rich habits - the daily success habits of wealthy individuals

60

Upload: others

Post on 11-Sep-2021

9 views

Category:

Documents


2 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals
Page 2: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

RICHHABITS

THEDAILYSUCCESSHABITSOFWEALTHYINDIVIDUALS

FindOutHowtheRichGetsoRich(theSecretstoFinancialSuccessRevealed)

ThomasCorley,CPA,CFP,M.S.Tax

Page 3: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Copyright©2009byThomasC.Corley.

LangdonStreetPress3221stAvenueNorth,FifthFloorMinneapolis,MN55401612.436.3954www.langdonstreetpress.com

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise,withoutthewrittenpriorpermissionoftheauthor.

ISBN:978-1-62652-746-1

Page 4: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

TableofContentsINTRODUCTION

TheInsuranceSalesman

TheSecretary

TheCarDealer

TheAccountant

TheRichHabitsTrainingProgram

RichHabitsatWork—TheClient

RichHabitsatWork—TheSecretary

RichHabitsatWork—TheCarDealer

RichHabitsatWork—TheInsuranceSalesman

TheCommemorationofJ.C.Jobs

Page 5: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

INTRODUCTION

Thefactis:successiselusive.Why?Whyaretherichsorich?OnlyaboutfivepercentofthepopulationintheUnitedStatesrealizestruefinancialsuccess.Whattraitsdotheypossessthatmakethemsosuccessful?Feweverfindout.Unfortunately,howtobefinanciallysuccessfulinlifeisnotasubjectthatistaughtinourschools.Weareallinthesameboat,attemptingthroughtrialanderrortofigureitoutonourown.

Ihavedevotedyearsofresearchingthedailyhabitsofwealthypeople.IhaveincorporatedwhatIhavelearnedfrommyresearchintothe“RichHabitsProgram,”whichisdesignedtoprovidetimely,easy-to-followguidanceonachievingunlimitedpersonalandfinancialsuccess.Wealthisnotjustabyproductofrandomluck,education,hardwork,orinheritance.Financialsuccessisafoolproofprocess.Withinthesepagesisthetwentyfirstcenturyblueprintforfinancialsuccess!

Iamacertifiedpublicaccountantandcertifiedfinancialplannertomorethanonethousandindividualsandsmallbusinesses.Thegenesisofthisbookbeganwhenastrugglingclientcametomyofficeseekingadvice.Theclient’sbusinesswasgrowing;however,hehaddifficultyinmakingendsmeet,particularlyatpayrolltime.Insheerdesperationheasked,“WhatamIdoingwrong?”FormonthsIanalyzedhisbusiness,hisexpenses,processes,laborrates,andindustrycomparativedata.Ievensoughtadvicefroma“rich”clientinthesameindustry,withasimilarlevelofgrossrevenuesandwhosebusinesssharedcomparabledemographics.Togetherwecouldfindnothingthatstoodout,noglaringdeficiency.

Atalunchmeetingwithmystrugglingclient,someweekslater,IconfessedthatIcouldnotdiagnosethecauseofmyclient’sfinancialproblems.Theclientwasnothappy.Iwasnothappy.Wesatinsilenceatourtableforsometime.InanefforttobreaktheuncomfortablesilenceIaskedmyclientwhathedidwhenhecamehomeatnight.Therewasanimmediateshiftinmyclient’sdemeanor.Analmostimpishlooktookholdandheaskedme,“Whichnight?”

“Pickyourfavoritenight,”Isuggested.TheclienttoldmethatwouldbeWednesday.“WhatdoyoudoonWednesdaynights?”Ipressedtheclient.Theclientleanedin,eyeingtherestaurantandsaideversoquietly,“Igeta

coupleofladiesofthenight,afewbottlesofwineand...”Theclient,inresponsetomyobviouslookofshock,stoppedmid-sentence.“I’msorry,”hesaid.“Ishouldnothavesharedthatwithyou.Italkwaytoomuchsometimes.”

Page 6: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

shouldnothavesharedthatwithyou.Italkwaytoomuchsometimes.”IassuredhimthatIwasanIrishCatholicNewYorkboyfromafamilyof

eightandthattherewasverylittleIhadnotseeninmylife.Myshockwasnotfrommoralindignation,butfromtherealizationthatIhadbeenaskingmyclientallthewrongquestionsthesepastmonths.TheepiphanyIhadwasthattherewasmuchmoretofinancialproblemsthanmeetstheeyeandthatIneededtoasktherightquestions.Ieventuallycameupwithatwenty-questionlistthat,overafive-yearperiod,IaskedtojustabouteveryrichorpoorclientIhad,aswellaseverybusinesspartnerorpersonIknew.

ThedataIgatheredfromthesequestionsmademerealizethatthereisadifferencethesizeoftheGrandCanyoninthewayrichpeopleandpoorpeoplelivetheirdailylives.Thisoneclientunknowinglytookmedownapathtowardthediscoveryofthesecrettofinancialsuccess.

Page 7: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

TheInsuranceSalesman

“Ijustcan’ttakeitanymore,”PhoenixUpmanmurmuredintohishalf-emptypintglass.Heranhisshort,plumpfingersthroughwhatlittlehairwasleftonhisheadashiscigaretteburnedoutintheashtraybesidehim.

Badday?”thebartenderaskednonchalantlyasheleanedoverthebar,perusingthesportssection.Hedidn’tseemparticularlyinterested,butpretendedtobeforhiscustomer’ssake.

Phoenixmanagedasortofangrysnortthatgavewaytoforced,hollowlaughter.“Morelikebadlife.”Hedrainedtherestofhisbeerandslidtheemptymugforwardforarefill.“LastnightIhadtotellmysonthatwecouldnotaffordtosendhimtocollege.wejustdon’thavethemoney.Wecan’tevenswingtuitionatBrookline.”

Brookline,thelocalcommunitycollege,gavediscountedratestocountyresidents-practicallygivingawayaneducation.ThebartendersensedimmediatelyhowpatheticPhoenix’sfinancialsituationmustbeifhecouldn’tevenaffordBrookline.Thebartenderhadmanagedtogethimselfthroughtwoyearstherewithwhatlittledavingshehad,supplementedbythetipsfromthisplace.

“NotevenBrookline,huh?”“No,”Phoenixsaid.Helitupanothercigaretteandtookalong,slowdrag,

lettinghiseyelidscloseasheheldinhisbreath.“Thisoneisonme.”ThebartendersetafreshpintdowninfrontofPhoenix

andcontemplatedthetroubledman.Althoughyoungerthanthebartender,thatwasnotobviousbylookingatPhoenix.Hisrecedinghairlineandexpandingwaistlinemadehimlookolder,asdidthedeepcreasebetweenhiseyesandthewrinklessnakedacrosshisforehead.Nothingabouthimwasparticularlydistinct.Hisshirtsleeves,rolleduptomid-forearm,hadblotchyblueinkstains.“Whatdoyoudoforaliving?”

“Isellinsurance,”hesaid,tooquicklyperhaps.“WhatImeanisItry.WhatImakeisbarelyenoughtoliveon,letaloneputawayforsomethinglikecollege.”Phoenixrolledapeanutbetweenhisthumbandforefinger,hisgazefixedsomewhereacrossthebar.Hesatforalongwhile,quiet,slowlyrollingthepeanut,unblinking.“How’dIgettobesuchafailure?”hemurmuredtohimself.

Thebartenderreturnedtothearticlehewasreading.Phoenixsetthepeanutdownonthebarandwrappedhishandbackaroundthecoldglass,liftingthemugtohislipsonceagain,draininghislatestpint.“Youknow,evenifIdiedthere'snotmuch.Idon’tevenhaveenoughinsurancetomakethatworthwhile.”

Page 8: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

there'snotmuch.Idon’tevenhaveenoughinsurancetomakethatworthwhile.”Heslidtheglassforward,signalinganotherrefill.“SomesalesmanIam,”hemutteredunderhisbreath.Hepinchedthebridgeofhisnoseandclosedhiseyestight,scrunchinguphisface.

“Youdriving,man?”thebartenderasked.“I’mnotfarfromhere,justafewblocks.I’llbefine.”“Idon’tknow;you’vebeenhereawhile.”Phoenixglancedatthebartender,apleadinglookinhiseyes.Heknewhe

hadwornouthiswelcome,buthowcouldhegohomeandfacehissonafterlastnight?Itwasclearthebartenderwasgoingtocuthimoff.Sensingthis,Phoenixlaidoutsomecashandpushedbackfromthebar.Withoutsayingaword,heshruggedintohiscoatandcap,pullinghiscapdowntightonhisheadbeforemakinghiswaydownthelengthofthebartowardtheexit.

OutsidewasdarkandPhoenixcouldseehisbreathhangingintheairbeforehim.Therewerenostars;theywerelostsomewherebehindopaqueDecemberclouds.Hemadehiswayovertohisblacksubcompactandfumbledinhispocketsforthekeys.Insidethecarwasnotmuchbetter;hecouldfeelhisfingersgoingnumbfromthecold.Phoenixlitonelastcigaretteandsatback,waitingfortheenginetowarmup.

Helethisheadrollbackandsighedtohimselfsomethingaboutbadluck.Hiseyelidsfellshutashetookalongdragoffthecigarette.Thesmokeswirledupandaroundhisheadinwispygreyribbonsbeforepoolinginathincloudneartheceilingofthecar.Phoenixopenedhiseyesandwatchedthetrailofsmokedanceawayfromthebutt.Heshookhisheadslowly.Hethoughtaboutwhathemightsaytohisson,iftheboywouldeventalktohim.Asuddenknockonthedriver-sidewindowstartledPhoenix.

“Jesus,”hemuttered,fumblingaroundonthefloorforthestill-burningcigarettethatfellfromhishandwiththeknockonthewindow.Hefoundthecigaretteandsnubbedwhatwasleftintheoverflowingashtraybeforerollingdownhiswindow.“CanIhelpyou?”heaskedgruffly,staringupatthestrangerwhohadinterruptedhisthoughts.

“Iwasjustabouttoaskyouthesamething.”“Excuseme?”Phoenixlookedupatthestrangerstandingjustoutsidethe

car.“DoIknowyou?”“MynameisChampDailey,”thestrangersaid,stickingoutaglovedhand.

Phoenixreluctantlyobliged,looselygrippingthesoft,blackleather,andquicklyrecoiled.

Andyournameis?”thestrangerasked.“PhoenixUpman.”“Hi,Mr.Upman.Icouldn’thelpbutoverhearyoubackinthebar.I’mtruly

Page 9: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

“Hi,Mr.Upman.Icouldn’thelpbutoverhearyoubackinthebar.I’mtrulysorryforyourtroubles.”

Phoenixwasn’tquitesurewhattomakeofthis.WhenthebartenderwaspretendingnottoignorePhoenixallhe’dwantedwasalittlebitofsympathy,butnow,comingfromthisstranger,well,itjustmadehimfeelmorepathetic.Phoenixwavedoffthecomment,shakinghishead,andfixedhisgazestraightahead.

“I’dlikeyoutocomebymyofficeonMonday,”Champcontinued.“Icanhelpyou.”Champpulledabusinesscardfromhispocketandextendedthecard.Phoenixtookthecardandstudieditsuspiciously.

“Helpme?Youdon’tevenknowme.”“You’dbesurprised,”Champreplied,awarmgrinspreadingacrosshisface.“Whatareyoulikealoansharkorsomething?I’mnotgettinginvolvedin

that,Igotenoughproblemsasitis,”Phoenixsaid.“No,Mr.Upman,”Champloosedaslowrollinglaughandcontinued,“justa

manlookinginaveryoldmirror.”Withthatheturnedtowalkacrosstheparkinglot,callingoverhisshoulder,“Monday,twelveo’clock.”

Phoenix’seyesfollowedChampintherearviewmirror,watchingashegotintohiscarandpulledoutofthelot.AfterChamphadgone,Phoenixfoundhimselfstaringathisownreflection.“Oldmirror?”herepeatedtohimselfashestudiedhisownface.Heglanceddownatthebusinesscardstillinhishands.“Nothingtoloseatthispoint,Isuppose.”Hetuckedthebusinesscardinhiswalletandsetoffforhome.

PhoenixwasrestlessasheshoweredanddressedforworkonMondaymorning.HecouldthinkonlyofthestrangeencounterandhisupcomingmeetingwiththisChampDaileyfellow.Phoenixhadlosthopelongago,butonhislunchhourthatday,ashewalkedupBroadStreettowardstheaddressonthecard,hiscuriositycompelledhimforward.Asthenumbersclimbed,thebuildingsbecamemuchnicer,taller,andmoreornate.Finally,atthecornerofBroadandFirst,hecametoastopinfrontofthegrandestbuildingonthestreet.Hegrewdizzyashelookedstraightup,takinginthefaçadeofthebuilding.Phoenixdouble-checkedtheaddressonthecardtomakesurehehadtherightplace:700BroadStreet.Hesighed,futilelytryingtocountthenumberoffloorsfromthestreet.

“MayIhelpyou?”thedoormansaid,interruptinghistally.“IhaveameetingwithChampDailey.”“Yes,sir,”thedoormanreplied,swingingopenthetallglassdoorand

welcomingPhoenixinside.“Taketheleftbankofelevators,theonesmarkedtwentytothirty-five.Mr.Dailey’sofficeisonthetwenty-firstfloor.Exittheelevatortoyourright.”

Page 10: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

elevatortoyourright.”Phoenixnodded,distractedbythelobbybuzzingwithenergy.Hefoundthe

rightelevatorandgotin,hisfingerdancingoverthebutton.Hecouldn’thelpbutwonderwhathewasgettinghimselfinto.

Thedoorsopenedtoanexpansivereceptionarea.Phoenixwasimmediatelyoverwhelmed.Theroomwaslargerthantheentiresalesdepartmentbackathisoffice.Hehesitatedbeforeexitingtheelevators,checkingthefloornumberagainjusttomakesurehewasintherightplace.

Ashewalkedoutoftheelevator,ChampDaileygreetedhim.“Mr.Upman,I’msogladyoucame.Didyouhavemuchtroublefindingthebuilding?”

“Um...uh,no,”Phoenixreplied.“Ihope,uh,thisisn’tabadtimeoranything.Icancomebacklaterifyou’rebusy.Theplaceseemsbusy.”

