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Welcome to the Daily Stoke. For each day, we read a short passage designed to help you cultivate the strength, insight, wisdom necessary for living good life.

Each one of these passages is based on the 2000-year-old philosophy that has guided some of history's greatest men and women. For more, you can visit us at DailyStoke.com.

It's not if you're reading, but what you're reading. Reading is an indisputable good. How could it not be? It's hard to criticize anyone who takes the time in this crazy, busy, and shockingly ignorant world to sit down and read a book.

But if wisdom is our aim, then of course it's not that simple. I cannot call someone hard working knowing only what they read, Epictetus said, even if all night is added, I cannot say it until I know the focus of his energy.

Spending hours or days in front of books is better than, say, hours watching stupid internet videos, but it can still be a waste of time.

Great readers don't just think about quantity. They think about quality. They linger over the works of master thinkers as Seneca put it. They read as well as reread. They read books that challenge their thinking. They read books that help them improve as human beings, not just as professionals.

They would never say, as some people sneer, I don't have time for fiction. Some of the best and wisest things ever written come to us in the form of literature.

In an age where far too many people default to breathless journalism or mindless internet streaming, it's a good start to be bookish to read a lot to finish a stack of books each year.

But this is not enough. What you read matters more. How you read matters too. You have to attack subjects you're not familiar with, spar with them until you are. You have to shy away from the quick and easy reads. You must take notes. You have to apply what you learn in real tangible ways.

You must, as Epic Titus said, make sure that your efforts aim at improving the mind. Because then and only then would he call you hard working. Then and only then do earn the title reader.

And of course, if you are looking to improve your reading practice this year or next year or discover a bunch of great books to read, I of course recommend the Daily Stoke Read to Lead Challenge.

It will set you on the path to being a better reader, a better leader and help you fulfill Epic Titus's dictum to focus your energy in time properly.

Thousands of people from all over the world that all levels of career and lifestyle have raved about this course in your mind.

Sure to be improved by it. You can check that out at dailystoke.com slash reading. And I think you'll really like it. And then remember if you sign up for Daily Stoke Life, you get this course and all our other challenges for free.

DailyStokeLife.com.

Hey, prime members. You can listen to the Daily Stoke early and add free on Amazon Music. Download the Amazon Music app today. Or you can listen early and add free with Wondering Plus in Apple podcasts.

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I'm with Missle Dine, the creator of this is actually happening. A podcast from Wondering that brings you extraordinary true stories of life changing events told by the people who lived them.

From a young man that dooms his entire future with one choice to a woman who survived a notorious serial killer. You'll hear their first person account of how they overcame remarkable circumstances.

Each episode is an exploration of the human spirit and personal discovery. These haunting accounts sound like Hollywood movies, but I assure you this is actually happening.

Followed this is actually happening wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to add free on the Amazon Music or Wondering app.

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