How To Start Thinking Like A Millionaire: First Step
To start thinking like a millionaire you don’t have to wait until you’re already rich. It’s the other way around!
It all starts with what you believe in about money and the thoughts that surround it.
The problem is that sometimes we learn wrong ideas about money.
And that stops us from making good choices that affect our mindset.
You become like a computer that can only do simple math,
when in fact you can do a lot more with just the right programming.
How did you learn about money?
We came to this world as an empty sheet waiting to be filled with experiences and beliefs from the people and situations around us.
However, not everything written on that sheet is necessarily true.
We have the power to erase and rewrite what we believe about money. Our early experiences, especially during childhood, shape our beliefs about what money is.
To understand these beliefs, we can ask ourselves the following questions:
- How was your family’s money situation?
- How did your family talk about money at home?
- Are there any ways you handle money that are similar to your parents?
- Can you recall any specific happy or sad financial situations that have had an impact on you?
The answers to these questions can guide you to understand what your “idea” of money is.
And can help you understand better why your financial growth is stagnant.
Have you ever experienced a situation where, despite having a good salary, writing down your expenses, being a good person and a hard worker, money does not seem to smile at you?
Well, here are all your answers: because what is written on your money sheet is not helping you at all!
What you currently believe about money is influenced by the ideas of your parents, relatives, and the people around you.
Those are not your ideas, which is good because you can change them.
Those ideas are neither true nor false.
They just interpret and explain events or situations in a way that aligns with their personal beliefs about money.
What do you think about money?
Now you must analyze what ideas you have and how they relate to your past.
Becoming aware of what you think and feel about money will help you discover the emotions that determine your current situation.
Your thoughts generate emotions, emotions act on your decisions producing actions which give you results.
I’ll give you an example: Your belief is that money exists to spend it on what you like (for that you work hard).
When you are in front of a showcase of your emotion, it is the pleasure of being able to spend your money.
You spend without thinking about the future consequences.
Over time, this repetitive behavior leads you into debt and ruins your finances.
On the contrary, if you had other types of beliefs, the financial results would be different. Ask yourself then:
- What do you think about money?
- How do you feel when you see how much money you have, the money you owe, or when you have to pay the bills?
- Do you have a scarcity or abundance mentality?
Here are some clues to help you understand your mentality about money.
Scarcity Mindset:
Scarcity means that there isn’t enough money.
When you think like that, then you think that money is never enough.
This could be the fault of your salary, your boss, the situation of the country itself, or someone else.
You consider someone else responsible for giving you money: your husband, your parents, your job, the government.
- For you, money is there to be spent and you waste it on impulse or unnecessary purchases.
You think you should live in the present and enjoy the money you have now, the future does not interest you.
Or, on the contrary, you are afraid of losing it because it is your source of protection and you decide to accumulate as much as you can.
- You feel bad when someone else pays the bill and you are not interested in receiving money from anyone.
- You feel overwhelmed by money: your bills, your debts, managing your money. You feel like you don’t know what to do.
- You think you need to work really hard to make money. The more hours you work, the more money you can get.
- You believe that the only source of income is your salary and you believe that you are incapable of doing or starting a business, changing jobs or looking for another source of income.
- You cling to your job for fear of losing it, you prefer the security of a stable job that you don’t like to decide to do what you like.
Some expressions of scarcity are:
“Money doesn’t pay me anything”
“I can’t afford it” “It’s not enough for me”
“I want money to buy everything I want”
“Money does not grow on trees”
“The situation is very difficult”
“Money doesn’t interest me”
“If I had more money…”
“If I won the lottery…”
Wealth Mentality
- You like money.
- You think that there is enough money in the world for everyone.
- You feel that you are the only one responsible for making and multiplying your money.
- You think you can earn unlimited amounts of money.
- You like to look for ways to generate new income.
- You know that work is not the only source of money.
- You like to learn and educate yourself financially.
- You know that you can always improve yourself and become a better version of yourself.
- You have your “numbers” clear, you know how much money you need and want to make.
- Your priority is to invest instead of spending money.
- You think that money is easy to acquire.
When you start to make significant changes in your life,
You need to become aware of the emotions that are influencing your thoughts, decisions, and your mindset. Even if it is uncomfortable to you.
When you dare to face your emotions and situations as they are, despite the discomfort it gives you, the faster you can let them go.
How does your mindset stop you from making more money?
You and your thoughts are your worst enemies if you don’t know how to handle them.
When you doubt what you can create, you’re stopping yourself from succeeding.
That is why it is so important that you reflect on your current beliefs about wealth and examine how they might be stopping you from achieving your financial success.
You must then ask yourself:
- How much money do you want to earn each month?
- Do you think it’s possible or impossible?
- Do you believe you can achieve it?
- Would you feel happy earning more money, even if it means more work?
The truth is, you can make any amount of money you set your mind to if you have the right thoughts in your head.
This is what creates a millionaire mindset.
When I bought my first house, I approached it differently. Instead of thinking it would be difficult and it would take many years to gather that amount of money, I took a different approach.
I calculated my debt, divided it by the number of years I wanted to pay it off, and realized it was an achievable sum. It was money I could make.
However, if you keep making excuses like “Money isn’t my main motivation in life” or “I’ll only succeed if I win the lottery,” or if you expect everything to be given to you for free, you’ll never tap into your true potential to earn more money.
What are some strategies to start thinking of money in the same way as millionaires do?
1. Become aware of your ideas.
There are many attitudes and habits that you can adopt to transform your mind into a millionaire:
If you want to think like a millionaire, the first thing you must understand is that your thoughts influence your emotions, which affect your results.
