Over 40% of adults in the U.S. don’t read a single book each year.

Let that sink in.

If you’ve got a book on your nightstand (and actually read it), that might sound crazy. But for a lot of people, learning stops when school ends.

Why?

Because life gets in the way. Work, emails, social media, Netflix—distractions pile up.

But here’s the truth: If you’re not actively learning, you’re selling yourself short.

The most successful men aren’t just disciplined. They never stop learning.

And the best part? You don’t need a degree or hours of study time. You just need a habit.

My 40 Percenter Wake-Up Call

The company I worked for had a unique policy—every employee had to read at least one book per quarter and write a report on it.

The owner built this into the company’s foundation after coming across a brutal stat: most adults never read. It hit him so hard that he made lifelong learning a core principle from day one.

When I joined the company 15 years later, that policy was still in place.

And for me? It was a wake-up call.

I started thinking about how many books I’d read in the past year. Or hell, the past decade.

I was a 40 percenter.

That realization flipped a switch. What started as a four-books-a-year requirement turned into an obsession.

I felt the same spark for learning I used to feel when I stumbled on a new favorite band in high school.

And the more I read, the more I wanted to read.

Turns out, lifelong learning isn’t about having time—it’s about making time.

Why Lifelong Learning Matters

✅ It Keeps Your Brain Sharp
Ever feel like you’re running on autopilot? Wake up, work, eat, sleep, repeat?

Learning breaks the cycle. It forces you to think, process, and engage—keeping you sharp instead of coasting.

✅ It Sets an Example for Your Kids
Your kids watch what you do more than what you say.

If they see you reading, learning, and staying curious, they’ll follow suit.

✅ It Keeps You Growing
The world moves fast. Technology shifts. Industries change.

If you’re not learning, you’re limiting yourself.

The Ripple Effects of Lifelong Learning

It Builds Confidence
The more you know, the more capable you feel.

• Learn about finance? Manage your money better.

• Learn about communication? Stronger conversations.

• Learn about health? Smarter choices.

Knowledge makes life easier.

It Strengthens Relationships
Learning isn’t a solo sport.

• Cook a new dish with your spouse.

• Build something with your kids.

• Read a book together with a friend and discuss it.

Shared experiences create stronger bonds.

It Makes Life More Fun
Lifelong learning isn’t about memorizing facts.

It’s about staying curious. Trying new things. Keeping life interesting.

The moment you stop learning is the moment you start coasting.

How I Approach Learning

Here’s the thing—I don’t read physical books.
I listen to audiobooks.

But I don’t multitask while listening. No chores (Ok, maybe washing dishes). No driving. No distractions.

For me, audiobooks = reading.

My Simple Rule: 30 Minutes a Day
At the start of the year, I pick 10 books I want to read.

I don’t speed-read. I don’t cram in 50 books a year.

I focus on quality over quantity.

🚫 No rushing through books just to check them off.
🚫 No skimming for quick takeaways.

30 minutes a day. That’s it.

Some days, I read more, but I do my damnedest to hit that 30-minute mark.

It keeps learning sustainable. And more importantly—it makes me better.

Want to see my picks for this year? Check them out here.

How to Make Learning a Habit (Even When You’re Busy)

1️⃣ Start Small

🚫 You don’t need to read War and Peace.

⏳ Just 10 minutes a day.

• Listen to an audiobook on your commute.

• Read a few pages before bed.

• Watch a 5-minute how-to video.

Make it ridiculously easy.

2️⃣ Work It Into Your Routine

Pair learning with something you already do.

• Listen to audiobooks with full focus—like you would a book.

• Read while drinking coffee.

• Swap social media scrolling for an article or book.

When learning fits into your routine, it becomes effortless.

3️⃣ Pick Stuff That Actually Interests You

🚨 If you’re bored, you’ll quit.

Pick books, topics, and skills that excite you.

When you enjoy it, it sticks.

Never Stop Learning

Lifelong learning isn’t another chore on your to-do list.

It makes life richer, more interesting, and just plain better.

You don’t need more time. You don’t need a complicated system.

You just need to stay curious. Start small. Keep learning.

Your Challenge:

1️⃣ Pick one thing you want to learn this month.
2️⃣ Make it easy—10 minutes a day is enough.
3️⃣ Start today. No waiting. No overthinking.

Because the moment you stop learning is the moment you stop growing.

📚 Check the Campfire Gentleman Reading List