? No. However, if you want your future to be different than your present, you will want to read, listen or watch things which inform and inspire you. You must avail yourself to things which will expand and change the way you think.

About the Author
Don Roulo is a life, career and business coach as well as a Certified 48 Days Workshop Facilitator. He travels nationally and internationally to conduct business and career training as well as marriage and family workshops.

As a business consultant, he has written business plans and worked to market products or services as well as organizing financial statements for investors. Because of his success in the sales and business arena, Don has been blessed with the opportunity to train, motivate and inspire others. His passion is to motivate and equip people to find their passion and achieve their goals and God given destiny.