Back when modern rock music was just politely asking to hold our hands, five young mop-tops from across the pond did just that and thus began what would be known as the British Invasion. The Beatles didn't just hold our hands, though; they did their best to scratch our heads, expand our minds, destroy The Beach Boys' wonderfully sunny hold on American pop music, and most importantly, move our feet. Their effect was so far-reaching that they changed the face of modern music as we know it today -- whether you love them or hate them, even Brian Wilson has to give props. His masterpiece, "Pet Sounds," never would have been had The Beatles not challenged him so much to put out something that would make America more American and less British.

But today, there's a new British invasion, and it's on the big screen. Three teenagers, all hailing from the Queen's land, are gripping our nation in suspense and wonderment as we flock by the millions to catch up on The Boy Who Lived. I'm talking, of course, about Harry Potter. July is Harry Potter Mania Month, as the fifth book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," hits movie theaters globally this week, and the seventh in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," will later this month finally reveal if the world's favorite boy wizard will live or die in his battle against the most venomous Lord Voldemort. Okay, so I'm a nerd.

But who's not these days? J.K. Rowling's seven-part coming of age story is one of the best-selling stories of all time, making a previously unknown mom into one of the world's most known (and revered) storytellers. So great is the demand for all things Potter that bookstores and theaters open at midnight to release the movies and books, with people lining up around the block to be the first to witness all of the magic. Even the iPhone can't compete with the Potter franchise.

So what makes Rowling so incredibly successful? Besides her incredible talent as a writer and her knack for suspense, Rowling is able to connect with her readers in a way that reminds us what it is like to be a child, and to grow up. Her books satisfy children's lust for adventure, and adults lust for substance and meaning. Children want to fight the good fight, and I think we can all admit as adults that things were so much more fun in school.

This brings me to this week's topic: learning. We become so enveloped in Potter's world because we're taken on an all-expense paid trip through Hogwart's. We learn his spells, his potions, his defenses and his grievances. It's like being back in school again, and I don't know about you, but that's awfully enticing at times. Being in school is busy, it's romantic, and it's why we all thirst for the summer; and then when we're all dehydrated from heat, we wish for the fall. From the time we step foot into our first grade school, our minds are trained for that schedule.

As the working environment becomes ever more competitive, it's important to stay one step ahead of your competition, not just keep up. An education is key to making your success that much more lucrative. Even if you're in a strictly trade industry, there are almost always classes being offered at your local university or college that can improve upon your skill set to keep you in high demand. Harry wants to be an auror, so he takes the necessary courses to prime him for that position, even though he so hates Potions class with Professor Snape. Perhaps you're a mechanic, so you take a class on automotive engineering. Or maybe you're an artist, so you take a few courses on drawing. If you're a writer, I'd almost say skip going to school and just hunt down Rowling. She's got the market cornered, and could teach even Tolkien a thing or two.

So as Harry, Ron and Hermione move closer to their final battle, take the plunge and sign up for your very own Potions class (or maybe just a cooking class will do). Snape can teach you how to bottle fame, put a stopper on death and even give you luck, but you're the only person who can take charge of your career and do something to further it. Though, having a bit of Felix Felicis probably wouldn't hurt, either.

In the mean time, I've gotta go stand in line at AMC!