Why Reading (And Learning) Is Critical To Your Success

Jan 21, 2014 1 Min Read
reading

Many people agree that reading is important. Yet, few people really read to learn.  For me, every book I read, has some form of lesson to be learnt. I think the most interesting reason of why we need to learn from what we read is the true story below. As I read this story below, I started thinking “if only”.  If only the builders and folks at the Titanic had read this novel written by Morgan Robertson in 1898 called “the Wreck of the Titan”.

This book was written about the sinking of the Titanic, 14 years before it actually sank. The novel written features the ocean liner Titan, which sinks in the North Atlantic after striking an iceberg. The Titan and its sinking have been noted to be very similar to the real-life passenger ship RMS Titanic.

This might interest you: Why Reading Novels Is Good For Your Brain

Some bizarre coincidences between the fact and the fiction:

  1. Titanic was described in the newspapers as “designed to be unsinkable”, whereas the Titan was deemed “practically unsinkable” in the book.
  2. There were 16 lifeboats on the Titanic, less than half the number required for her passenger and crew capacity of 3,000. Whereas on the Titan there were 24 lifeboats, less than half needed for her 3,000 capacity.
  3. The Titanic struck an iceberg on the starboard side on the night of April 14, 1912, in the North Atlantic, 400 nautical miles (740 km; 460 mi) away from Newfoundland. The Titan also struck an iceberg on the starboard side on an April night in the North Atlantic, 400 nautical miles (740 km; 460 mi) from Newfoundland (Terranova).
  4. The unsinkable Titanic sank, and more than half of her 2,200 passengers and crew died. The indestructible Titan also sank, more than half of her 2,500 passengers drowning.

 

An amazing fact that once again reiterates to each of us to read more and more importantly, learn from what we read.  Have a great day reading today!

Source: Futility, or the Wreck of the Titan

If you haven’t heard about the Titanic, watch this video below:

 

Roshan Thiran tries to read as much as he can and always keeps a pen and notebook around so that he can jot lessons to be learnt from whatever he is reading. Click here for more articles like this. 

Share This

Alt

Roshan is the Founder and “Kuli” of the Leaderonomics Group of companies. He believes that everyone can be a leader and "make a dent in the universe," in their own special ways. He is featured on TV, radio and numerous publications sharing the Science of Building Leaders and on leadership development. Follow him at www.roshanthiran.com

You May Also Like

Alt

How to Lead and Manage a Retail Store

Running a retail store takes more than just knowing about products and sales. You need to be good with people, keep things running smoothly, and create a space where customers want to shop, and staff want to work. Whether you're in charge of a tiny shop or a big store doesn't matter. Good management makes all the difference to how well your business does. As a retail manager, you've got to keep learning and changing with the times, from working with your team to trying out new tech.

Dec 19, 2024 6 Min Read

Alt

Raise Your Game: Financial Leadership Of Today

Conine also talks about how learning through finance simulations provides the opportunity and space to exchange ideas on tackling the challenges of operating a business in times of low economic growth.

Aug 24, 2015 22 Min Podcast

Interview

The Leaderonomics Show - Dr. Jens Weinmann & Bianca Schmitz

Programme directors at ESMT Berlin, Dr Jens Weinmann and Bianca Schmitz share their innovation expertise and points of view on leadership with The Leaderonomics Show hosts Audrey Tong and Sarah Lim.

Jan 16, 2018 30 Min Video

Be a Leader's Digest Reader