“No,Iwasexpectingyou,Mr.Upman.Please,followme,”Champinstructed,leadinghimpastthereceptionareaandthroughashorthallway.PhoenixwasstunnedwhenChampswungthedooropentorevealanopulentoffice.Thewoodfloorsandoak-linedwallswarmedthecavernousroom,andnumerouspaintingsprovidedsplashesofcolor.Phoenixtookintheexpansiveroomandconcededthatthiswasthemostimpressiveofficehehadeverbeenin.

PhoenixtookabetterlookatChamp.HeseemedtallerthenPhoenixremembered,andleanwithafullheadofsilver-greyhair.Hissoft,blueeyesradiatedakindofwelcomingwarmth,whichputPhoenixatease,atleastalittle.Themanhadakindofgood-naturedairabouthim,andheseemedcasualandrelaxed.

“I’msogladyoucame,”Champsaid.HedirectedPhoenixtoanemptychairinfrontofhisdesk.

“I’msorryabouttheothernight.Iguess...I,um,Iwasjust,youknow...”“Noneedtoapologize,”Champbrokein,noddingsympathetically.Champ

sat,consideringthemanacrossfromhimforamoment.Phoenixshiftednervouslyinhischairasthesilencesettledbetweenthem.Hecouldn’thelpbeingdistractedbyhissurroundings,peeringaroundatthepaintingsandluxuriousdécor.

“I’vebeenwhereyouare,youknow.”Champfinallyspoke,leaningineversoslightly.“I’vebeeninthepitsofdarknessanddespair.”

Phoenixlookedconfusedashiseyessettledbackonthemanseatedacrossthedesk.“Despair?FromthelooksofthingsI’dsayyouareacontinentfromdespair.”

Champpaused,smirkingjustabit.“Iam,now;butnottoolongagothingswereamess.Nohope,nodirection,everythinginlifeseemedtopassmeby.Ialmostlostmyfamilyovermycircumstances.IguessyoucouldsayI’vecomealongway.”Champclosedhiseyesandthesmilefadedfromhisface.“WhenI

Page 11: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

longway.”Champclosedhiseyesandthesmilefadedfromhisface.“WhenIheardyoutheothernightatthebar,itbroughtbackalotofpainfulmemories.”

Phoenixshiftedagaininhischair.Hefeltasthoughhewereintrudingonaprivatemoment.Champdidn’tseemtonoticePhoenix.Phoenixclearedhisthroat,twice.

“FunnythingthatIwasinthatbarthatnight.I’dneverbeentothatbarbefore.AfterIleft,Ikeptwonderingwhyourpathshadcrossedthatnight.Whatputmeinthatparticularbaronthatparticularnight?”Champseemedtodriftagain.“TheonlyconclusionIcouldreachwasthatsomethingintendedIbethere,meantmetobethere,tomeetyou.”

PhoenixstaredatChamp,consideringhiswordscarefully.“Likewhat?Likefate,orsomething?”

“Fate,yes.”“Why?What’ssoimportantaboutmethatfatewouldhaveusmeet?Why

me?”AsmilebrokeonChamp’sfaceandhesatupstraight,hiseyeswideasifhe

hadalong-keptsecrethewasreadytoshare.“IbelieveitwasintendedthatIpullyououtofthisholeyou’rein.IamsurenowthatyouaretheveryopportunityIwastoldabout.Yes,IamcertainthatyourepresentmyopportunitytoreturnthefavorthatIreceivedalifetimeagowhenIwasanaltogetherdifferentman.”

“Idon’tunderstand,”Phoenixreplied.“Yousee,someyearsagoIwastoldthatImightbecalledupontohelp

anotherinneed.IwastoldIwouldknowhimwhenIsawhimbecauseIwouldseethemirrorimageofmyoldself.Ididn’tunderstandthemeaningofthisatthetime,butthenyoucamealongandfinallyitallmadesense.Listeningtoyoutheothernight,IrecognizedimmediatelythatyouwerethepersonIwasmeanttohelp.”

“Howdidyouknowallthis?Howdidyouknowtolookforme?”“Becausehetoldmeto,”Champsaid.“Who?”“Mymentor,myadvisor.Inalotofways,themanwhosavedmylife.”“Who?”Phoenixaskedagain.“J.C.Jobs.”ChampwentontoexplainhowJ.C.JobswasresponsibleforChamp’sturn-

around,andmanyothersjustlikehim.“Heenabledustoreachlevelsofsuccesswehadneverdreamedpossible.”

Phoenixlistenedintently,absorbingeveryword.“IwasgiventenlawsbyJ.C.Jobs.Hecalledthemthe‘RichHabits.’Iwas

toldtolivethesetenprinciplesforthirtydaysandmeetbackwithhim.He

Page 12: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

toldtolivethesetenprinciplesforthirtydaysandmeetbackwithhim.HepromisedmethatifIfollowedthesetenrules,mysituationwouldimprove.Atthatpoint,Ihadnothingtolose;soIdidexactlyasheinstructedandmetbackupwithhimafterthethirtydayshadpassed.”Champpausedanddrewhisshouldersback.

“And...?”Phoenixprompted.“Andtherestishistory.Whatyouseeallaroundyouhereisthebyproductof

livingtheRichHabitseveryday.TheRichHabitscompletelytransformedmylife.”

“Andnowyou’regoingtosharetheseprincipleswithme?”Phoenixasked,atraceofexcitementonhisfaceandinhisvoice.

“No,”Champreplied.Heleanedbackinhischairandcrossedhislegs,eyesfocusedsquarelyonPhoenix.

“What?ThenwhyamIhere?”Phoenixfurrowedhisbrowandhiseyesbecamenarrow.AcreepingsuspicionthatChamphadbeenwastinghistimenowtookroot,andPhoenixcontemplatedgettinguprightthenandthereandmarchingoutofthecavernousofficewithoutsomuchasaglanceback.Stillsomethingkepthimanchoredtohisseat.

“Theprinciplesarejustanoverviewofamorecomprehensiveprocess.J.C.hascreatedaprogramhecallstheRichHabitsTrainingProgram.Heandhisteamtrainindividuals,suchasyou,infollowingtheRichHabits.MyresponsibilityendswhenIcomeacrossacandidatewhomeetsJ.C.’smirrortest.”Champreachedacrosshisexpansivedeskforapenandscrawledaphonenumberonasheetofpaper.

“HereisthenumberwhereyoucanreachJ.C.’soffice.Callthisnumberfirstthingtomorrowmorning.”

“AndwhatdoIsay?Howmuchdoesthistrainingprogramcost?”Phoenixasked.

“Thereisnocostwhenyouaresponsored,Mr.Upman.JustletJ.C.’sofficeknowthatChampDaileysponsoredyou.Theycanhelpyou,Mr.Upman.Ofthat,Iamcertain.”

Withthat,Champstood,smoothinghisjacketanddirectedPhoenixtothedoor.Phoenixwasslowtogetup,reluctanttoleave,asheclungtothepieceofpaperwith

J.C.’sphonenumber.Hecouldn’thelpbutthinkthatthemostvaluablethinginthewholebuildingwasthissimplescrapofpapernowinhispossession.

ThenextmorningPhoenixdidasChampinstructed.Assoonashegottoworkhecalledthenumber.Awomananswered.

“Hello,mynameisPhoenixUpmanandI’mtryingtoreachJ.C.Jobs.ChampDaileytoldmetogivehimacall.”

Page 13: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

ChampDaileytoldmetogivehimacall.”“WhatmayItellMr.Jobsthisisinreferenceto?”thewomanasked.“Champ

DaileytoldmetosaythatIwassponsoredbyhim.”“Certainly,Mr.Upman,”thewomanreplied.ShetookdownPhoenix’s

contactinformationandsaidshewouldrelaythemessagetoMr.Jobs.Thenshehungupthephone.WithinafewminutesthesamewomancalledPhoenixbackwithanappointmentforthenextRichHabitstrainingsession.

Page 14: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

TheSecretary

“WhatamIgoingtodowithher?”JohnAndrews,CEOofSunblade,Inc.,adistributorofsawbladesinnorthernNewJersey,hadjustbeeninformedbyhisofficemanagerNina,thatDeehadcalledinforthethirdtimethismonthtosayshewasgoingtobelate.ThemorningswereimportantforSunblade,especiallyDee’srole,whichrequiredanhoureachmorningcallingbothexistingcustomersandprospects.Itwasaprocessthecompanyputinplaceyearsago,andwhentheprocesswasappliedconsistently,salesweretheresult.Dee’sabsencemeantnocallsandlostsalesfortheweek.

“John,youkeepbendingtherulesforDeeandshejustkeepspushingtheenvelopetoseehowmuchfurtheryou’llbendthem.Itoldyoulastyeartofireher.Whydon’tyoujustfireheralready?”NinahadlostherpatienceforDee’spoorattendanceandsenseofentitlement.NinawantedDeefiredbutJohnjustcouldnotbringhimselftodoso.

“ButIseesomuchpotentialinher,Nina.IfIcouldjustbreakherofsomeofthesebadhabitssheholdsonto,shewouldshine.Ijustknowit.”

DeeWorthyworkedasasecretaryforSunblade.Herpayforthepasttwoyearswasmeager,primarilyduetoher“badhabits,”asJohnbegantocallthem.Shewasayoungtwenty-four-year-old,heavysettothepointofbeingunhealthy.Shehadapleasantsmileandanattractiveface.MostofDee'scolleaguesdescribedherasahardworking,conscientious,andapunctualemployee.ThesesamepeoplealsodescribedDeeaslazy,neglectful,andtardy.Attimessheexhibitedcreativity,agreatworkethic,andincrediblepromise,buteventuallyshealwaysfellbackintotardiness,distraction,andindifference.Therootcause,manysuspected,werefamilyissuesfromwhichDeesoughtrefugeinfood.Hernear-obesitycausedhealthissues,whichmanifestedinfrequentsickdays.

“Aviciouscircleofbadhabits,”JohnadmonishedDeeatoneoftheirmanymeetingsfollowingacycleofabsences.

InDee'sfamilycircleshewasthefunctionalone.Herabilitytoearnevenameagerincomemadeherthefamilybanker.Johnoftentriedtopaintapictureofherreality,howherfamilywasdraggingherdownduetotheirownbadhabitsandtheirseeminginabilitytodrawaconsistentincome.Unfortunately,DeenevertookJohn’sadvicetoheart.Johnrecognizedhervulnerabilitywhenitcametoherfamily.Recognizingthisweakness,herfamilytookfulladvantageofDee.Dee'sinsecuritiesdidn’thelpmatters,either.“I’mnotthatsmart,”sheoftensaidtoothersaroundtheoffice.“Mycousinisthesmartoneinthefamily.ShegotthemaincourseandallIgotweretheleftovers.”

Page 15: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

ShegotthemaincourseandallIgotweretheleftovers.”“Hercousin?”JohnbarkedatNina.“Thesmartonewithtwochildrenoutof

wedlock–wholiveswithherandhasn’thadajobinovertwoyears?Jeez.”

“Ineedtotalktoyouaboutsomethingpersonal.”JohnhadgrownsotiredoftheserepetitiouspersonalmeetingswithDee,

whichweremoreandmorefrequent.“IgotasecondjobasabartenderandIwillneedtoleaveearlyonFridays.”JohncouldtellfromthelookonDee'sfacethatshefearedthesemeetingsas

muchasJohnhadgrowntiredofthem.“HowearlyDee?”heaskedinaclearlyfrustratedtone.

“Ineedtoleaveatfourp.m.”Workhoursendedforeveryoneelseatfive-thirtyp.m.Johnknewthiswould

createamajorproblemfortheotheremployees,whowouldresentseeingJohnascateringtoDeeandbendingtherulesagain,rulesthatdidn’tseemtoapplytoDee.Johnfearedthathewouldbesendingthewrongmessagetoeveryoneifhedidn’texactsomeconcessionsfromDee.

“Iwillagreetothisontwoconditions.”“Yes?”Deerepliedsheepishly.“Thefirstconditionisthatyouwillhavetomakeupthemissingtimeon

Thursdays.”SomemembersofthestaffworkedlateonThursdays,finalizingordersforthenextweek,sohefeltherpresencemightthwartanystaffassertionsthatDeewasgettingspecialtreatment.

“Thesecondconditionisthatifyoufailtoliveuptoconditionnumberone,bythethirdtimeIwillhavenochoicebuttoterminateyouremployment.”

Dee,veryreluctantly,agreedtotheterms.Whatchoicedidshehavereally?Sheneededtheextramoney.Deelefthisofficeandasthedayworeonshegrewresentfulofherboss,thinkinghewassinglingheroutandbeinghardonher.Shefeltheshouldcutherabreak.Shehadalotonherplate.Hewas,shedecided,wronginforcinghertocomplywiththeiragreement.

Notwithstanding,Deeobligedherbossandthisnewscheduleforatime.ThestaffseemedtoacceptthisarrangementanddidnotmakewavesforJohn.However,aftersomeweekswentby,DeebegantostealafewminuteshereandthereonThursdays.NinanoticedthistrendfirstandinformedJohn.

JohnconfrontedDeeonaFridaymorningandsaid,“Strikeone,Dee.Youleftearlyyesterday.”

Deewasangry.SheknewJohnwastoobusytonoticeherearlydeparturesandthatNinamusthaverattedherout.Deereluctantlyforcedherselfbacktotheregimenforatime,butsubsequentlyfellbackintoherbadhabits.

“Striketwo,Dee,”JohnadvisedheronanotherFridayfollowinganother

Page 16: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

“Striketwo,Dee,”JohnadvisedheronanotherFridayfollowinganotherbreachoftheiragreement.Thethirdstrikedidnottakelong,andonanotherFridayDeefoundherselfunemployed.

Twoweekspassedsinceshehadbeenforcedtovacateherapartment.Herfamilyhadabandonedher.NooneeventriedtoreachouttoDeetoseehowshewasdoingfollowingtheseparation.Deeranoutofmoney,withnotevenenoughforameal.Onenight,succumbingtothehungerpainsthatwerenowalltoofamiliar,shedecidedtovisitSt.Michael’sfoodkitchenforahotmeal.Butassheapproachedthefoodkitchen,shecouldnotcoaxherselfontothelineofpoorpeoplewaitingoutside.Shewalkedaroundtheblockdesperatelytryingtofindthecourageandhumilitytojointheline.

JanGoodehadbeenwatchingDee.Hemannedtheoutsidelineofthekitchenasavolunteer.Hisjobwastohelpmovethelinealonganddirectthehungryintothefacilityforahotmeal.JanbegantonoticeDeeafterherfourthtrippastthekitchenandhecouldseethatshewasdistressed.JanaskedoneofthevolunteerstotakehisplacemomentarilyandhewalkedovertoDee,whowasnowsittingonthecurbwithherhandscoveringherface,sobbing.

