Thanks to the internet we’re connected 24/7.  If you have a mobile device that’s connected to the internet, chances are you’re surfing the web, checking out your friends on Facebook or tweeting on Twitter.

There’s a lot to do in such a limited space we call our down time.  You might as well use it the best way possible, besides taking a nap (one of my favorite uses of free time by the way).

If you’re looking to get ahead of your competition and shine at work, you might re-think what you’re doing during these precious few minutes/hours.

I cannot remember what book I read it in, so I had to look it up, but Earl Nightingale talked about how anyone could become an expert in any field of endeavor by reading in their spare time.

Brian Tracy has summarized what Earl Said about how to become an expert in your field.  It’s one of the easiest call to action:

“Earl Nightingale said many years ago that one hour per day of study in your chosen field is all it takes. One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years, you’ll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do.

If you read one hour per day in your field, that will translate into about one book per week. One book per week translates into about 50 books per year, and 50 books per year will translate into about 500 books over the next 10 years.

If you read only one book per month, that will put you into the top 1 percent of income earners in our society. But if you read one book per week — 50 books per year — that will make you one of the best educated, smartest, most capable and highest-paid people in your field. Regular reading will transform your life completely.”

Just one hour a day can make all the difference in your life.  Cut out a boring sitcom or needless web surfing and dedicate it to reading every night.  If you’re not the reading type, find free audio interviews on the web or buy them from iTunes and listen and grow rich.

It takes just an hour a day for 3 years to become an expert in your field.  That’s not a huge investment of time or effort and the payoff is more than a college education or master’s degree could ever provide.  And thanks to your local library and free MP3s available on the internet, you can do it for FREE.

Now that’s what I call a no-brainer.  Get started today by picking a book from your bookshelf or listening to great audios online and start investing in yourself during your downtime.