Why are some folks blessed with riches while others struggle to make ends meet? What is the magic formula to wealth?
The answer, according to renowned millionaire guru T. Harv Eker, is found in one's money blueprint. In his bestselling book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, Eker urges us to change our personal money blueprint and reprogramme the way we think, feel and act in order to achieve mastery over our wealth, attain financial freedom, and lead more meaningful lives.
Sounds too good to be true?
Well, initially I was a little sceptical about his claims. However, having read through his book, I was surprised by how much the bulk of its contents connected with me.
Liberally laced with "wealth principles", enriching declarations and "Millionaire Mind" actions, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind is divided into two parts:
Part 1: Our Money Blueprint
Part 1 examines how our money blueprint is manifested by our "programming". This, in turn, leads to thoughts, feelings and actions that culminate in either positive or negative financial results, i.e.
P-->T-->F-->A=R (where P = Programming, T = Thoughts, F = feelings, A = Actions, and R = Results)
Our programming is conditioned in three primary ways:
- Verbal programming. Phrases like "money is the root of all evil", "filthy rich", and "money doesn't grow on trees" could lead us to have a "scarcity" mentality;
- Modeling, ie the behaviours that you see when you were young (especially by your primary caregivers like parents); and
- Specific incidents which influence how we view money and wealth.
To change our wealth, we need to attract the right vibes by changing how our minds are conditioned to think. This is where part 2 comes into play.
Part 2: The 17 Wealth Files
Comprising 17 "Wealth Files" which are kind of like money mantras for us to chew on and memorise, the second part of the book provides lots of takeaways. Some of these maxims were surprisingly practical. Let me list them down and highlight those that especially resonate with me:
- Rich people believe “I create my life.” Poor people believe “Life happens to me.”
- Rich people play the game of money to win. Poor people play the game of money not to 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. Poor people focus on obstacles.
The first 5 wealth files seem related to the "Law of Attraction" that is popularised by the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The key idea here is to visualise in your mind the wealth that you'd like to have, believe that its real, and work towards programming your mind to think in a different way.
- Rich people admire other rich and successful people. Poor people resent rich and successful people.
- Rich people associate with positive, successful people. Poor people associate with negative or unsuccessful people.
Personally, I'm not sure if this is a good idea since we should minister to the less fortunate. I suppose we should still reach out to the poor without being unduly influenced by the negativity of others.
- Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people think negatively about 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.
Isn't this totally true? I mean, who are the ones with the time to play golf, travel on luxurious holidays, or take sabbaticals from their work?
- Rich people think “both.” Poor people think “either/or.”
- Rich people focus on their net worth. Poor people focus on their working income.
This is probably the most valuable "wealth file" to lodge into your cranium. To grow your net worth, Eker teaches us to increase our income (especially passive income), commit to savings, grow our funds through investments, and simplify our lifestyles.
- 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.
Another invaluable tip. This reminded me of the Parable of the Talents in the Bible, and is related to the habit of investing one's money.
- Rich people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them.
- Rich people constantly learn and grow. Poor people think they already know.
These last two maxims are related to one's attitude towards risk and life long learning. It is true that the wealthiest folks around are usually those who dare to take risks, and are also those who are constantly learning from both their successes and their mistakes.
More Motivational Than Prescriptive
A light, breezy and fast-paced read, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind provides lots of food for thought. Beyond the Wealth Files, the book is also packed with truckloads of rich sayings. Some of my favourite quotes include the following:
"If you are willing to do only what’s easy, life will be hard. But if you are willing to do what’s hard, life will be easy."
"Money will only make you more of what you already are."
"Every master was once a disaster."
While certain sections of the book came with useful, practical advice, much of what Eker espoused seem to be more common sense than profound. A born and bred salesman, Eker isn't shy with planting "sales pitches" throughout the book, asking readers to sign up for his various wealth creation workshops and programmes.
Once you get past the hustle, however, I do find that the book offers genuinely useful advice in paving one's path to prosperity. Then again, being willing to promote oneself is a part and parcel of thinking and acting like a millionaire.
Have you attended T. Harv Eker's workshops or read his book? I'd love to hear what you think. Labels: book review, financial planning, investment, law of attraction, management, personal finance, riches, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, T Harv Eker, wealth