“Areyouhungry?”Janasked.“Excuseme?”shemumbledback.“Ivolunteeratthekitchen.Inoticedyou’vebeenpassingbyforthepasttwo

hours.Whydon’tyoucomeinforsomefood?”“Ican’t.”Deedrewherhandstoherfaceandbegantocry.“Ican’t.I’m,I’m

justtoohumiliated.”Deelostallcontrolandherbodyshookwithhersobs.Composingherself,shelookedupatJan.“IneverthoughtI’deverbeinthis

situation.I’vedonethistomyself,youknow.Imadethisallhappen.I’mmyownworstenemy.Iblewagreatjobwithagreatbossinagreatcompany.”Deelosthercomposureagainandbegantosob,thenonceagaincomposedherself.

“Mybosstriedtomakemeseethingsastheyreallywere.Ijustdidn’tlistentohim.Iamsuchafailureinlife.”SomethingshesaidorsomethingabouthersituationrattledJan.ItallsoundedtoofamiliarandbroughtbacksomeoldmemoriesJanhadthoughthehadlongagoerased.ThisupsetJan.Heexcusedhimselfandwalkedbackintothekitchen.HeemergedashorttimelaterwithacontaineroffoodforDee.

“MynameisJanGoode.IunderstandwhatyouaregoingthroughandIthinkIcanhelp.”JanhandedDeethecontainer.

“Help,me?Doyoufindpeoplejobsorsomething?”“Notexactly.”Janpausedandrepeatedthewordsastrangerhadspokento

himsomanyyearsago,“I’mjustamanlookinginaveryoldmirror.Comebythekitchentomorrownightafterclose.”

Page 17: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

thekitchentomorrownightafterclose.”Deespentthenightinthebedofalocalshelter,ponderingthewordsuttered

byJan.I’mjustamanlookinginaveryoldmirror.Shewonderedtoherself,Whatdiditmean?Thewordsreverberatedinherheaduntilsleeparrived.

DeemetwithJanthenextnightandJansharedhisownstory.“Alongtimeago,Ilostmyjobundercircumstancessimilartoyourown.Ilostallhope.Iwasrescuedbyastrangerwhohelpedmeturnmylifearound.”

“Howdidhehelpyouturnyourlifearound?”Deeimplored.Janshiftedinhisseatandtookadeepbreath.

“Thisindividualsharedtenprincipleswithmethatchangedmylifeforever.IwentfromunemployedtotheCEOofthecompanythatnowemploysme.Followingtheselawswasnoteasy.HecalledthemtheRichHabits.ButfollowthemIdid,andtenyearsagothelawsbroughtmetomycurrentpositioninlife.”

“WhataretheseRichHabits?”Deeasked,inamoredemanding,butsinceremanner.

“That’snothowitworks,Dee.Youhavetogothroughatrainingprogram.Whenyou’responsoredthere'snocost.Theprogramwillteachyoueverythingyouneedtoknowtoturnyourlifearound.”JanreachedintohispocketandpulledoutapenandpaperandjottedaphonenumberdownforDee.“HisnameisJ.C.Jobs.Callhisofficeinthemorning.TellthemJanGoodesponsoredyou.”

DeedidasJanadvisedandsecuredherplaceinlineatthenextsessionoftheRichHabitTrainingProgram.

Page 18: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

TheCarDealer

HerbRiserwasinastateofshock.Hehadjustgottenoffthephonewithhisbankeranditseemedasifallhopeofextendinghisdealership’sfloorplanfinancinghadrunout.ThebankadvisedhimthattheywereabouttoenforcetheirrightsunderthetermsofHerb’screditagreementandrepossesshisinventoryforasubsequentfiresaletolimitthebank’slosses.ForHerb,thismeantbankruptcyandfinancialruinforhisbusinessand,worse,hisfamily.

Drivinghomethatnight,hefeltsoalone.Atthelightjustoutsidehislot,Herbclosedhiseyesandlethisheaddropback.“HowdidIletthishappen?”Thewordsweremuffledwithintheconfinesofhiscar.“HowamIgoingtotellmywife?”

Hecouldn’tbearthethoughtoftheanguishhewasabouttounleashuponhisfamily.Theyhadyoungchildren,alargemortgage,andplentyofbillstopay.Hisemployeeswerenobetteroffwithahostoffinancialobligationsoftheirown.ManyofthemhadtakenachanceonHerb,leftgoodjobstocomeandworkforhim,andnowthiswashowtheywouldberepaid.Fromsomewherebehindhim,acarhonkedand

Herbopenedhiseyestoseethegreenlightaheadofhim.Lookingtohisleft,asheeasedonthegas,hesawthelargelit-updealership

diagonallyacrossthestreetfromhisown.Thatdealershipwasprospering.Theirinventoryofvehiclesturnedeverymonth,whileHerb’sowninventorygrewdustyandwornbytheelements.“Whatdoeshedodifferently?”Herbbeggedforananswerfromthegreatbeyond,buthiscrieswentunheard.

Herbhadbeeninthecarbusinessforabouttwentyyears.AteverydealershipthatemployedHerb,hewasthetopsalesperson.NooneevencameclosetomatchingHerb’sproductivity.Themanknewhowtosellacar.Herbcouldselljustaboutanythingonthelot,andheknewthis,oftenbraggingtocoworkers,“IcouldsellicetoEskimos.”Andhissuccesswasrewarded.Herbreceivedgenerousbonuses,andmanyawardstothedealershiptrickleddowntohimintheformoffreevacations,Rolexwatches,andnumerousotheritems.

Herbturnedontohisstreet,aquiettree-linedcul-de-sacthatbackedontoaninlet.Thehouseswereneatlyframedbylushmanicuredlawnsanddrivewayslinedwithflowerbeds.Hepulledtoastopontheroadinfrontofhishouse.Lightswereoninthekitchenandthelivingroom.Hisfamilywouldallbeup,hiswifecleaningdishesoverthesink,thekidswatchingtelevision,doing

Page 19: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

hiswifecleaningdishesoverthesink,thekidswatchingtelevision,doinghomework,orplaying.Hecouldn’ttellthem;howcouldheruintheirsenseofhomeandsafety?Theywereexpectinghimtowalkin,heatupsomedinner,andtalkwiththem.Forthem,tonightwasanightlikeanyother;butHerbknewthateverythingwasabouttochangedrastically.

AttheNationalAutomobileDealersAssociationconventionseveralyearsbefore,HerbwasapproachedbyadealerheknewfromStatenIsland.TheygottotalkingandthedealertoldHerbthathe’dgrowntiredoftravelingtohisMitsubishifranchiseinRhodeIslandeverymonthtoreviewthemonth-endfinancialsandcreatethebudgetforthefollowingmonth.HewaslookingforabuyerandHerbeagerlyjumpedattheopportunity.Hehadlongdreamedofowninghisownstore,ofrunning“his”dealershipthewayhebelievedadealershipoughttorun,makinghisownrules,andreapinghisownrewards.Hewantedtobeoneofthebigboysandhesawthisopportunityashislong-awaitedbreak.

Thefirstfewmonthsinhisnewlyownedcardealershipwereslow,butthatdidn’tshakeHerb’sresolve.Heattributedthelowsalesnumberstotheownershiptransitionandwasconfidentthatthingswouldsoonpickup.Heevendecidedtorolluphissleevesandshowhissalesteamhowsellingwasdonebyapro.Thenumberspickedupabit,butnotthewayHerbanticipated.Hecontinuedsellingdayafterday,monthaftermonth,butsalescamehard.

Herbhadtroubleadjustingtohisexpandedresponsibilitiesofownership.Cashflowproblemsbegantooccupymoreofhistime.Hefoundhimselfvisitingbankswithincreasedfrequencytoaddnewlinesofcredit,orstrikenewfloorplanfinancingarrangements.Hespentmoretimeinbankofficesthanhewasspendingonthefloorofhisownshowroom,furtherexacerbatinghiscash-flowproblems.Herbwashisownbestsalesman,eventhoughhisnumberspaledincomparisontotheproductionhehadenjoyedasasalesmanatotherdealerships.Jugglingmanagementresponsibilitiesalongwithsaleswasprovingtoomuch.

Herbgotoutofhiscarandsteppedintothecoldnightair.HeflexedhisfingersinsidehistightblackleatherglovesandthemoonglintedoffthefaceoftheRolexwatchhewonyearsagoaftersettinganannualsalesrecordatapreviousdealershipheworkedfor.Nowhestoodontheporchofhishomefeelinglikeanintruder,thepersonwhowasabouttocomeinandshatterhisfamily’sworld.Hecouldn’tdoit,notjustyet.Herbsatdownintheoldwickerrockingchairontheporchandcollectedhisthoughts.Hewasn’tready.

Herbwasnotastudentoftheautoindustry.Forhimthebusinessofrunningacardealershipwasallaboutonething:sales.Customersweremerelyprospects

Page 20: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

acardealershipwasallaboutonething:sales.Customersweremerelyprospectstobeconquered.“Overcomeobjectionsatallcosts,”heoftentoldothersalesman.“Thecustomerdoesn’tmakeadecisiontobuy;wedothatforthem.That’sourjob.”

Oftentimes,andreluctantly,theowneratHerb’slastdealershiphadtoactasamediatoronbehalfofacustomerwhofelttheywerebeingtreatedrudelybyHerb.HisbossknewHerbcouldsell,thatwasclearfromthenumbers,butHerbdidn’treallyunderstandthebiggerpicture.

“Herb,we’renotinterestedinjustthesale.Wewantthesecustomersforlifeandwewanttheirkids,andtheirkids’kids.Thisdealershipgoestogreatlengthstoprovidethemwiththeproductstheywantandthequalityservicetheycanexpectfromus.Withoutthemandtheircontinuedbusinesswe’dbefinished.YouarebyfarthebestsalesmanIhaveeverhad,butsometimesyoufocussolelyonthesaleandyouforgetthatthereisawholelotmoretomakingmoneyherethanjustsellingacar,”Herb’sbossexplainedinaprivatemeetingafteracustomerfeltparticularlybulliedbyHerb’saggressivesellingtechniques.

Herb’shandrestedonthefront-doorhandle.Hisfingersgrippedtheknob.Justbeyondthedoorhecouldhearthekidsrunningaroundupstairs,laughing.Heclosedhiseyesandletthesoundoflaughterfillhisears,lettinghisforeheadfalltothedoor.Hesniffedonce,thetipofhisnoseburninginthecoldnightair,andpushedopenthefrontdoor.

“Herb?”hiswifecalledfromthekitchen.“You’relatetonight;Isavedyouaplate.”

Herbslidoutofhiscoatandhungitinthefoyer,carefullytuckinghisglovesintothepocket.Hereluctantlystrolledintothekitchenandsankintooneofthechairsaroundthetable.Hiswifewasputtingtogetherhisdinner,buthewasn’thungry.

“Youallright?”sheinquired,noticingHerb’sdemeanor.Normally,whenhearrivedhomehewasmoreanimated,happytobehomewithhisfamilyafterthelongworkday.

“Ihavetotellyousomething,”Herbsaid.Hewoulddothisquickly.Hetookadeepbreathandbegan.

“Whatarewegoingtodo?”hiswifeasked,slumpingagainstthecounterwhenHerbfinishedtellinghereverything.Herfacewasblankandhereyesfixedsomewherefaraway.Herbcouldn’tbeartolookather.

“Howwillwepaythemortgage?”shewhispered,moretoherselfthantoherhusband.ShebegantocryandHerb’sheartwasbreaking.Upstairshecouldhearhischildrenstompingaroundtheirbedrooms,boisterousandlively.Downstairsthekitchenwasfilledwithsobbing.

Somehow,Herbdraggedhimselfoutofbedthenextmorning.Inthemirror

Page 21: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Somehow,Herbdraggedhimselfoutofbedthenextmorning.Inthemirrorhecouldseehisreflectionshave,brushhisreflection’steeth,andrunacombthroughhisreflection’shair.Hefeltlikehewaswatchingsomeoneelsefromamillionmilesaway.Whenhegottohisdealershipitdidn’ttakelongforhisstafftosensethatsomethingwaswrong.Herbshuthimselfinhisofficeandavoidedconversingwithanyoneformostoftheday.Hewasdesperatelytryingtothinkhiswayoutofthiswholemess,butforallhisthinking,hekeptcomingupshort.Numerouscallstohisbankerwentunansweredandunreturned.

Thefloorwasquietmostoftheday.Veryfewprospectswalkedthroughtheshowroomandtheservicedepartmentclosedearlythateveningduetoalackofbusiness.Whenmostofthestaffhaddeparted,Herbcamedownfromhisupstairsofficeandbeganhisnightlyritualofclosingtheshop.

Awomaninhermid-fiftieswalkedthroughthefrontdoorsjustasHerbwasmakinghiswayfromtheservicedesktowardtheshowroomtolockup.Herbwasslightlystartled,seeingherstandingbythereceptiondesk.

“MayIhelpyou?”Herbaskedinamelancholytone.“I’mlookingforacarformydaughter.SheisgraduatingfromBrownnext

monthandIwashopingtosurpriseher,”thewomangushed.“Doyouhaveanyconvertibles?”

Foramoment,thesalesmaninHerbstirred,buthesuppressedtheurge.“I’msorry;Iwon’tbeabletohelpyou.”

“Well,howaboutanSUVthen?Itdoesn’tnecessarilyhavetobeaconvertible.”

Herbstaredatthewomanandfelthimselfshrinking.“ImeanIwon’tbeabletosellyouanycarbecauseIwon’tbeabletoprovideservicesupport.”

“Idon’tunderstand.”Herbswallowedhardbeforecontinuing,“Afterthismonth,wewillmost

likelynolongerbeinbusiness,I’mafraid.”Herb’seyesdroppedfromherfacetothefloor,ashamed.“Wewon’tbeheretoserviceyourdaughter’scarorprovideanyfollow-upsupport.I’mverysorry.Ican’thelpyou.Ican’thelpanyone.”

Herbtriedtousherthewomantowardsthedoor,butshedidn’tmove.“Wait,”shesaid,takingasteptowardshim,alookofcompassionblanketedherface.“Tellmewhathappened?”

