Tom Corley spent five years observing more than 350 “rich” and “poor” people, how they live, work and even sleep and captured them all in his book, Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals. He defined “wealthy” as earning at least $160,000 annually and holding at least $3.2 million in assets. “Poor” was income under $30,000 a year and less than $5,000 in assets.
Early Risers: 44% of the rich wake up three hours before their 9-to-5 job. In those hours they focus on self-improvement, reading educational material, like trade journals or industry blogs. They’ll squeeze in a workout also, which Corley says leads to a more productive day at work.
Keep a Running List of Tasks: Once they reach their offices, the wealthy don’t waste time. Most maintain a daily to-do list and check off 70% of their tasks each day. And they’re not just obsessed with short-term plans. 70% percent of the wealthy surveyed set long-term goals, as well.
No Long Lunches: 55% of the rich network, wheel and deal during business lunches. Never eat alone. Lunch should be spend meeting people and learning new things about them.
Calorie Counting: Corley found most wealthy people limit alcoholic consumption and keep junk food snacks to just 300 calories per day, not just so that they can fit into their skinny jeans. “Wealthy people are healthy people. To wealthy people being healthy is about making more money,” says Corley. “If they’re healthy they have fewer sick days, they’re exercising, they have more energy, they maintain health their entire lives so they can work longer careers.”
No Gossiping: 79% of low-income people admit to gossiping, compared with just 6% of wealthy individuals. What goes around comes around.
Limited Internet: Finally, when it’s time to punch out at the end of the day, how do you unwind? Head to the bar? Veg out in front of the TV? While most wealthy folks reported activities such as networking, volunteering and socializing, Corley found a majority of those struggling with their finances spent more than an hour on recreational Internet use, and were twice as likely to hop on Facebook every day…oops!
I also highly recommend the books The Millionaire Mind and The Millionaire Next Door.
Early Risers: 44% of the rich wake up three hours before their 9-to-5 job. In those hours they focus on self-improvement, reading educational material, like trade journals or industry blogs. They’ll squeeze in a workout also, which Corley says leads to a more productive day at work.
Keep a Running List of Tasks: Once they reach their offices, the wealthy don’t waste time. Most maintain a daily to-do list and check off 70% of their tasks each day. And they’re not just obsessed with short-term plans. 70% percent of the wealthy surveyed set long-term goals, as well.
No Long Lunches: 55% of the rich network, wheel and deal during business lunches. Never eat alone. Lunch should be spend meeting people and learning new things about them.
Calorie Counting: Corley found most wealthy people limit alcoholic consumption and keep junk food snacks to just 300 calories per day, not just so that they can fit into their skinny jeans. “Wealthy people are healthy people. To wealthy people being healthy is about making more money,” says Corley. “If they’re healthy they have fewer sick days, they’re exercising, they have more energy, they maintain health their entire lives so they can work longer careers.”
No Gossiping: 79% of low-income people admit to gossiping, compared with just 6% of wealthy individuals. What goes around comes around.
Limited Internet: Finally, when it’s time to punch out at the end of the day, how do you unwind? Head to the bar? Veg out in front of the TV? While most wealthy folks reported activities such as networking, volunteering and socializing, Corley found a majority of those struggling with their finances spent more than an hour on recreational Internet use, and were twice as likely to hop on Facebook every day…oops!
I also highly recommend the books The Millionaire Mind and The Millionaire Next Door.
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