Just start: the power of lifelong learning

"I don’t do it for pleasure. I do it to become better." - me (probably inspired by something I read, somewhere)

“Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In 2012, I truly started reading.

I was in my second semester of B-school, working full-time, and starving to learn.

That’s when I signed up for Audible—and I haven’t looked back since.

466 books later…
📚 372 audiobooks
📖 94 paper books
📰 Countless business & trade publications

And I can tell you this: RGB was right. Knowledge opens doors.

The reading journey started with a list.

At Rice, professors constantly referenced books and authors. I began writing down every title they mentioned.

By the time I graduated in 2013, I had the foundation of a lifelong reading list.

From there, I went straight to the source code of knowledge—
✅ The works of the masters
✅ The autobiographies of business titans
✅ The lessons from history and innovation

The more I read, the more patterns emerged.

Knowledge, it turns out, builds on itself.

Learning changed everything for me.

I used to be intimidated by learning.

I wasn’t the best test taker, but I still earned my seat at some of the best institutions.

Everything changed when I studied neuroplasticity—how the brain learns.

The human mind is incredible.

The more you challenge it, the stronger it becomes.

Learning is the real competitive advantage.

Much of my success in construction comes from self-study and hands-on learning.

We live in an age where there are no barriers to learning. Everything is at our fingertips.

And now, as we come to grips with AI and the rapid shifts in technology, I’m grateful for one thing: I never stopped learning.

Combine a deep foundation of knowledge with AI, and you are unstoppable.

If you don’t know where to start—just start.

PS: What's you favorite business book?

I will go first - Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich. I have read it >10 times.