The Rich are Different....How They Think

Some people may dismiss Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, by T. Eker, as useless. It's true that there’s not a lot of concrete information in it about the details of your financial life. (Though what advice is presented, is sound). What this book presents is challenging (maybe) information about mental attitudes that facilitate wealth. It’s about changing your psychological approach to money, success, and happiness.

Eker believes everyone possesses a “financial blueprint”, which is an internal script that dictates their relationship to money. This blueprint is created through lifelong exposure to money messages from friends, current events, entertainment programs, and, especially, our family. Unfortunately, our blueprints usually contain errors that block the achievement of our goals. I think of these blueprints as potential setpoints, that can hold us back, or propel you forward.

Eker lists seventeen ways in which the financial blueprints of the rich differ from those of the non-rich:

Rich people believe: “I create my life.” Poor people believe: “Life happens to me.” (This is HUGE. Every successful person I know is control of her life. Unhappy people constantly complain how this, that, or the other thing prevents them from doing something.)

Rich people play the money game to win. Poor people play the money game to not lose.

Rich people are committed to being rich. Poor people want to be rich.

Rich people think big. Poor people think small.

Rich people focus on opportunities. And, BTW, everytime you hear a complaint, you're hearing an opportunity in disguise. Poor people focus on obstacles.

Rich people admire other rich and successful people. Poor people resent rich and successful people. (This is important, too — but you don't need to admire ALL rich people.)

Rich people associate with positive, successful people. Poor people associate with negative or unsuccessful people. (Birds of a feather....)

Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people hate the whole idea of selling and promotion.

Rich people are bigger than their problems. Poor people are smaller than their problems.

Rich people are excellent receivers. Poor people are poor receivers.

Rich people choose to get paid based on results. Poor people choose to get paid based on time.

Rich people think “both”. Poor people think “either/or”.

Rich people focus on their net worth. Poor people focus on their working income.

Rich people manage their money well. Poor people mismanage their money well.

Rich people have their money work hard for them. Poor people work hard for their money.

Rich people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them. (This is big for a lot of us right now. Eker says that successful people act in spite of this fear; you've heard, "Feel the fear and do it anyway." They move beyond worry, they “fake it til they make it”, learning as they go. Unsuccessful people do nothing at all.)

Rich people constantly learn and grow. Non-rich people think they already know.

In the book, Eker explains each point, demonstrating how successful people discard limiting beliefs while the unsuccessful cling to them.

Mindset vitamin: The more I think like rich people, the closer I get to being financially independent.