The Billionaire’s Edge: Why AI Can’t Replace This 6-Hour Habit
Warren Buffett spends 80% of his day reading. A new JPMorgan survey reveals why deep reading remains the ultimate compounding asset.
In a survey of over 100 billionaires worth a collective $500 billion, one habit rose above the rest, even in the age of AI: reading. While artificial intelligence can digest PDFs in seconds, the ultra-wealthy prioritize the slow, deliberate absorption of knowledge. According to the report, reading is the top success habit among the world’s elite, creating a long-term advantage that technology cannot replicate.
The 7 Habits of the ultra-Wealthy
The study highlights seven core practices that define the daily lives of billionaires: reading, exercise, consistency, waking up early, prioritizing tasks, goal-setting, and deep thinking time. Individually, these are ordinary actions. Collectively, they represent a disciplined investment of time.
One billionaire family leader noted, “The currency of life is time… You think carefully about how you spend one dollar. You should think just as carefully [about] how you spend one hour.” For the wealthy, productivity isn’t a vague goal; it is an engineered reality where every hour is allocated to high-value activities.
Deep Reading vs. AI Summaries
Despite the rise of AI tools, which nearly 80% of these billionaires use personally, deep reading remains the “backbone” of their learning routine. Bill Gates famously reads 50 books a year, calling it his main method for understanding the world. Warren Buffett echoes this, reading five to six hours daily and advising leaders to consume 500 pages a day. He describes this as building knowledge like compound interest—a slow accumulation that yields massive returns over time.
This habit isn’t limited to the centibillionaire class. A five-year study of self-made millionaires found that 88% read at least 30 minutes a day. Unlike typical hobbies, which for billionaires might include golf or outdoor activities, reading is treated as a strategic tool. It is intentional learning, distinct from relaxation.
The Power of Intentionality
The JPMorgan report suggests that in an era of instant answers, the willingness to slow down and read deeply matters more than ever. The wealthy engineer their days around these habits, turning ordinary discipline into extraordinary wealth. They don’t just consume information; they internalize it.
True success requires more than access to data; it demands the wisdom to interpret it. By prioritizing deep reading and intentional time management, these leaders transform simple habits into powerful compounding assets. Your time is your most valuable currency—spend it building knowledge that lasts.
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