Herblookedather,startledbytherequest,andconsidereditforamoment.Hefiguredhehadnothingtoloseatthatpoint.Whynot?hethoughttohimself.Herbofferedherachairatanearbydeskandspilledthewholestory.Heheldnothingback.Hewasbrutallyhonestabouthisfailings.UnknowntoHerb,hisbankruptcystorywasafamiliaronetothewoman,whohadgonethroughher

Page 22: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

ownbankruptcyalong,longtimeago.“Whatisyourname?”sheaskedoncehehadfinishedhisstory.“HerbRiser,”heshookhishead,embarrassed,beforeofferinghishand.He

hadtoldthiswomanhiswholesadstorybeforeevenexchangingintroductions.“I’mSusanChanger,”shereplied,shakingfirmly.“I’dliketohelpyou.”“Youwanttohelpme?”Herbrepliedindisbelief.“Why?”Susanrepeatedthewordssomeonesaidtohermanyyearsago,“I’mjusta

personlookinginaveryoldmirror.”SusanbegantoshareherownstoryoffailureandtheredemptionshereceivedfromanindividualbythenameofJ.C.Jobs.“HereisJ.C.’sofficenumber.Iwantyoutocalltheminthemorning.JustletthemknowIsponsoredyou.Thatgetsyouintothenexttrainingsessionforfree.”

Theyshookhandsandpartedways.HerbeyedthephonenumberasSusanwalkedoutthedoorsofhisdealership.WhoisthisJ.C.Jobs?heclosedhiseyesandwonderedtohimself.Isuredohopehecanperformmiracles,becausethat’swhatIneed.Amiracle.WithhiseyesstillclosedandhishandsunconsciouslywrappedaroundthepieceofpaperwithJ.C.Job’snumberonit,Herblookedasifhewaspraying.

Page 23: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

TheAccountant

Tearsfloweddownhischeeksashedroppedaredroseontothecasketbelow.Hiswasthelastrose.Withthatfinalact,thecrowdofmournersbegantodisburseandtheaccountantwasnowalonewithhisthreeyoungchildren,standingoverDenise’scasket,staringmindlesslyintotheopengraveandloathinghimself.

“It’scalledcervicalintraepithelialneoplasia,”Denisehadsaid.Shehadsatdownatthekitchentableandpouredhimafreshcupofcoffee.Thecoffeesatsteamingbetweenthem,untouched.“Thedoctorrecommendedsurgerytocorrectthedisorder.”

“Surgery?”Hestarednervouslyather.Thesunfellacrossthetableinwideslats,angledthroughtheblinds.Beyondtheglasshecouldseeacloudlessblueskystretchingacrossthebackyard.Suddenlyhefeltlikehewasfallingfromthatsky,endlesslyfalling.Deniselookedcalm,asthoughshewasgoingoveragrocerylistwithhim.Deniseneverfumbled.Eventhoughthiswasaveryseriousmatter,shehadawayofdealingwiththeillnessinarelaxed,calmmanner.Denisehadalwaysbeenthepragmatic,rationalone,incontrolintherelationship.Shehardlyevergotworkedupthewayhedid.

“Iaskedifthesurgerywasabsolutelynecessaryandheseemedtowaver.”Denisethrewherlefthandintheairinadismissivefashion.“HesaidIdidn’tneedtohavethesurgerydonerightaway,buttherewerecertainrisksiftheproblemweretoremainuncorrectedindefinitely.”Deniserestedherchincasuallyinherhand,asthoughshewererecallingmemoriesofarecentholiday,orchattingaboutaneighbor’snewkitchen.Herpoiseamazedhim.

“Getthesurgery,Denise,please.”“Oh,‘please’yourself;youknowwecan’taffordthesurgery.Ourinsurance

isridiculous;thedeductibleiswaytoohigh.”“Ifyouneedthesurgery,youneedthesurgery,”hepleadedwithher.He

broughthishandtohismouthandshookhishead,tryingtoclearhismindoftheimageofasickDenise.Heforcedhimselftofocusonherasshewashereandnow.ShelookedlikehisDenise,thesamewomanhehadwednearlytwentyyearsago,althoughnow,slightlyplump,withthehintofasmilealwaysdancingbehindhereyes,vibrantandalive.Shecouldn’tbesick,notDenise.

“Wecan’taffordthesurgeryjustnowandwecertainlycan’taffordformetobeincapacitated,”Denisedemanded.“Wejustdon’thavethefive-thousanddollarsrightnow.Thesurgerywilljusthavetowait.”

Hedroppedhishandtothetableandletoutanaudible,exhaustedgroan.Her

Page 24: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Hedroppedhishandtothetableandletoutanaudible,exhaustedgroan.Herfingerscreptoverthetabletopandcametorestatophishand,warm,softandcomforting.Shesqueezedtightlyinanefforttoreassurehim.“Itcanwaituntilaftertaxseason.We’llhavemoneythen.”Shesmiledathim.

Aboutthreemonthslater,whiletheaccountantwasintheheartoftaxseason,anunfortunateritualthatwasthenatureofhisprofession,Denise'sconditionworsened.Herspottingbecamemorefrequentbutshechosenottoconcernherhusband,whowasworkingsixteen-hourdaysandweekends.Sheknewhehadhundredsofclientswithhundredsoftaxreturnsthatneededtobefiledwithinthenextsixweeks.Denisedecidednottobotherhimuntilaftertaxseason,whentheywouldhavesomeadditionalcashandcouldaffordtheoperationtofixherproblem.Thatoperationneverdidhappen.Denise'sillnessturnedtocanceranditspreadlikewildfire.Shelastedthroughthesummer,andpassedawayinahospitalbed,leavingbehindashatteredhusbandandtheirthreechildren.Denise,akind,devotedwifeandmother,wasnomore.

Theaccountantstaggeredthroughhisworkandhisnewjobasasingleparent.Itwasnearlyayearbeforethefogbegantoliftandheregainedsomelevelofclear-headedness.Denise'ssuddendeathlefthimangryandconfused.Heblamedhimselfforthatandfortheirfinancialplight.Theseself-recriminationscontinueduntilonemorningafteravividdreaminwhichDenisespoketohim,saying,“Allyouneedtodoisasktherightquestions.”Thewordsburnedintheaccountant’searsthroughmostofthatdayandstayedwithhimthatnightuntilhefellasleep.

Anewnessofthoughtwokewithhimthatnextmorning.“WhyamIdoingbadlywhilesomanyofmyclients,theclientswhoaskmeforfinancialadvice,aredoingsowell?”heaskedhimselfasherubbedthesleepfromhiseyes.“Itcan’tbeamatterofknowledge.Iknowfarmoreintermsoftaxandfinancesthananyofmyclients.TheremustbesomethingIamdoingwrongthattheyaredoingright!”

Theaccountantdeterminedthenandtheretouncovertheirsecrets.Oneofthefirstthingshedidwastocreatealistofquestionstoaskhissuccessfulclientsinanefforttofindoutwhattheydidthathedidn’t.Hislistevolvedandchangedovertimeintotwentyquestions.Heawokeonenightwiththethoughtthatheshouldalsotakethislistofquestionstohisunsuccessfulclientstoseeifthereweredifferencesbetweentheiranswersandthoseofhiswealthyclients.TheU.S.PatentOfficereferstosuchextraordinaryhumanthoughtsandideasas“flashesofgenius.”Untilthatnight,ithadneveroccurredtotheaccountantthattheanswersheobtainedfromhissuccessfulclientsonlyhadrelevanceiftheycouldbecomparedtotheanswersofhisunsuccessfulclients.

Whatwasinitiallyarelativelysimple,short-termprojectbecameafive-year

Page 25: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Whatwasinitiallyarelativelysimple,short-termprojectbecameafive-yearobsessionwithanalysisanddiscoveryinstudyingthedatahegatheredfromthetwodiversegroups.Theconclusionwasastounding.TherewasadifferencethesizeoftheGrandCanyonbetweentheanswershereceivedfromhissuccessfulclientsandtheanswershereceivedfromhisunsuccessfulclients.

Asanexample,whenheaskedthequestion,“Whatdoyoudowhenyouleaveyouroffice?”theanswersgivenbyhissuccessfulclientsreflectedthat,asagroup,theywereengagedinnumeroussocialorbusinessactivities.Someservedondifferentboards,otherswereinvolvedinspeakingengagements;sometaught;somewereinvolvedwiththeirchurch;somewereseekingadvanceddegreesrelatedtotheirprofessions;somecontinuedworkingintheirhomeoffices;someranlittleleagueclubs,andsomewereinvolvedinvolunteerworkfornon-profitorganizations.Whenthisquestionwasaskedoftheunsuccessfulgroupofclients,theiranswerswerestrikinglyuniform.Theyatedinner,watchedtelevisionorengagedinsomerecreationalactivity,wenttobed,andrepeatedthesameroutinethenextday.Theaccountant’sepiphanywasthathehaduncoveredthesecrettofinancialsuccess,whichhecouldseewasembodiedinthedailyhabitsofsuccessfulpeople.

Excitedbyhisdiscovery,hecategorizedhisfindings,whichheeventuallynarroweddownintoeasytounderstandprinciplesthatcametobeknownas“RichHabits.”

Theaccountantincorporatedthesehabitsintohisdailylife.ForthirtydayshediligentlyfollowedhisRichHabitslist.Eachandeveryday,inthemorning,atnoon,andjustbeforebed,hewentoverhislist.Opportunitiesbegantomanifestseeminglyoutofthinair.Hisrevenuebegantoincrease.Newclientscamethroughhisofficedoors.Hehadtohirenewemployeestomeetthedemandsofhisnewclients.Theaccountantwasrousedtosuchheightsofexcitementthathecouldhardlycontainhimself.Hefeltasifhehadjustimbibedsomemagicalelixirthatwastransforminghislife.

ShortlyafterincorporatingtheRichHabitsintohisdailylife,anoldclientcalledwhohadbeenstrugglingwithseriouscashflowproblems.

“Ineedyoutohelpmesecureanotherlinewithabank,”theclientaskedoverthephone.“Idesperatelyneedanotherfifty-thousanddollars.IfIdon’tgetthismoney,I’mfinished.Iwon’tbeabletomakepayrollnextmonthorpaymyvendors.”

Itseemedtotheaccountantthat,sincehefirstmethisclient,themanwasalwaysstrugglingwithcashflow.Athoughtflashedthroughhismind.“I’lltellyouwhat,”theaccountantoffered,“I’llhelpyousecuretheadditionalfinancingforfreebutIwantsomethingfromyou.ComeinnextweekandI’llexplainfurther.”Theaccountanthungupthephoneandduringthenextweeksetoutto

Page 26: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

further.”TheaccountanthungupthephoneandduringthenextweeksetouttodevelopaworkableprogrambaseduponhisRichHabits,sothathecouldsharethemwithhisunfortunateclient.

Thefollowingweekthetwometinhisoffice.“What’sthis?”Theclientwaspuzzlingoverthepapersthatlaybeforehim.

“Thisisanagreement,”theaccountantreplied.“Forwhat?”theclientasked,ashebegantostudytheleaddocument,which

readasfollows:“IhereinagreetodiligentlyfollowtheattachedProgramforthirtydays.In

exchange,allfeesassociatedwithsecuringadditionalfinancingwillbewaived.”Theclientconsideredthedocumentforafewmomentsandbrowsedthrough

theprogramtheaccountantcreatedjustforhim.“That’sallIhavetodo?Followthisprogramforthirtydays?”Aslightsmilespreadacrosstheaccountant’sface.“Thirtydays.”“Seemssimpleenough.”Theclientsignedthedocument.“Areyoureadytobegin?”theaccountantaskedenthusiastically.“Now?I...I...Iguessso,”theclientstammered.Withthat,J.C.JobspulledacopyoftheRichHabitsTrainingProgram

towardhisclientandopenedtothefirstpage.

Page 27: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

TheRichHabitsTrainingProgram

BeforebeginningtheRichHabitsTrainingProgramitisnecessarytodispelacommonmythaboutfinancialsuccesswithregardtoluck.Manyunsuccessfulpeoplerationalizethattheydon’thave“goodluck”orjustaren’t“lucky.”

Theyarguethatinordertobefinanciallysuccessfulyouneedgoodluck.Isgoodluckimportanttobecomingsuccessful?Theanswerisaresounding“Yes!”Allsuccessfulpeoplehaveexperiencedgoodluck.Infact,noonewilleverbecomesuccessfuliftheydonothavesomegoodluck.Butlet’selaborateonthistruth.

Therearefourtypesofluck.Thefirsttypeofluckis“randomgoodluck.”Thisisatypeofgoodluckwehavenocontrolover,likewinningthelotteryorreceivinganunexpectedinheritance.

Thesecondtypeofluckis“randombadluck.”Likerandomgoodluck,wehavenocontroloverthis,either.

Eventscreatingthistypeofluckareoutsideofourinfluenceforthemostpart.Examplesincludecomingdownwithadisease,gettinghitbylightning,randomaccidents,atreefallingonyourhouse,etc.

Thethirdtypeofluckis“opportunityluck.”Thisisgoodluckthatisabyproductofgooddailyhabits.Thinkofopportunityluckasanappleorchard.Youpreparetheland,planttheappleseeds,anddiligentlynurturethetreesastheygrow.Aftersometimetheappletreesblossomandbearfruit.Thisfruitisthebyproductofdoingthethingsyouneededtodooveralongperiodoftime.Theseapplesrepresentopportunityluck.

Successfulpeopledothethingsthatarenecessaryoverthelongterminorderforopportunitylucktooccurintheirlives.TheylivetheRichHabitseverysingleday.RichHabitsarelikeamagnetforopportunityluck.Manyoftheopportunitiesarecompletelyunexpected.Somepeoplerefertothisas“thelawofattraction.”OpportunityluckfollowsthelawofattractionforthosewholivetheRichHabits.

Thefourthtypeofluckis“detrimentalluck.”Detrimentalluckistheeviltwinofopportunityluck.Unsuccessfulpeoplehavebadhabits.LiketheRichHabits,badhabitsarealsoseeds.Theywilltakerootandgrowuntiltheytoobearfruit.Unfortunately,thebadfruitbirthedbybadhabitsbringsdetrimentalluckintothelivesoftheunsuccessful.Thisdetrimentalluckmightbeajobloss,investmentlosses,foreclosure,divorce,illness,orsomethingsimilar.

Tobringsuccessintoyourlifeyouneedtoattracttherightkindofluck.LivingtheRichHabitsguaranteesyouwillattracttherightkindofluck,and

Page 28: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

LivingtheRichHabitsguaranteesyouwillattracttherightkindofluck,andopportunitieswillappear,seeminglyoutofthinair.Aswithlow-hangingfruit,allyouhavetodoisreachoutandpickit.

