We’ve been talking about my “morning meditation,” which is the routine I go through every day that helps me prepare my mind and heart for what’s ahead. Yesterday I shared that I write down my goals each a.m., and I do it as if they have already happened. Today, I’m going to give you the final step of my daily ritual: reading a nonfiction book.

I know this can sound strange, but while I want to be a good student of the Bible, I also want to acquire a broader knowledge; I want to learn different perspectives and become a pupil of varying topics, such as business, ministry, finance, organizational philosophy, and leadership. For this reason, I spend the last 15 to 20 minutes of my routine immersing myself in a book that teaches me about these topics. I find that integrating nonfiction reading into my devotional time ensures that I maintain a rhythm that enables me to keep growing as a person. In fact, it’s the only way I can read as many books as I do.

Interestingly, the average individual reads only half of one book every year, but the average CEO reads 60 nonfiction titles over the course of 12 months! I don’t know about you, but to me, this seems to indicate a strong correlation between vocational success and the amount a person reads. While many of us think we’re too busy to fit it in, I can promise you that we’re not nearly as swamped as the CEO of a blue chip company, and yet they still make the time to acquire knowledge. If they can do it, I guarantee that you and I can too!

Well, there you have it — the five steps of my “morning meditation.” I can’t begin to tell you how effective this cadence has been in deepening my walk with God. Not only that, it bleeds into the rest of my day and brings His peace and power to whatever circumstances I face. Friend, I encourage you to develop your own daily routine; you don’t need to do it just like I do, nor do you need to devote as much time to it. However, in order to win the worry war, I believe it’s vitally important to have a rhythm in your life!