So the first step is to stop thinking about those ideas that prevent you from growing your money.
All ideas of scarcity must be replaced by beliefs of abundance that reconcile you with money.
- I love Money.
- It’s easy to make money.
- Money can make me a better person.
- I don’t need to work hard to make more money.
- I can do what I love and still earn more money.
- Sharing money feels rewarding
- I am responsible for my own fortune.
- Debts don’t dictate me.
2. Describe the life you want
Imagine the life you desire and write about it daily as if it’s already your reality.
Describe how you would feel, what activities you would do, what music you would listen to, places you would visit, conversations you would have, people who would be around you, and even the food you would enjoy.
Writing has a special power, and by doing this exercise, you can convince your brain that you can achieve your dreams.
Our brain doesn’t know the difference between real experiences and imagined ones.
If visualization or repeating affirmations doesn’t work for you, try this approach: Start by thinking of three to five things you are grateful for in your life.
Then express gratitude for the millionaire life you desire by connecting it to something you already possess or appreciate.
3. Believe in your ability to earn money
Believe in yourself and your ability to make money
Financially successful people have a determined mindset about making money.
They never doubt their potential, even in difficult times.
You have the power to choose your attitude and response to any situation, no matter how challenging it may be.
This choice will shape your future, including your financial success.
Remember, by changing your attitude towards money, you can reshape your financial destiny.
4. Don’t Let the “HOW” Hold You Back
Now you don’t need to know exactly how.
Sometimes unplanned actions or decisions turn out to be more effective or successful.
The path to success is not a straight line but a series of mistakes and attempts.
When the “how” is holding you back, it can make you think you can’t achieve it. Better think “I’d still show up and take action”.
Take your foot one step forward.
One step at a time.
Change is not always easy.
Start with small steps and work your way up to bigger changes.
Remember that the secret of getting ahead is getting started.
There’s no shame in taking actions, along the way you will find not just solutions but lessons and new opportunities.
5. Become The Person You Want To Be
You need to think and act like the person you want to become right now.
Take the time to observe the habits, beliefs, and attitudes of the person you aspire to be.
How would you feel, if you’re that person?
Instead of waving your hand to your future millionaire-self from far away, embrace it now in your present life.
Imagine, how you would feel, what thoughts you would have, and how you would handle your money.
The key is to start believing and embodying the mindset of a millionaire, even before you achieve it.
6. Stop Comparing
It is very easy to compare yourself with your friends, your neighbors or family members.
When you do, you focus on what you don’t have and stop appreciating what you have.
Comparing yourself to others can simply lead to negative emotions like envy, frustration, and despair.
Wealth is a very ambiguous term, it can mean different things to you and to other people.
Decide what wealth means to you.
When you create financial goals, you create them for yourself, not in relation to what you see in others.
7. Be Ready For a Long Journey
Making money quickly is the main idea behind lotteries, pyramid schemes, and illegal businesses.
Many people want to become rich very quickly.
But it’s not how it works.
Making a fortune takes time and is a step-by-step process, not an immediate result.
Take the time to educate yourself about smart financial practices and investments that can help you grow your finances over time.
You must make conscious financial decisions now, because they will have long-term repercussions.
Remember, even a small amount of money you spend today could have grown much bigger in the future.
Financially successful people are careful on how they spend their money.
They are not stingy, they are just very smart on how they use their money.
Remember that money is more than just a tool for paying off debts or building a bank account.
A tool that can help you build the life and freedom you dream of.
In summary:
- Think about what you think about money.
- Analyze where your ideas of scarcity come from and how certain situations in the past created those thoughts.
- Firmly believe that you can make more money than you earn right now.
- Create thoughts of abundance and work on them every day.
- Assign a “number” to your fortune.
- Your wealth is a personal goal, do not compare yourself with anyone, more than yourself.
To think like a millionaire, consider the following mindset and habits:
1. Set Clear Goals:
Define specific financial goals for yourself. Think about what you want to achieve and create a plan to reach those goals.
2. Think Long-Term:
Adopt a long-term perspective when it comes to your finances. Understand that building wealth takes time and patience, and focus on sustainable growth rather than quick fixes.
3. Embrace a Growth Mindset:
Believe in your ability to learn and grow financially. Be open to new ideas, seek opportunities for self-improvement, and continuously educate yourself about personal finance and investment strategies.
4. Take Calculated Risks:
Successful millionaires understand the importance of taking calculated risks. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and seize opportunities that can potentially yield higher returns.
5. Value Financial Education:
Make financial literacy a priority. Expand your knowledge about money management, investing, and wealth-building strategies. Surround yourself with resources, books, and mentors who can help you enhance your financial understanding.
6. Practice Discipline and Delayed Gratification:
Cultivate discipline in your spending habits. Avoid impulsive purchases and prioritize saving and investing for the future. Delay gratification by focusing on long-term rewards rather than instant gratification.
7. Think in Abundance:
Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance. Believe that there are ample opportunities and resources available for you to create wealth. Avoid dwelling on limitations and focus on possibilities and solutions.
8. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences:
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who have a positive mindset towards wealth creation. Seek out mentors and role models who have achieved financial success and learn from their experiences.
9. Stay Persistent and Resilient:
Building wealth may involve setbacks and challenges. Stay persistent in pursuing your goals and resilient in the face of obstacles. Learn from failures, adapt your strategies, and keep moving forward.
10. Give Back and Practice Gratitude:
Millionaires often engage in philanthropy and giving back to society. Embrace the practice of gratitude by appreciating what you already have and expressing generosity towards others.
Remember, thinking like a millionaire is not just about the money itself but also about developing a mindset and behaviors that support long-term financial success.