RichHabitPromiseNumberOne:

Iwillformgooddailyhabitsandfollowthesegooddailyhabitseveryday.

Gooddailyhabitsarethefoundationofsuccess.Successfulpeopledifferfromunsuccessfulpeopleintheirdailyhabits.Successfulpeoplehavemanygoodandfewbaddailyhabits.Unsuccessfulpeoplehavemanybadandfewgooddailyhabits.Mostsuccessfulpeoplearenotevenawarethattheypossesssuchhabits.Thisiswhydefiningsuccesshasalwaysbeendifficult.

Nopersonwilleverbesuccessfuluntiltheycanidentifytheirstrengthsandweaknesses.Self-assessmentrequiresbrutalhonesty.Buthowdoesonedefineagivenstrengthorweakness?Thisisnotaneasytask,asitisoftentoonebulousarequest.Wegetinourownway.Ouregosinterfereandweareleftwithanuncertaintyabouttheaccuracyofourownanalysis.Itismucheasierforathirdpartytoassessusthanforustoassessourselves.

Asimpleandfoolproofapproachtoassessingourselvesistolookatourdailypatternsofliving,ourdailyhabits.Byrecognizingourdailyhabitswegainkeenerinsightsintoourindividualstrengthsandweaknesses.Understandingthatourownbaddailyhabitsarepreventingusfrombecomingsuccessfulrepresentsthefirstandmostsignificantsteponthepathtowardfinancialsuccess.

Onapieceofpaper,formtwocolumns.ListyourBadDailyHabitsundercolumnone.InverteachoneofyourBadDailyHabitsandlisttheiroppositesundercolumntwo,whichwe’llrefertoasyournewGoodDailyHabits.

Seeexampleonthenextpage:

BadDailyHabits GoodDailyHabits

Iwatchtoomuchtelevision. IlimitmyselftoonehourofTVperday.

Idon’texerciseregularly. Iexercisethirtyminuteseachday.

Idon’twatchwhatIeat. IeatnomorethanXXXXcaloriesperday.

Idon’tdomywork-relatedreading. Ireadthirtyminuteseachday.

Iprocrastinate. Icompleteitemsonmyto-dolisteveryday.

IwastetoomuchtimeontheInternet. IlimitmydailyrecreationalInternetuse.

Ismoke. Iwillnotsmoketoday.

Idon’treturnphonecallsrightaway. Iwillreturneveryphonecalltoday.

Page 29: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Idon’treturnphonecallsrightaway. Iwillreturneveryphonecalltoday.

Idon’tremembernames. Iwritedownnamesandrememberthem.

Iforgetimportantdates. Iacknowledgedatesthatareimportanttoothers.

ForthirtydaysfollowyournewGoodDailyHabits.Reviewthemonceinthemorning,onceatnoon,andonceatbedtime.Inthisway,eachandeveryday,holdyourselfaccountableforfollowingthem.TheobjectiveistocompleteatleasteightypercentofyourGoodDailyHabitseachday.

GoodDailyHabitsWorkWeekChecklist(SampleItems)

1. Ireadindustry-relatedmaterialahalf-hourtoday.

2. Iran30minutestoday.

3. Icompleted80%ofmyto-dolisttoday.

4. Icalledatleastoneprospecttoday.

5. IdidnotwastetimeontheInternettoday.

6. Isaid“DOITNOW”whenIdidnotwanttodosomethingtoday.

7. Istoppedmyselffromsayingsomethingsarcastictoday.

8. Istoppedmyselffromsayingsomethinginappropriatetoday.

9. IstoppedmyselffromtalkingtodaywhenIrealizedIwastalkingtoomuch.

10. Iatenomorethan2,000caloriestoday.

11. Ilimitedmyselftotwobeerstoday.

12. Ilefttheofficeafter6p.m.today.

13. Icalledonepersontoday,justtosayhello.

14. Icalledsomeonetodaytowishhimorherahappybirthday.

Summary:

Successfulpeopleareslavestotheirgooddailyhabits.ThisisthefirstRichHabitandthemostimportantRichHabit.

RichHabitPromiseNumberTwo:

Page 30: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Iwillsetgoalsforeachday,foreachmonth,foreachyearandforthelong-term.Iwillfocusonmygoalseachandeveryday.

Successfulpeoplearegoal-oriented.Theycreategoalsallthetime.Dailygoalsarerepresentedintheirdailyto-dolists.Long-termgoalsarebroadinitiativestobeaccomplishedatspecifiedpoints.Successfulpeoplefocusonworkatwork,andleavetheirfamilyandpersonalmattersoutsidetheofficeinanefforttoachievetheirbusinessgoals.

Successfulpeoplearelong-termthinkers.Theyareconstantlylookingtothefutureinanefforttodeterminewheretheyareintermsofaccomplishingtheirgoals.Theydonotdwellonthepast–nodaydreamingaboutpastsuccessesorfailures.Theycontinuouslymakecoursecorrectionstogetbackontrackinachievingtheirgoals.

Unsuccessfulpeoplearenotgoal-oriented.Likeleavesonafallday,theyfloatintheairaimlessly,withoutdirection.Theyallowthedistractionsofdailylivingtoaffecttheirabilitytoperformtheirdutiesatwork.Theyallowthemselvestobecomeeasilydistractedbythingsthathavenothingtodowiththeirwork.Sincetheyarenotfocusedongoals,theyhavenothinggroundingthemtothetaskstheyneedtoperformtobecomesuccessful.

DailyGoals

Beforebeginningeachday,compileaDailyGoal/To-doList.Listonlythosethingsthathavearealisticprobability(eightypercentchance)ofbeingcompletedthatday.Prioritizethislistandsetaspecifictimeinwhichtotackleeachitem.Thelower-priorityitemsarethosethathavealowprobability(bottomtwentypercent)ofbeingaccomplishedthatdayandcanbeaccomplishedthesubsequentday.Dothisinordertobuildflexibilityintotheto-dolistandavoidthefrustrationoffailingtoaccomplishtheimportanttaskssetforthatday.Duringtheday,markoffeachcompletedtaskandcongratulateyourselfinitsaccomplishment.Attheendofthedayevaluatetheto-dolist.Thisforcesaccountability.

RichHabitsDailyGoals/To-DoList(SampleWeekDay)

Description When

Profession-relatedreading. 6-6:30A.M.

Checkvoicemailandemail. 8:30A.M.

Callonepersonjusttosayhello. 9:00A.M.

Page 31: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

MakeHappyBirthdaycalls/emails. 9:00A.M.

Callprospectlist. 9:30A.M.

CompletependingLifeInsuranceapplications. 10:00A.M.

Follow-uponpendingcases. 11:00A.M.

Clientmeetings. 1-5P.M.

Returnallphonecalls. 5:00P.M.

End-of-dayprospectcalling. 5:30P.M.

Intheaboveexample,completingeightoutoftenDailyGoalsforthedayisconsideredsuccessful.

MonthlyGoals

Atthebeginningofeachmonth,listmonthlygoals.Thesearegoalswitharealisticprobabilityofbeingreachedbytheendofthemonth.Breakdowneachgoalintotasksorsteps.Themonthlygoalscouldbethenumberofinsurancepoliciestowritethatmonth,orthenumberofnewclientsyouhopetogain,orarevenuetargetforthemonth.Thesegoalsmightincludeaprojecttobecompletedoranarticletobewritten.

EXAMPLE-MONTHLYGOALNUMBERONE:Iwillwritefivelifeinsurancepoliciesthismonth.InordertoachievethisgoalIwillneedtomeetwithtenprospectseachweekforthenextfourweeks.Inorderforthesemeetingstooccur,Iwillmakefiftyphonecallseachweek,whichbreaksdownintotencallseachday.

GoalsforthecurrentYearandtheFollowingYear

Goalsforthecurrentyearandforthefollowingyearrepresentinitiativesthatyouhavesomedegreeofcontroloverachieving.Breakdowneachgoalintotasksthatneedtobeaccomplished.

EXAMPLE–CURRENTYEARGOALNUMBERONE:IwillpasstheCPAexamthisyear.InordertoreachthisgoalIwillstudy.IwillestablishastudyplaninwhichIwillstudyonehoureachdayduringtheweekandsixhoursovereachweekend.Iwillreviewthestudymaterialandcompletethepracticeexams.

Long-termGoals

Long-termgoalsrepresentbroad,far-reachinginitiatives.Thinkofyourlong-

Page 32: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Long-termgoalsrepresentbroad,far-reachinginitiatives.Thinkofyourlong-termgoalsasyour“wishlist.”Createaplanforaccomplishingeachgoalandincludethetasksneededtobeaccomplished.

EXAMPLE–LONG-TERMGOALNUMBERONE:Iwillbuyahouseinfiveyears.InordertoreachthisgoalIwillsaveonethousanddollarspermonthforthenextfiveyears.InordertosaveonethousanddollarspermonthIwillreducemyexpensesanddeposittwo-hundred-and-fiftydollarseachpayperiodintoaseparatesavingsaccount.

RichHabitsGoalSheet

CurrentYearGoals NextYear’sGoals Long-TermGoals

TakeCPAExam WriteandPublishBook Make$....WithinFiveYears

ObtainLong-TermCareDesignation

IncreaseSavingsAnother$.... BuyConvertibleForMyWife

IncreaseSavingsAccountby$.... TakeCFPExam BecomeaPartnerby....

PayOffCarLoan GetMyWeightDownto180Pounds PayOffMortgageby....

LoseTenPoundsby.... RunMarathon BuyBeachHouseby....

ObtainPromotionto.... IncreaseSalaryto.... Accumulate$....InCollegeSavingsForMyChildren

Ausefultechniquetoassistinkeepinglong-termgoalsinsightistheuseofavisionboard.Avisionboardisanactualpictureoflong-termgoals.Thismaybeapictureofthehouseyoudesiretobuy,apictureofthebusinessyouhopetoownoneday,orapictureofthetypeofplaceyouhopetoretiretooneday.Beforeherosetogreatfame,comedianJimCareywroteoutachecktohimselffortwentymilliondollarsandkeptthatcheckinaplacewherehewouldseeiteveryday.Thatcheckrepresentedavisionboardofalong-termgoalhedesiredtoachieveoneday–tobepaidtwentymilliondollarsforamovie.Whentheopportunityaroseforaleadingroleinamovie,guesswhatJimCarey’sdemandforcompensationwas?Twentymilliondollars.Andhegotit!

Summary:

Successfulpeoplesetgoalsandcreateaplantoreachthosegoals.

Page 33: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

RichHabitPromiseNumberThree:

Iwillengageinself-improvementeveryday.

Successfulpeopleengageintheprocessofself-improvementeveryday.Theyreadindustryperiodicalsandtechnicalmaterialspecifictotheirprofessionortrade.Theybecomestudentsoftheirindustry,profession,ortrade,andkeepcurrentwithchangesthatoccur.Theydonotspendexcessiveamountsofnon-worktimewatchingtelevision,orsurfingtheInternet.

Successfulpeoplereadforself-improvement.Theyareperpetualstudents.Eachdaytheydevoteblocksoftimetobetterthemselvesbystudyingsubjectmatterthatwillimprovetheminsomewayandbetterenablethemtoperformtheirjobs.Timeistoovaluabletobewastedonmatterswithnotangiblevalue.Theycoordinatetheirgoalswithself-improvementandsetspecificgoals.Thismayinvolveobtaininganadditionallicense,adegree,ordevelopinganewnichefortheirbusiness.Theyarecontinuouslyengagedinsomeconstructiveprojecttoincreasetheirskillsets,promotetheirbusinessorcareers,keeptheirmindssharp,orexpandtheirbusinessprospects.

Unsuccessfulpeoplearenotstudentsoftheirindustry,profession,ortrade.Theydonotroutinelyfollowtheirindustry.Theydonotregularlyreadindustryperiodicals.Theywouldratherspendhourseachdaywatchingtelevisionorengagedin“junk”reading.Theyuserationalizationtojustifytheirnegligenceinimprovingthemselves.

Self-improvementinvolvesengagingissomeactivityeverydaythatwillimproveyourmindandexpandyourknowledgetobetteryourcareer.Expandingknowledgewithinyourindustryisaself-improvementactivitythatyoumustengagein.Thiscanbedonebyregularlyreadingyourindustryperiodicalsandadvancingyourcareerbyobtainingadditionallicenses,skillsets,ornewnichesforyourbusiness.Career-specificself-improvementactivitiesarenecessarytoincreaseskillsandtakeadvantageofopportunities.Youwillnoticethat,asyourknowledgebasegrows,opportunitiesbegintopresentthemselves.

Chooseatimewhentherearefewerdistractionsandyoucansetasideablockoftime.Sometimesthisispossibleintheearlymorninghours,priortobeginningyournormalworkday.Ataminimum,setasidethirtyminuteseachdayfortheseactivities.Thirtyminutesperdaymaynotseemlikemuch,butovertime,itaddsuptoasignificantamountofself-improvementactivity.Nomatterwhattimeofthedayworksbestforyou,engageindailyself-improvementactivitieswithoutinterruptions.

Page 34: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Summary:

Successfulpeopledevotetimeeachandeverydaytoself-improvement.

RichHabitPromiseNumberFour:

Iwilldevotepartofeachandeverydayincaringformyhealth.

Successfulpeoplemakeaconcertedefforttoeatrightandexerciseeveryday.Theyconsidernotonlywhattheyeat,butalsohowmuchtheyeat.Theymanagetheirconsumptionoffood.Successfulpeopledonotbingeoroverindulgeinfoodordrink.Iftheydoslip,itismanagedoverindulgence,relegatedtothatofaninfrequentoccurrenceratherthanaregularoccurrence,suchasaholidaymealoraparty.

Forsuccessfulpeople,exerciseisaroutine,likebrushingtheirteeth.Theyunderstandthatdailyexerciseimprovestheirbodiesandminds.Routineexerciseimprovestheimmunesystemandresultsinfewersickdays.Thisfurtherallowsforanincreaseinproductivity,sincethefrequencyofsickdaysislessthanthatofothers.Peoplewhoregularlyexercisegenerallyhavemoreenergyduringtheday.

Successfulpeoplehaveasystemorroutineforweightmanagementthatworksbestforthem.Somehavesophisticatedsystems,somelesssophisticated,butthey“manage”theirweight.Managingweightmeansmonitoringtheamountoffoodconsumedeverydayandengaginginadailyexerciseregimen.

