In our hurry-hurry world, most people do not have time to become bookworms, but virtually all of us can become “tape worms.” (Or “podcast worms” or “CD worms”… you get the picture.)

A study by the University of Southern California revealed that if you live in a metropolitan area and drive 12,000 miles a year you can acquire the equivalent of two years of college education in three years’ time by listening to educational information in your car. Since the average American adult spends from two hundred to seven hundred hours each year in an automobile, this is good news.

Stephen Payne is a classic example of what can happen when you take advantage of your driving time. He was 18 years old when he qualified for his GED and 22 before he received his earned high school diploma.

After an up-and-down struggle in life, at age 43 he became a full-time student at Automobile University – full-time, that is, when he was in his car. As a result, he speaks Spanish and French so fluently that he is now translating and interpreting for his company. He also speaks Italian and is in the process of learning both German and Japanese as well as Latin and his own Cherokee language.

Think about it. You can learn everything from Chinese art and the Bible to financial management, leadership skills, sales techniques, communications styles, childhood training techniques and numerous other subjects from some of the best-informed, most knowledgeable people in our country.

You literally have access to the “wisdom of the ages” on cassette tapes while driving to your job, shopping, errands, on vacation, etc. This is a much better and more effective use of your time than listening to much (but not all) of the programming that comes over the air.

Remember, you can finish school and even make it easy – but that’s not true of education. Automobile University is a marvelous source for a better education. Utilize it fully and I will SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Zig Ziglar was a teacher and motivator. You can receive the Ziglar newsletter filled with more of his inspiring stories as well as practical ideas to help you in the areas of sales, marketing, customer service, and related topics. You can learn more about him at www.ziglar.com.