The Reading Habits of Highly Successful People (And the App That Summarizes Books They Read)

Posted on 8/6/2025, 11:44:44 AM

Why do so many successful people—billionaires, CEOs, world leaders—emphasize the importance of reading? It’s not just a hobby. It’s a cornerstone of their success.

Reading sharpens thinking, expands knowledge, and fuels creativity. But in a world where most people struggle to finish even one book a year, how do high achievers manage to read so much?

The secret lies in how—and what—they read. Even more important? They’ve found smart ways to consume content efficiently. That’s where an app that summarizes books comes in.

Let’s dive into the proven reading habits of highly successful people—and how you can adopt them with a time-saving app.

1. They Schedule Reading Time Like a Meeting

Warren Buffett has famously said that reading 500 pages a day is how knowledge builds up—“like compound interest.” While that may not be realistic for everyone, the key takeaway is this: successful people make reading a priority.

They block out reading time just like they do meetings. Some read early in the morning, others before bed, or even during lunch breaks.

If your schedule doesn’t allow long reading sessions, try using an app that summarizes books. With summaries as short as 10 minutes, you can fit in a book over breakfast or during your commute.

2. They Focus on Nonfiction That Drives Results

High performers read books that align with their goals. This includes:

• Business and strategy (The Lean Startup, Good to Great)

• Psychology and behavior (Thinking, Fast and Slow, Atomic Habits)

• Leadership (Leaders Eat Last, Start With Why)

• Biographies of successful figures (Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, Elon Musk)

These books offer practical wisdom and deep insight. But not everyone has time to read them cover to cover. That’s why so many now rely on an app that summarizes books—it lets you digest key concepts and decide whether a book is worth a full read.

3. They Read to Solve Problems and Fuel Innovation

When Jeff Bezos started Amazon, he was inspired by books about market disruption and customer obsession. Elon Musk credits his knowledge of rockets and space exploration to voracious reading as a child.

Successful people don’t read passively—they’re looking for answers, ideas, and breakthroughs.

If you’re facing a business challenge or want to grow in a specific area, a book summary app can quickly point you to the books and insights that matter most. You can filter summaries by topic, goal, or area of interest—saving you hours of research.

4. They Read (and Listen) on the Go

With nonstop meetings, travel, and projects, it’s not surprising that many successful people use mobile solutions to stay informed.

Apps that summarize books often come with audio summaries, so you can listen to big ideas while:

• Driving to work

• Walking the dog

• Working out at the gym

• Waiting at the airport

This is one of the smartest time multipliers available today. You don’t need to carve out an hour to sit and read when you can turn idle time into learning time.

5. They Reflect, Revisit, and Apply What They Learn

Reading alone doesn’t make someone successful—applying what they read does. High achievers take notes, journal insights, and revisit key concepts regularly.

Some book summary apps include features like:

• Highlighting and note-taking

• Flashcards or key point lists

• Quizzes to test retention

• Personalized recommendations

By using an app that summarizes books, you not only get a quick overview but also tools to help you integrate the knowledge into your life and work.

6. They Curate, Don’t Consume Everything

Instead of reading whatever is popular, successful people carefully select what they read based on relevance and depth. Quality over quantity.

Many apps that summarize books make curation easier with:

• Editor’s picks

• Trending titles among CEOs and entrepreneurs

• Smart filters based on your interests

This lets you skip the fluff and go straight to books that matter.

How You Can Start Reading Like a CEO

You don’t need to be a billionaire to read like one. You just need a strategy that works for your lifestyle.

Step 1: Download an App That Summarizes Books

Look for one with high-quality summaries in business, leadership, and personal development. Some popular options include Sumizeit, Blinkist, and Shortform.

Step 2: Set a Micro-Habit

Start with 10 minutes a day. Pick a time—morning, lunch break, or before bed—and make it part of your routine.

Step 3: Reflect and Take Action

Jot down one key insight per summary. Ask: “How can I apply this today?” Small changes create long-term transformation.

Final Thoughts

Reading is the one habit that nearly all highly successful people have in common. But the game has changed. You don’t need to sit down with a hardcover for hours every day. You just need to be intentional—and strategic.

With the help of an app that summarizes books, you can absorb the same insights, boost your knowledge, and stay ahead in business and life—without adding more to your to-do list.

Start your success habit today.
Download an app that summarizes books, like sumizeit.com, commit to 10 minutes a day, and unlock the knowledge of the world’s top thinkers—one summary at a time.