Unsuccessfulpeoplehavenoconsistent,day-to-daycontrolovertheirhealth.Theyarealwaysinsearchofthelatestandgreatestquick-fixdietidea.Unsuccessfulpeopledealwithhealthmatterssporadicallyandusuallyrequireoutsideinfluencestomotivatethemtoeatlessoreatdifferently.Thisisthereasonwhytherearesomanydietbooksoutthere.Withlittlecontrolovertheireatinghabits,theygothroughphasesofgainingandlosingweightagainandagain.Thisbehaviortakesatollonthebody,whicheventuallymanifestasmedicaldisorders,suchashighbloodpressure,diabetes,heartdisease,andthelike.

Unsuccessfulpeopleapproachexercisethesamewaytheyapproachtheirconsumptionoffood,requiringsomeoutsideforcetomomentarilymotivatethem.Whenthatmotivationwearsoff,theyfallbackintobadhabits,stopexercising,andgainweightaspartofacyclethatrecursthroughouttheirlives.

Aneasywaytomonitorfoodconsumptionistocountthecaloriesaftereverymealorsnack,anddocumentdailyconsumption.Inbeginningaweight

Page 35: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

mealorsnack,anddocumentdailyconsumption.Inbeginningaweightmanagementprogram,firstgainanunderstandingofthespecificfoodsyoueatonadailybasis.Duringthefirstthirtydaysofyourweightmanagementprogramyouwillneedtotrackwhatyounormallyeatandfigureoutthenumberofcaloriesforeachfooditem.Duringthisthirtydayperiodyouwillbeabletoidentifycertainfoodsthatarehighincaloriesandyoucanthereafterchoosetoavoidthosehigh-caloriefoods,atleastonaregularbasis.

Donotconfusemonitoringandmanagingfoodconsumptionwithdieting.Theyarenotthesame.Dietsdon’tworkinmanagingweightinthelongterm.Thereasonisthattheyaretoorestrictive,unsustainableand,quitefrankly,takethefunoutoflife.Managingtheconsumptionoffooddoesnotmeanstarvingorneveragaineatingspecialtreats.Youaregoingtoeattreatsfromtimetotimeandyoushouldnotfeelguiltyaboutthis.Yousimplyneedtounderstandthatyoucan’teatthosehigh-caloriefoodseveryday,asthiswilllikelypushyouoveryourdailycaloricthreshold,whichisthethresholdyouneedtostaywithininordertoloseormaintainyourweight.Youshouldbefreetoeatanddrinkthethingsyoulikewhenthespiritmovesyou.Butyouneedtounderstandthateatingsomeofthefoodsyoulovemightmeanoccasionallyexceedingyourcaloricthresholdforthatday,whichisfineaslongasthisistheexceptionratherthantherule.

Monitoringfoodconsumptiononlygetsyouhalfwaytowardmanagingweight.Youmustengageinadailyaerobicexerciseregimenforatleasttwentytothirtyminutesaday,fourdaysperweek.Joggingoutdoorsprovidesthemosteffectiveresults.Thenumberofcaloriesburnedwithrunningisgreaterbyaboutone-thirdthananindoortreadmill,Stairmaster,orstationarybike.Liftingweights,sit-ups,push-ups,andthelike,aregoodsupplementstoanybasicaerobicactivity,buttheyarenotsubstitutesforaerobicactivity.Bythemselves,theseexerciseswillnothelpyouloseweightasmuchastheywillhelpyoushapeandtoneyourbody.Aerobicactivityisthemostreliableactivitytohelpyouloseweightandshouldbethefoundationforyourexerciseregimen.

Morningmaybethebesttimetoengageinexerciseactivity.Byprecedingtheworkday,youarelesslikelytobepulledawaybyschedulingissuesorconflictsthatoftenoccurduringtheday.

AgreattooltomonitoryourweightistheRichHabitsWeightManagementTrackingSchedule.Trackingtakesonlyfiveminuteseachday.Youwillbegintoseepatternsinyourweightmanagementthatenableyoutobetterunderstandyourbodyandallowyoutogaincontroloveryourweight.WithintwomonthsofcompletingtheRichHabitsWeightManagementTrackingSchedule(seenextpage)youwillbeabletodetermineyourindividualdailycaloricthresholdandyoucanthenmanageyourcalorieintaketoloseormaintainyourweight.For

Page 36: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

youcanthenmanageyourcalorieintaketoloseormaintainyourweight.Forexample,assumeyourdailythresholdis2,100caloriesperday,giventhelevelofexerciseyoudo.Ifyouconsumelessthan2,100calorieseachday,youwillloseweighteveryday.

Summary:

Successfulpeoplemanagetheirconsumptionoffoodandengageinregularexercise.

Page 37: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals
Page 38: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

RichHabitPromiseNumberFive:

Iwilldevoteeachandeverydaytoforminglifelongrelationships.

Tosuccessfulpeople,relationshipsarelikegold.Theytendtorelationshipslikeafarmertendscrops,nurturingthemeveryday,rememberingnames,birthdays,giftsfornewborns,andinteractingfrequently.Successfulpeopleseektohelptheirrelationshipsandtheirbusinessassociates,evenwhenthereisnothinginitforthem.Theyarefocusedonothers,ratherthanonthemselves.

Forsuccessfulpeople,networkingisaprerequisitetotheirsuccess.Theydevelopsystemsandprocessesastoolstoassisttheminnetworkingefforts.Theysearchforreasonstoreachouttotheircontacts,suchasbirthdaycontactsorcongratulatorycalls,cards,orgifts.Theyattendimportantcelebrationsandmilestonessuchasgraduations,funerals,andweddings.Theynetworkwithindividualswhoarelike-minded.Theydonotwastetheirtimedevelopingandnurturingrelationshipswithindividualswhoareonlyoutforthemselves.Theycutalltiesthatareharmfulordestructive,andstayclearofindividualswhoareperpetuallyinastateofturmoil.Manytimesthisturmoilisfinancialinnature.

Page 39: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

perpetuallyinastateofturmoil.Manytimesthisturmoilisfinancialinnature.Theseindividualshavebadhabitsandoftendragdowntheirfriendsorassociates.

Successfulpeoplearestudentsofrelationshipbuilding.Theyfaithfullyreturnphonecallsrightaway.Theycontinuouslyseekoutwaystoimprovetheirrelationships.

Unsuccessfulpeoplehavea“Whathaveyoudoneformelately?”attitudeaboutrelationships.Some,oddlyenough,evenconsideritavirtuewhentheyintentionallyshortchangeothers.Ifanindividualcannotprovidethemwithsomeimmediatevalue,theyareignoreduntilneeded.Nocalls,emails,orcardsonbirthdays.Nogiftscongratulatingtheir“friends”orassociatesontheimportanteventsintheirlives.Unsuccessfulpeoplearenotgoodnetworkers.Theydon’tseektoimprovetheirrelationshipswithothersonacontinuousandregularbasis.Theydonotreturnphonecallsrightaway,andsometimesnotatall.

Unsuccessfulpeopleadopta“putoutthefire”mindsetinmanagingrelationships.Whenacrisisarises,andunsuccessfulpeopleoftenhavesuddencrisesintheirlives,theyreachoutforhelp.Oftentimes,theyseekassistancefromanindividualtheyhaveneglected.Whenitcomestorelationships,unsuccessfulpeoplesimplydonotcareenoughtoinvesttimeindevelopingrelationships.

Successfulpeopleemployasysteminmanagingtheirrelationships.Somehavesystemsthatcanbequitesophisticatedandutilizethelatestintechnologyandsoftware.Whateversystemyoucreateforyourself,findawaytotrackvarioustypesofinformationabouteachofyourcontacts.Besidesnames,addresses,phonenumbers,andemailinformation,captureotherimportantdatasuchas:professions;birthdays;spousenames;spousebirthdays;namesofchildren;college,graduateschool,lawschooletc.;hobbies,interests,andotherimportantdata.“Important”meansimportanttoyourcontact.ThemostcommoncontactmanagementsystemisOutlook.AlmostanyonewithacomputerhasOutlook.SomecellphonesevenlinkupwithOutlook,givingyoutheabilitytocarrycontactinformationwithyou.

Havingthegreatestcontactmanagementsystemintheworlddoesyounogoodunlessyouputyoursystemtogooduse.Themostbasicsystemprovidesaprocessthatremindsyouofacontact’sbirthdaysoyoucanreachouttothemtowishthemahappybirthday.Evenifyoudonotregularlycommunicatewithaspecificperson,thisminimumamountofcontactkeepsyourrelationshipalive.Birthdaycallsallowyoutomaintainarelationshipbybeingintouchatleastonceayear.Yourcontactmayreciprocate,thusincreasingthefrequencyofyourcontactswiththisindividualtotwotimesperyear.

Ihavenevermetasuccessfulpersonwhohasnotsharedwithmethesamenastylittlesecret...eachofushasdifficultyrememberingnames.Toovercome

Page 40: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

nastylittlesecret...eachofushasdifficultyrememberingnames.Toovercomethisfailing,successfulpeoplecreateasystemtohelpthemremembernamesofeventhemostremotecontacts.

Agoodwaytoremembernamesistogroupyourcontactsbycategory.Forexampleyoucangroupcontactsintothefollowingcategories:

TenniscontactsGolfcontactsBowlingcontactsClubcontactsNeighborcontactsFriendJohnSmith’sfriendsCollegefriendsSpouse'scollegefriendsBusinesspartner’sfriendsWorkassociatesandtheirfamiliesChurch/synagogue/mosque,orcommunitycontacts,etc.

Beforeanyeventinwhichyouarelikelytorunintooneormoreofyourcontactsyoucanpulloutthatcategory’sgroupofcontactsandreviewtheirnamesjustbeforeyougototheevent.Namesareimportanttoeachoneofusandweallappreciatewhensomeonefeelswe’reimportantenoughtoberememberedbyname.

Summary:

Successfulpeoplefoster,grow,andimprovetheirrelationshipswithotherseachandeveryday.Theydevotesignificantamountsoftimenetworking.

RichHabitPromiseNumberSix:

Iwillliveeachandeverydayinastateofmoderation.

Toliveinmoderationmeanstoliveabalancedlife–noextremes.Successfulpeopleavoidexcesses,wildemotionalswings,addictions,obsessions,binging,starvation,extravagances,andfanaticalbehavior.Theykeeptheirthoughtsandemotionsonashortleash.Theyunderstandtheneedtobeonanevenkeelandincontroloftheirlives.

Successfulpeopledonotbinge,cram,overindulge,orbehaveinan

Page 41: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Successfulpeopledonotbinge,cram,overindulge,orbehaveinanexcessivemanner.Theyunderstandthatlifeisamarathonandnotasprint.Theymoderatetheirworkhours,eatinghabits,exercise,alcoholintake,watchingtelevision,reading,Internetuse,phoneconversations,emails,textmessages,conversations,entertainment,sexualrelations,andsoon.Theirpersonalitiesreflectthismoderatemindset.Theydonotbecomeoverlyexcitedorexcessivelymelancholy.Theyareeven-tempered,andslowtoangerorexcitement.Theirmoderatemindsetputsfamily,friends,colleagues,andbusinesspartnersatease,whichhelpsimproverelationships.Asaconsequence,peopleenjoybeingaroundthem.Thereisacomfortlevelindealingwiththeminallmatters.

Successfulpeopleeat,drink,entertain,andlivemoderatelifestyles.Contrarytowhatmanybelieve,andasageneralrule,theirhomes,cars,personaleffects,vacations,etc.,arenotextravagant.WarrenBuffet,oneofthewealthiestindividualsintheworld,haslivedinthesamehomehewasmarriedinmorethanfiftyyearsago.Hishomeismodestwithnofenceorsurroundingwall.Whileheownsaprivatejetbusiness,hefliescommercialairlines.Hedrivesbackandforthtoworkinhiscareveryday.WarrenBuffetlivesthisRichHabitonadailybasis.

Unsuccessfulpeopleliveinextremes.Theyeattoomuchanddrinktoomuch.Theyoverreacttoevents.Theypermittheiremotionstoswinginextrememanners,whichcreategreatconflictandpainintheirrelationships.Emotionssuchasanger,happiness,love,hate,jealousy,andenvyareplacedonaverylongleash,perhapsreeledinmomentarilywhentheirmostimportantrelationshipsareplacedinjeopardy.Theyobsessoverfood,drink,sex,drugs,gossip,personalpossessions,theiropinions,theirthoughts,andtheiractions.

Unsuccessfulpeoplehavelittlecontrolovertheirlives.Theyhavewildswingsintheirmoods,whichresultinstrainedhealth,strainedrelationships,andstrainedfinances.Theyhavea“keepupwiththeJones”mindset.Theirspendingpatternsarecontinuouslyinfluencedbyothers.Iftheyfallintomoneysomehow,theyspendthismoneyonbighomesandexpensivecarstoimpressothers.Mortgagesandloansstretchthemfinancially.Manyrefinancetheirhomesinanefforttomaintaintheirlifestyles.Anunexpectedevent,suchasajobloss,temporarydisability,orsuddendeclineinearnings,resultsinimmediatefinancialcatastrophebecauseunsuccessfulpeoplelivepaychecktopaycheck.Theyhavenosavingsorfinancialsafetynet.Theirprioritiesaremisplaced.Theyareincapableoflivingmoderatelifestyles,prioritizingtheirneedscorrectly,orlivingwithintheirmeans.

Summary:

Successfulpeopledoeverythinginmoderation.

Page 42: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Successfulpeopledoeverythinginmoderation.

RichHabitPromiseNumberSeven:

Iwillaccomplishmydailytaskseachandeveryday.Iwilladopta“doitnow”mindset.

Successfulpeopledonotprocrastinate.Theydonotputoffuntiltomorrowwhattheycandotoday.Theyarefocusedonaccomplishingthings.Theycreate“to-do”liststorecordandplantheaccomplishmentsdesiredforeachday.Theyunderstandtheneedtobetheonescontrollingtheirlives.Theydonotletlifeoreventscontrolthem.Asaresult,theyareresponsivetoclients,patients,businesspartners,family,andfriends.

Successfulpeoplearegoal-oriented.Theysetgoalsandachievethem.Theyareconstantlycompletingtasksandprojectsinatimelymanner.Theyareproactive.Consequently,theyarenotengagedinthepracticeofputtingoutfiresordealingwithemergencies.Theyignorethevoiceofprocrastination.

