In our high-tech society today, too many people are relying on technology to meet all of their educational and personal growth needs. They believe all they need to do is press those buttons and they've got the answers to everything.

There is much that can be said about the benefits of the electronic age, but the computer between our ears is still the greatest, especially in the area of creativity. Ongoing creativity depends to a large degree on the input into our minds. We accumulate vast amounts of knowledge through observation, listening, reading and talking with people.

One of the most reliable and extensive source of information comes from the materials we read. We have access to some of the greatest minds in the world in any field in which we have an interest. We can read the brilliant men and women who have gone before us and who are still living with us. The question is whether we take advantage of this incredible resource.

Unfortunately, the answer for well over half of our people is no. Fifty-eight percent of all people in our society, when they finish their formal education, never read another meaningful book. That's unbelievably tragic and limiting. On the other side of the scale, those who make "Who's Who in America" read an average of 20 meaningful books in a year.

Obviously, in five years they will have read 100 books by authorities in many different fields. Not only does this give them information, but it also provides inspiration and keeps them on the "grow." In short, these are mature, progressive, successful, happy, healthy people. Obviously, this is not always true, but give me 100 readers vs. 100 non-readers and when you chart the courses of their lives, I can assure you that the readers are more successful in every area of life. So, become a reader, and I'll see you at the top!

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Subscribe to Zig Ziglar's free email newsletter through zigziglar.com.

Photo credit: at Pixabay