I just finished the book, “The Top 10 Distinctions Between Millionaires and The Middle Class”.
Here’s how I think I stack up…I’d encourage you to take a personal inventory as well.
Distinction 10:
Millionaires think long-term.
The middle class thinks short-term.
[I’m the guy with the 1-3 year plan written, but not too good with short-term or really long term. Sure I care about the short-term; it would be irresponsible not to be, but I always have my eye a bigger picture and the future.]
Distinction 9:
Millionaires talk about ideas.
The middle class talks about things and other people. (i.e. Hollywood stars)
[I always talk about ideas. I love the creation process and finding new ways to do something better. I get very turned off by all the junk on TV and magazines, following other people’s life, instead of creating our own.]
Distinction 8:
Millionaires embrace change.
The middle class is threatened by change.
[I feel I’m fairly flexible and adjust with the market.]
Distinction 7:
Millionaires take calculated risks.
The middle class is afraid to take risks.
[In terms of career decisions, I’m a dare-devil. In terms of investing, I’m a moderate risk-taker.
In terms of business, I’m a little risk-averse and by making sure I thoroughly trust the person I am working with. The project is second to me. The trust and confidence I have with the person I doing business with is the first importance. Everything else will fall into place.]
Distinction 6:
Millionaires continually learn and grow.
The middle class thinks learning ended with school.
[I love learning. It’s one of my passions. I read 3-5 books at a time, through audio, books, and e-books.]
Distinction 5:
Millionaires work for profits.
The middle class works for wages.
[I have learned this concept through the school of hard-knows. Starting my entrepreneur career and quitting my salary job almost a half a decade ago was not easy. I was caught in the entrepreneur paralysis, where there was no boss telling me what to do, and many times I didn’t. Than I transitioned into the “comfortable” level. Where I made great money, than shut off my businesses. That didn’t last long, and has created a roller-coaster of income of the years.
Now I feel I have transitioned yet again to to creative joint venture partnership and business profit sharing that has created great residual income, but has not doled my sense of creation everyday. I feel I’m playing the ‘game’ of business now, and excited to see how BIG I can make this!]
Distinction 4:
Millionaires believe they must be generous.
The middle class believes it can’t afford to give.
[I give, but feel I can never be too generous. I have seen direct result of increasing my giving, and more money somehow flows to me. I strongly believe in the law of tithe, and will forever pay 10% to my church as a minimum, as well as countless other charities.]
Distinction 3:
Millionaires have multiple sources of income.
The middle class has only one or two.
[I have at least five.]
Distinction 2:
Millionaires focuses on increasing their net worth.
The middle class focuses on increasing its paychecks.
[I think income is important, but I agree that net worth is more important. Let me clarify that: a net worth that is made up of income-producing and price-appreciating assets. The value of all assets minus the value of all liabilities (debt) is your net worth]
Distinction 1:
Millionaires ask themselves empowering questions.
The middle class ask themselves disempowering questions.
[I have self-doubts, sure, but I do cling on to empowering beliefs. I strongly recommend Landmark Education to help get past much of your negative self talk, and creating your future of possibilities. The past does not define you. Live in the present. Create the future. I continue to go through their curriculum (even today), and has had an impact on me stronger than words.]
Looks like I have a millionaire mindset. How did you do? If there’s one thing I need to work on, it’s distinction #10. I need to write down my goals and thoroughly plan the future. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. I also strongly recommend T. Harv Eker’s book, “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind“!