Unsuccessfulpeopleprocrastinate.Theydelay,putoff,anddeferthingsthatshouldandcouldbedonethatveryday.Theirprocrastinationcreatesproblemsthatrequireimmediateattention.Procrastinationincreasestheriskofforgettingsomethingimportant,ordealingwithacriticalmatterinanemergencysetting,whichrisksmistakes,errors,andlegalliabilitiesthatcanresultinlawsuits.Procrastinationleadstopoorqualityinwhateverservicetheyprovide.Thelivesofunsuccessfulpeoplearehaphazard,confused,andcomplicated.Theycannotaccomplishmuchastheyareconstantlyputtingoutonefireafteranother.Theyreactinsteadtooutsideforces,whichcommandtheirimmediateattention.Theyhavenocontrolovertheirlivesortheirdailyschedules.Theyfeelpowerlessanddirectionless.

Donotprocrastinateordelayinactivitiesthatshouldbeperformedinagivenday.Whenthethoughtofputtingoffsomethingentersyourmind,immediatelycastthisthoughtoutbysaying,“DoItNow.”Repeatthesethreewordsahundredtimesadayifnecessary.Donotallowthoughtsofprocrastinationevenasecondoflife.Onceyouarefullyengagedinanactivity,youwillsoonfindyourselfabsorbedintheactivityandallthoughtsofdeferringthetaskwillbegone.Youwillfeelexhilaratedinaccomplishingthetaskandfeelincontrolofyourlife.

Summary:

Page 43: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Successfulpeopledonotprocrastinateandhavea“DoItNow”mindset.

RichHabitPromiseNumberEight:

Iwillengageinrichthinkingeveryday.

Successfulpeoplearepositive,enthusiastic,energetic,happy,andwell-balancedindividuals.Theyfeelpowerful,incontrol,confident,andenergized.Thisisnotbyaccident.TheyaredisciplesofRichThinking.Whentheytalktothemselves,theirwordsareuplifting,notcritical.Theycongratulatethemselvesinternallyallthetime.Theyusepositiveaffirmationseverydaytoreinforcetheirattitudesandcreateapositivemindset.Theydonotgetdownonthemselveswhenproblemsoccur.TheyhaveadoptedtheRichThinkingthatproblemsandobstaclesareopportunities.

Successfulpeoplecontroltheirthoughtsandemotions.Badthoughtsaredisplacedimmediatelybygoodthoughts.Theyunderstandthatallowingabadthoughtevenasecondoflifewillpermitthebadthoughttotakerootandeventuallychangetheirbehaviorinanegativeway.Theyfeedtheirmindswithpositive,goodthoughts,andletthemtakeroot,eventuallyblossoming,andonedaybearingfruit.

Successfulpeoplethinkrichthoughtseveryday.Theyusepositiveaffirmationsandvisualizationtechniquestodriveandaltertheirmindset.Contrarytowhatyoumaybelieve,successfulpeoplehavedirethoughtsentertheirminds.Howcouldtheynot,withallofthenegativenewsthatweareconstantlybombardedwithfromthevariousmediaoutlets?Everydaywearebombardedwithbadthoughts.Theinformationweabsorbcausesfear,anxiety,angst,anditiseasytofallvictimtothisbarrageofnegativity.Successfulpeoplerealizethisandtrytominimizetheirconsumptionoftelevision,radioprogramming,orInternetsitesthatarenegative.Rather,theywatchorlistentoprogrammingthatisconstructiveoruplifting.Theyreadpositivenewspaperormagazinearticlesandstayawayfromthenegativeones.Successfulpeoplecontrolwhattheyseeandheareveryday.

Lastly,successfulpeoplearegratefulforallthatlifehasgiventhem.Theyexpressthankseveryday,oftentimesbeforesleeporuponwakinginthemorning.Someevenmaintainalist,whichtheyreadeveryday;settingforthalltheyaregratefulfor.

Unsuccessfulpeoplearecriticalofthemselves.Theyareoftentheirownworstcritics.Theyengageinnegative,destructivethinking.Theyallowbadthoughtstoentertheirmindsandtakeroot,whicheventuallycausesbad

Page 44: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

thoughtstoentertheirmindsandtakeroot,whicheventuallycausesbadbehavior.Theylackmotivation,enthusiasm,andoftenfallintostatesofmentaldepressionthatcanlastfordaysorweeksatatime.Theywatchtoomuchnegativeprogrammingontelevisionandradio.Theybuynewspaperswithheadlinesdesignedtostirbaseemotions.TheyfrequentnegativeInternetsites.Theyfeelhopelessandpowerless.

Oneofthemostsuccessfultechniquesusedtoalteryourmindsetistoemploypositiveaffirmations.Thesearewordswecanfeedourmindseverydaytofostertheattitudewedesire.Theyneedtobewordedinsuchawayasifthetraityoudesireisalreadyyours.

PositiveAffirmations

“Icompletemy‘to-do’listeveryday.”“Iaccomplishmygoals.”“Iamlucky.”“Iamsuccessful.”“Imakethreehundredthousanddollarsayear.”“IownavacationhomeinLongBeachIsland.”“Iamaseniorexecutiveinmycompany.”“Ipayformychild’scollegetuitionoutofmyearningsorsavings.”“Ilovemyjob.”“Iloveworkingwithothers.”“Iamconfident.”“Ihavealargenetworkofrelationships.”“Icallmyparentseveryweek.”“Iamacertifiedpublicaccountant.”“Ilivemylifeinmoderation.”

Positiveaffirmationsrepresentthepictureoftheindividualyouhopetobe,thethingsyouhopetoachieve,assetsyouhopetoown,andincomeyouhopetoearn.Theymustbespecificandinthepresenttensetobeeffective.Makealistofpositiveaffirmationsandkeepthembyyourside.Reviewthemonceinthemorning,onceintheafternoon,andrightbeforeyougotosleep.Letthesepositiveaffirmationsseepintoyourmindeveryday.Theyrepresentyourmostpositive,goodthoughts,andtheywilltakeroot.Eventsandcircumstanceswillbegintomanifestthemselvesaroundyourpositivethinkingandopportunitieswillappearseeminglyoutofthinair.

Page 45: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Summary:

SuccessfulpeopleengageinRichThinkingeveryday.

RichHabitPromiseNumberNine:

Iwillsavetenpercentofmygrossincomeeverypaycheck.

Successfulpeoplepaythemselvesfirst.Beforeanybillsgetpaid,successfulpeoplesetasidetenpercentoftheirgrossearningsintosomesavings,investment,orretirementvehicle.Theyinvesttheirmoneywisely,watchovertheirsavingsregularly,andsetrealisticgoalsfortheirinvestmentreturns.Theyhavehighcreditscores,knowtheirnetworth,andmonitortheirpersonalbalancesheet.Theyuseonlythemostqualifiedfinancialprofessionalstomaximizetheirreturnsandminimizetheirtaxes.Everysuccessfulpersonemploystheservicesofacertifiedpublicaccountant,consideredbymanytobethemosttrustedfinancialadvisor.Theymayalsoseekoutattorneysorcertifiedfinancialplannerswhospecializeinfinancialorestateplanning.Theyusetheseprofessionalstohelpthemmanagetheirmoneyandtheirtaxes.

Successfulpeoplehavearetirementplan.Theyparticipatetothefullestextentpermittedinretirementplansofferedbytheiremployers.Manyoftheseretirementplansallowemployeestoputaway,inatax-deferredmanner,tenpercentormoreoftheirearningseachyear.Iftheircompanydoesnothavearetirementplan,theycreatetheirownretirementplanbyfundingindividualretirementaccounts.Theyaddtotheseaccountswitheverypaycheck.Theyhaveretirementgoals.Theymonitortheirretirementplanregularlyandmakecoursecorrectionsinanefforttoreachtheirretirementgoal.

Unsuccessfulpeoplepaythemselveslast.Theylivepaychecktopaycheck,spendingeverypennytosupporttheirlifestyle.Theyarepoorsaversandcarryexcessiveamountsofdebt.Theyhavehomeequityloans,whicharetappedout.Theircreditcardsaremaxedout,andtheycanbarelymakethemonthlyminimumpayments.Theyhavepoorcreditscores.Theydonotmanageormonitortheircreditscores.Unsuccessfulpeopledonotparticipateregularlyinemployerretirementplansorfundtheirownretirementplan.Somegambleexcessivelyandviewthelotteryastheirretirementplan.Theytakerisks,whichareeitherunnecessaryornotthoughtthrough.Theydon’tsetasidetenpercentoftheirearningsand,consequently,whentheyreachretirementage,theydonothaveenoughretirementsavingstoallowthemtoretirewithfinancialsecurity.Theyrationalizethattheycannotaffordtosetasidetenpercentoftheirearnings.

Page 46: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Theyrationalizethattheycannotaffordtosetasidetenpercentoftheirearnings.Theyareunwillingtoaltertheirlifestyleinordertosaveadequately.Moreoftenthannot,unsuccessfulpeoplehavenochoicebuttocontinueworkingwellintotheirretirementyears.

Summary:

Successfulpeoplepaythemselvesfirstbyputtingtenpercentoftheirpaychecksintosavingsorretirementplans.

RichHabitPromiseNumberTen:

Iwillcontrolmythoughtsandemotionseachandeveryday.

Successfulpeoplearethemastersoftheirthoughtsandemotions.Theydonotfallpreytoanger,jealousy,excitability,sadness,orotherpettyemotions.Theycastoutallbadthoughtsandemotions.Theydonotallowthemevenasecondoflife.Theyunderstandthatbadthoughtscreatebaddecisionsthatresultinbadconsequences.Theyreplacethesebadthoughtsandemotionswithgoodthoughtsandpositiveemotions.Theyusethefollowingtechniquewhenfacedwithadifficultsituationthatpresentsitself:“Think,Evaluate,andReact.”Thinkinggivesthemtimetounderstandthesituation.Evaluatingthesituationbuysmoretimetodeterminethecorrectcourseofaction.Reactingisthelastthingtheydoandmostlikelywillbetheappropriatereaction,astheytookthetimetochoosetheirreaction.

Successfulpeoplearetoobusytoallowthemselvestoindulgeinbeingsadordepressed.Theyengageinproductiveactivities,whichtaketheirmindsofftheirsadnessordepression.Theyareconstantlyengagedinprojectsorself-improvementactivitiesthatpromotepositivefeelingsaboutthemselves.Successfulpeoplefeelasiftheyhavetotalcontrolovertheiremotionsandthoughts.

Unsuccessfulpeoplefallpreytopettyemotions.Theylettheiremotionsruletheirbehavior.Theybecomeeasilydepressedandfeelasiftheyhavenocontrolovertheirlives.Theyreactbeforethinking.Theyhaveadoptedthebadhabitof“Ready,Fire,Aim.”Asaconsequenceofthis,therearemanyunsuccessfulpeoplesittinginprisonsthroughouttheworld.

Badhabitscausebadbehavior,whichresultsinbaddecisionsandultimatelyabadlife.Badthoughtsoccurwhenyourmindisidleandnotengagedinsomeconstructiveactivity.Youneedtoconstantlybeengagedinconstructive

Page 47: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

constructiveactivity.Youneedtoconstantlybeengagedinconstructiveactivities,suchasself-improvement,aworthwhileproject,oragoalyouwanttoaccomplish.Ifyouhaveabadthought,immediatelycastthebadthoughtoutandrefocusontheself-improvementactivity,theconstructiveproject,orthegoalyouwishtoaccomplish.

Summary:

Successfulpeoplearethemastersoftheirthoughtsandemotions.

SummaryoftheRichHabitsPromises:

1. IWILLformgooddailyhabitsandfollowthesegooddailyhabitseachandeveryday.

2. IWILLsetgoalsforeachday,foreachmonth,foreachyearandforthelong-term;IWILLfocusonmygoalseachandeveryday.

3. IWILLengageinself-improvementeachandeveryday.

4. IWILLdevotepartofeachandeverydayincaringformyhealth.

5. IWILLdevotepartofeachandeverydaytoforminglifelongrelationships.

6. IWILLliveeachandeverydayinastateofmoderation.

7. IWILLaccomplishmydailytaskseachandeveryday;Iwilladopta“DOITNOW”mindset.

8. IWILLengageinrichthinkingeachandeveryday.

9. IWILLsavetenpercentofmygrossincomeeverypaycheck.

10. IWILLcontrolmythoughtsandemotionseachandeveryday.

Page 48: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

RichHabitsatWork—TheClient

WhentheyturnedthelastpageoftheRichHabitsTrainingProgram,theclientliftedhisheadtoseehisaccountant,J.C.Jobs,staringathim,aslightsmiledrawingupthecornersofhislips.“Well?”heasked.

“That’salotofinformation.”“Itis,”J.C.replied,thesmilespreadingtohiseyesandflushinghischeeks.

“IwantyoutotakethematerialhomewithyouandthinkabouttheRichHabitstonight.FirstthingtomorrowmorningIwantyoutopulloutthematerialandbeginfollowingtheprogram.ReviewtheRichHabitsintheafternoonandagainjustbeforeyougotobed.Dothisforthenextthirtydays.Followtheprogram,reviewtheHabits,livetheHabits,forthenextthirtydays.”J.C.jotteddownadateandtimeonthebackofhisbusinesscardandslidthecardacrossthedesktohisclient.“I’llseeyouinthirtydays.”

Theclientwokeearlythenextmorning,eyesstillcloudyfromanearlyrisehewasnotyetaccustomedto,andopeneduptheRichHabitsTrainingProgrambindercreatedforhimbyJ.C.Jobs.“Let’ssee,”hesaidtohimself.“RichHabitsNumberOnerequiresmetolistallofmybadhabitsinonecolumn.”Theclientdidjustasinstructed.Onebyonehebegantolistallofhisbadhabits..

“IhadnoideahowmanybadhabitsIhad,”hemurmuredtohimself.AsinstructedbyJ.C.andtheprogrammaterials,hebegantoinverthisbadhabits,onebyone,turningtheminsideout.

BadHabits GoodHabits

1 Igambleonsportstoomuch. Ididnotgambleonsportstoday.

2 Ismokecigarettes. Ididnotsmokeacigarettetoday.

3 Igoouttorestaurantstoomuch. Igotorestaurantsonceaweek.

4 Igettoworklatetoooften. Igettoworkontimeeveryday.

5 Igetuplateinthemorning. Iwakeupat5a.m.everyday.

6 Idon’tpayenoughattentiontomywife. Itakeawalkwithmywifeeveryday.

7 Ieattoomuchjunkfood. Ididnoteatjunkfoodtoday.

8 Icursetoomuch. Ididnotcursetoday.

9 Ispendtoomuchtimeatthebar. Ididnotgotothebartoday.

10 Iwatchtoomuchtelevision. Iwatchedtelevisionforthirtyminutestoday.

Thesebecamehisnewgoodhabits,whichhefolloweddiligentlyeveryday.Thiswasnotaneasytask,buthedesperatelywantedtochangehislife,sofollow

Page 49: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

wasnotaneasytask,buthedesperatelywantedtochangehislife,sofollowthemhedid.

