Mark Twain was a wise man who said this.
Many decades later, though, someone on social media said:
“I do not read books. I do not workout. But hey, I am cool.”
The social media has democratised communication and access. This also comes with the choice for us to pick whom to listen to. More importantly, whom not to listen to.
Coaches like George Raveling and Tim Grover have written about Michael Jordan in their books, on how he wanted to improve even the most little things in his game. One of the most loved chapters in James Clear’s Atomic Habits is the chapter of British cyclists — on how they went on to win a championship just by making tiny changes in their lifestyles. Clear also shares a similar story in the addendum workbook to this book. The best leaders I have witnessed in corporate rooms are always learning and doing new things, instead of merely being irresponsible towards learning.
Those are the kind of people you need to read. To purposefully surround yourself with.
And move on from “smart, cool and charismatic” people who lack the slightest courage to read books and workout.
You have a class. Forget it at your own peril.