There’s no denying there are many benefits that come from reading a variety of books. However, have you ever thought about what reading books can do for your career? According to some of our agents, books have helped them become more confident and encouraged them to grow their skills.
The Power of Sharing Books with Your Team
Information is power and sharing that information with your team can help improve everyone's performance. By sharing information and knowledge with your team, you’re helping to empower these individuals to take charge and figure out how to connect with their tasks in an effective way.
Sharing a book with your team can benefit not just your organization, but your client/members. Agents encounter all types of personalities in their work throughout the community, and by reading different types of literature, you can better understand a person’s preferences and interests.
Agent-Recommended Books
So what are some recommended books that a new Farm Bureau agent should read? Check out the list below:
Jason High, an agent in Kansas, shared this as his favorite business book. “The book gives you the right mindset and a way to be successful in anything you do.”
The book really helped me build confidence and destroy fear. It can be easy to get side-tracked in the sales industry, but if you train your brain to think about success, then it will come with hard work,” said Armando Vargas, an agent in Nebraska.
Gordon Knudsen, an agent located in Utah, had this to say about this inspirational book: “Steve Young’s book motivated me to see how much adversity he went through that no one really knew about. But through it all and his sheer determination, he won 2 Super Bowls and was elected to the Football Hall of Fame.”
It’s filled with so many takeaways and encouraging tips for new salespeople,” said Kelly Neufeld, a Kansas agent.
What did Tim Lundgren, an Iowa agent, have to say about this famous inspirational novel? “It’s a short story, but it reminds all of us our ultimate responsibility is to get the job done, no matter the obstacle. It’s powerful, meaningful, and necessary. And if you read with seriousness, it will direct your daily activities forever.”
Benefits of Reading
There are a plethora of benefits that come with sitting down and reading a good book. What are some that we found? Take a look.
Reading is Relaxing
Feeling a little bit stressed lately? Curling up with a good book can help. Research done at the University of Sussex found that reading was an effective way to beat stress. Reading as a stress reliever even beat out listening to music, drinking a cup of coffee and taking a walk.
Reading Helps Keep the Brain Sharp
According to the Neurology Journal, reading helps keep the brain functioning at its highest levels, especially in old age. This research found that in older participants who took part in mentally stimulating activities, like reading, experienced slower memory decline than their counterparts.
Reading Can Help You Sleep
Sleep experts state that an individual should establish a de-stressing routine before going to bed. As mentioned above, reading is a great relaxer. Remember to dim the lights if you’re using an e-reader. Bright lights signal the brain that it’s time to wake up instead of unwind.
Readers are Goal Setters
When a person sits down to read, they often set a goal for themselves. Whether it’s reading a specific amount of pages before moving onto their next task or reading until they fully understand a concept, they’re trying to actively accomplish something while reading.
Readers Take Time to Reflect
Those who enjoy reading like to take time to reflect on what he or she has just read. Taking a moment to reflect on what you just read allows the individual the ability to understand what can be done with what they just learned.
Habits of Those Who Read Frequently
Some of the world’s most successful people all have reading as a common hobby. When Warren Buffett was asked what the key to his success was, his answer was simple: he reads 500-plus pages a day and devotes almost 80% of his day to reading; and he’s not alone. Many of today’s biggest entrepreneurs, like Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk and Bill Gates include reading as a part of their daily life. According to author Tom Corley, most successful individuals choose to read educational or business books as opposed to novels.
Become a Farm Bureau Agent
No matter what you read, whether it’s a business book, a novel, an autobiography or a journal, reading can help benefit individuals and help them develop successful habits. Farm Bureau agents often read to help connect with their prospects and client/members and develop their skills. Are you ready to become an insurance agent? Don’t hesitate. Kickstart your insurance career by becoming a Farm Bureau agent!