A habit is defined as a behavior repeated so often it becomes almost automatic. I’m in awe of the power of a habit. It’s a force to change your life, and it’s available to anyone, no matter their situation or circumstances.
For five years, author Tom Corley observed the daily habits of the rich and the poor and documented his findings in his book “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals.” Corley defines the rich as those earning at least $160,000 per year, with a minimum of $3.2 million in assets. Individuals with an annual income of less than $30,000 and fewer than $5,000 in assets are defined as poor.
Remarkably, Corley discovered that rich folks have a lot more in common than just income. They share the same habits and daily behaviors, which, for the most part, he didn’t find among the poor. Corley presents a compelling argument: Becoming rich isn’t about how lucky you are; it may have more to do with how you spend your day, beginning with the hour you wake up.
In his years of observation, Corley learned that it isn’t so much the economy or outside influences but your daily habits that set you up for either wealth or poverty. Because we know that we have control over our thoughts and actions and that we can develop habits simply by choosing to repeat the same behavior over and over again until it becomes almost automatic, what if we were to copy the daily behaviors of authentically wealthy people? Could you become more financially fit if you were to give up your bad money habits and replace them with habits that are proven to help you become more financially fit? You be the judge, but I’m putting my money on yes.
Here are the habits that Corley found to be common among the hundreds of wealthy people he followed for five years:
Early to Rise
Corley found that rich folks rise early to take full advantage of the wee morning hours. Forty-four percent of Corley’s research subjects wake up at least three hours before they need to be at their day job. They use these hours to focus on personal improvement such as reading educational books, blogs, and trade journals. And they squeeze in some type of physical fitness, too.Lunch? Yes. Break? No.
Fifty-five percent didn’t take long lunches or any lunch breaks at all. Sure, these folks eat, but they wheel and deal in between. They eat at their desks while they work. A long, leisurely lunch isn’t a wealthy habit.No Slacking
Corley didn’t find the rich hanging around the water cooler. They aren’t ones to watch the clock or continually calculate how much longer they must work before they can leave for the day. On the contrary, the rich don’t waste time. The minute they reach their office or place of work, they’re planning their day. Most of the wealthy maintain a daily to-do list and check off 70 percent of their tasks every day. They also set long-term goals.Being Calorie-Conscious
Rich folks are big calorie counters. Corley found most wealthy people limit alcohol consumption and hardly ever consume junk food. They keep snacks to just 300 calories per day because they’re health-conscious. To wealthy people, being healthy is a means to making more money, Corley discovered. They believe that if they’re healthy, they‘ll have fewer sick days. If they’re exercising, they’ll have more energy. The rich maintain health as a way of life, so they can work longer careers.No Gossiping
Got a juicy tidbit to pass along to a co-worker, friend, or relative? Before you do that, consider this: 79 percent of low-income people say they gossip, compared with just 6 percent of wealthy individuals. Enough said.Limited Internet
The poor are twice as likely to go on Facebook after work, and they spend an hour or longer surfing the internet. The rich spend their after-work hours volunteering, networking, and socializing in ways that don’t involve smartphones or cyberspace. They engage in personal relationships, preferring to see the internet as a business tool, not a source of recreation or social interaction.Earn More, Spend Less
The rich live below their means. They spend less than they earn. They believe that if they’re wealthy enough, they can afford to live below their means.