Theclientbegantonoticesubtlechangesinhislifealmostimmediately.Thegambling,helearned,wasnotonlydraininghisbankaccountbutwasalsotakingtimeawayfromhiswifeandhisbusiness.Hefoundthatonceheeliminatedhisgamblinghenolongerspenttimeatnightduringtheweekinthelocalsportsbar,watchingtheteamshebeton.Thismeanthedidnothavetostruggleasmuchtogetupinthemornings.Hefoundhimselfabletogettoworkmuchearlierthaneverbefore,evenaftercompletinghisRichHabitsmorningritual.Theextramorningtimeintheofficeallowedhimtogetmorethingscompleted,allowinghimtofinishhisworkdaywithlessstressandatareasonablehourandgivinghimmorequalitytimeathomewithhiswife.Hisrelationshipwithhiswifebegantoperkup.Shelikedhavinghimaroundandspendingtimewithhim.Hisbusinessslowlybegantoimprove.Hewasn’tpullingmoneyoutofhiscompanybankaccounttofinancehisgambling.Hiscompanyexpensesseemedmuchmoremanageable.

Hisnexttask,RichHabitsNumberTwo,wastosetdaily,currentyear,nextyearandlong-termgoals.Hehadneversetgoalsbefore,sothiswasentirelynewtohim.Atfirst,hisdailygoalswerehardtoaccomplish,butheadoptedthe“DoItNow”mindsetrequiredbyRichHabitNumberSevenandafterafewdayshegotthehangofthis.Heevenbegantolookforwardtotickingeachdailygoaloffhislistduringtheday.Hisannualgoals,whichheinitiallyviewedasunrealistic,henowconsideredpossible.Hisconfidencegreweachday.Hefeltproductiveandproud.Hewasimbuedwithanewthinkingthathewouldandcouldeventuallyreachmostofhisgoals.Hebecameenthusiasticabouthiswork,whichfosteredadesiretoworkevenharder.Hissalesincreased,asnewopportunitiesopeneduptohiscompany.

RichHabitNumberFourrequiredthattheclientdevotepartofeachandeverydayincaringforhishealth.Exercisewassomethinghehadengagedinonlysporadicallyandasaresulthehadneverbeenabletoloseweight.Heguessedhewasabouttwenty-fivepoundsoverweight.Worsethanhisexcessweightwerehispooreatinghabits.Ashehadpreviouslynotbeenhomemuch,optingforthelocalsportsbarinstead,heinfrequentlyatehome-cookedmeals.Mostofhisdietconsistedofbuffalowings,burgers,Frenchfries,andbeer.Toremedythis,eachnight,heandhiswifewalkedanhourtogetherafterdinner.Theybothbegantoloseweight.Astheybecamemoremotivatedtoloseweight,theybeganwatchingwhattheyate.Furthermore,thetimetheyspentwalkingenhancedtheirrelationship.

OnebyoneheincorporatedtheRichHabitsintohislife.Anddaybydayhislifechangedforthebetter.Allofthepiecestothepuzzleofhislifebeganfalling

Page 50: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

lifechangedforthebetter.Allofthepiecestothepuzzleofhislifebeganfallingintoplace.Theclientknewhewasontherighttrackandeverythingwasdifferentnow.

Asthedayoftheirfollow-upmeetingapproachedtheclientcouldbarelycontainhisexcitement.HehaddonejustasJ.C.hadadvised.HelivedtheRichHabitsforthirtydays.Thisdayhefeltdifferent,almostreborn,andheknewinhisheartthathewasonthepathtopersonalandfinancialsuccess.

TheclientsharedwithJ.C.allofthethingshewasdoingandthechangesthathad“miraculously”takenplaceduringthisthirty-dayperiod.J.C.grewexcited.HisRichHabitsactuallyworkedonsomeoneotherthanhimself!HecouldseethathisclientwasnowinfusedwiththeRichHabitsmindset.Thetransformationwascomplete.J.C.wasveryhappy.

“Thankyousomuch,”hisclientgushedastheirmeetingdrewtoaclose.“Iwantyoutodomeonefavor,”J.C.said,glancingdownatthephotoof

Deniseonhisdesk.ThepicturewasfromavacationtheyhadtakentoMyrtleBeachtheyearbeforeshepassedaway.Shewasbathedinsunlightandsmilingfromeartoear.“Whenyoucomeacrossanotherpersoninafinancialsituationsimilartotheoneyouarecomingoutof,Iwantyoutoreachouttohelpthembysendingthemtome.IwilldoforthemwhatIhavedoneforyou.”

“Howsimilar?”theclientasked.“Therearealotofpeopleouttherestruggling.”

“Ninety-fivepercent,”J.C.added.Hepausedandconsideredtheclient’squestionforamoment.“Youwillknowwhentheirstorystirssomethinginsideyou.Whentheirstorybringsbackstrongmemoriesofyourdifficulties.Youwillknowwhenyoulookatthedistressedindividualandyoufeelasifyouarelookinginamirrorofyouroldlife.Whenyoucomeacrossthatperson,Iwantyoutoreferthemtome.Willyoudothatforme?”

TheclientagreedandshookJ.C.’shandvigorously.Astheclientexitedhisoffice,J.C.lookeduponthepictureofDeniseonhis

deskandspoketoher,“AslongasI’maliveIwilldomybesttohelpothersbecomefinanciallysuccessful,Denise,sotheymayneverhavetocarrytheburdenIcarrywithmeeveryday.Iloveyou,Denise,andonceagain,I’msorry.”TwotearsstreameddownJ.C’scheeks–onerepresentingregretandtheother,hope.

Page 51: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

RichHabitsatWork—TheSecretary

Deetookaseatontheleftsideoftheroomandcautiouslyeyedtheotherssittingaroundher.Smallcardboardnamecardssatinfrontofeachpersonintheroom.Nearbywasabalding,slightlyoverweightmannamedPheonix.Intherighthandcorneroftheroomsataverywell-dressedmaninhismid-fortiesnamedHerb.Hedidnotlookasthoughhebelongedhere,butDeefiguredthatfailureprobablycameinallpackages.Othersbegantomaketheirwayintothelargetrainingroom,findingtheirseatswiththeirnamecards.Theotherattendeeswerelookingaround,too.Everyoneseemednervous,timid.Deeconsideredthatlastthought.Itwasn’tthattheywerenervousortimid;theywerebeatendown,shedecided.“Noegosinthisroom,”shesaidtoherself.“We’reallinthesameboat,”thevoiceinherheadtoldher.“TheS.S.Titanic.”Shelaughedtoherselfatthatone.

Thetrainingprogramlastedthreehours.Theinstructor,aformerfinancialmessturnedRichHabitsdevotee,enthusiasticallyexpoundedoneachoneoftheRichHabits.Hisenthusiasminfectedeveryoneintheclass.Individualshardenedbyfailurewerelaughing,high-fivingeachotherandsharingintimatedetailsabouttheirspecificcircumstances.J.C.stoppedinhalfwaythroughthetrainingsessionandgaveeveryoneapeptalk.Asifthatwasneeded.Theentiredaywasallsouplifting.Dee,alongwithahundredothersjustlikeher,cheeredandbackslappedeachotheronastheyexitedtheroom,programbindersinhand.Forthatmomentnoneofthemfeltlikeafailure.

DeeturnedouttobeoneofJ.C.Job’smostenthusiasticstudents.RichHabitNumberOnerequiredDeetolistherbaddailyhabits.Sheattackedeveryonelikeapouncingtiger.Alltold,Deeidentifiedabouttenbaddailyhabitssheknewwereholdingherback.Asinstructedbythetrainingmaterial,Deeinvertedeveryoneofthesebaddailyhabitsandtheybecamehernewgooddailyhabits.

RichHabitNumberFourinstructedDeetocareforherhealtheveryday.Shehadneverexercisedorwatchedwhatsheate.Asaresult,Deewasunhealthyandclosetoobese.Shedecidedtolimitherconsumptionoffoodto1,800caloriesperdayanddoaminimumofthirtyminutesofaerobicseveryday.Deelikedtoeat,andintheearlydaysofmoderatingherconsumptionoffoodshefeltlikeshewasstarvingherself.Butthehungerpainssoonbegantofade.Deewastooheavytojog,sowalkingwasherbestoption.BytheendofthethirtydaysDeewaswalkingorslowlyjoggingforty-fiveminuteseachday.Herweightlossthatfirstthirtydayswasanastonishingtwenty-fivepounds.“IhavenotweighedthismuchsinceIgraduatedhighschool,”sheproudlysaidtoherself.

Page 52: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

muchsinceIgraduatedhighschool,”sheproudlysaidtoherself.RichHabitNumberFiveinstructedDeetoexamineallofherrelationships

andeliminatetherelationshipsthatweredestructive.Sheknewherrecentjoblosswascausedbythefrequent“dire”emergenciesheapeduponherbyherfamily.Thesedistractionswerehereventualundoingatheroldjob.Asateenager,Dee'sparentshadabandonedherandshewaslefttothecareofanunwillingaunt.HerauntandcousinsconsideredDeeaburdenonthemandtheymadenobonesaboutthistoDee.Consequently,Deecarriedatremendousguiltforreceivingassistancefromthem.ThisguiltcontinuedintoheryoungadultyearsandherauntandcousinsusedthisguilttofinagleDeeintobailingthemoutoffinancialemergencies.Therelationshipwasaone-waystreetforDee.Theytook,andtook,andtookfromher.Nevergivingback.Shedecidedthatwhenshegotbackonherfeet,shewouldnotallowherselftobeusedbythemeveragain.

OneRichHabitatatimeshebegantoreinventherself.Feelingconfidentoneday,Deereachedouttoheroldboss,JohnAndrews.

Shewantedherjobandherkindoldbossback.SomehowDeetalkedhimintomeetingherforlunch.AtlunchDeetoldJohnabouttheRichHabitsTrainingProgramshewasgoingthrough.Johnwasimpressed.Hecouldseetheeffectivenessofthetraininginherobviousweightloss.DeetoldJohnshehadpulledawayfromhermanipulatingcousinsandthatshewasnotgoingtoallowherselftobedistractedthatwaybyanyoneoranythingeveragain.ShetoldhimshewasconfidentshewouldbeabletomeetJohn’soften-articulated,highexpectationsforher.JohnagreedtotakeDeebackfor“onemoretry,”asheputit.

DespiteNina’sinitialobjectionsatherreturntothecompany,DeeandNinasoonbecamefastfriends.Nina,whoranmostoftheoperations,foundherselfdelegatingmoreandmoreofherresponsibilitiestoDee.

Someyearslater,NinatookoverasCEOofSunbladeandDeetookoverNina’soperationalresponsibilities.Dee,withJ.C.Job’senthusiasticsupport,tookituponherselftoconductRichHabitstrainingsessionsforallSunbladeemployees.TheRichHabits“fever”grippedtheentireorganization.JohneventuallysoldhisinterestinSunbladetoNina,Dee,andsomeoftheotherkeyemployees,whoallworkedveryhardtogrowthecompanytoamuchbiggerenterprisethantheoneJohnleftthem,makingeveryone,financially,verywelloff.PerhapsthemostimportantthingtocomeoutofDee'sRichHabitstransformationwasherfighttogaincontroloverherweightandhealth.Atforty-fouryearsofage,Deecanproudlylookinhermirrorataleanandhealthyreflection.Tomemorializehersecondchanceatlife,thankstotheRichHabits,DeerunsthePhiladelphiahalf-marathoneveryyear.ThisyearDeewillrunher

Page 53: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

DeerunsthePhiladelphiahalf-marathoneveryyear.ThisyearDeewillrunhertwentiethhalf-marathon.

Page 54: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

RichHabitsatWork—TheCarDealer

HerbmayhavebeenoneofthemostfunctionalofalloftheRichHabitsstudentsinhistrainingclass.Hisdeficiencieswerenotmany.Butthefewhehadweredevastatingtohisfinanciallife.TheoneRichHabitherealizedhewasviolatingeverydaywasRichHabitNumberFive:Iwilldevoteeachandeverydaytoforminglifelongrelationships.Herbhadalwaysviewedthecustomerasaone-timesale.Henevertookthetimetobuildanyrelationshipswiththecustomersinhissalescareer.Hisattitudetowardsthecustomer,exhibitedbyhiscut-throatsellingskills,whileveryeffectiveasanemployee,becameacancertohisorganization.Ittrickleddowntotheservicedepartment,thefinanceandinsurancedepartment,andtothesalesdepartment,creatingaculturethatkeptawayformercustomers.Asaconsequence,thedealershipwasforcedtochasenewcustomerseveryday.Theoldonessimplynevercamebacktobuycars.Worse,theyrarelyfrequentedtheservicedepartment,amajorsourceofrevenueinanycardealership.Herbcommittedtochanginghisdealership’sculturetoamorecustomer-friendlyone.

ThefirstthingHerbdidwastoputupalargesigninfrontofhisdealership“UnderNewManagement.”Hewantedeveryonewithin(staff)andwithout(customers)hisdealershiptosharetheperceptionthatthingshadchangedatthedealership.Next,hereachedouttohisoldboss,theonehehadfoughtwithmanytimesoverhistreatmentofcustomers.HeconfidedinhisoldbossabouttheRichHabitsTraininghewasundergoing.HisoldbosswasinterestedinhelpingHerbandagreedtomeetwithhimtwiceaweektohelpeducatehimonsuccessfulcustomerrelationshipmanagementtechniques.HealsointroducedHerbtosomevaluablebankingrelationshipsthatenabledhimtorefinancehisexistingdebtandsecureanextensiononhisfloorplanfinancing.ThisboughtHerbthetimeheneededtoretrainhisstaffandallowforthechangeinthedealership’sculturetotakeeffect.

IntimeHerb’sbusinessimproved.Hehadlearnedtotreathiscustomerslikegold.Hewasabletopayoffhisdebtstothebankersandeventuallynolongerrequiredfloorplanfinancingashecouldself-financehisinventory.Heboughtaseconddealershipsomeyearslater,andthenathird,andafourth,andsoon,astheyearspassedby.

TodayHerbisnotonlyoneofthelargestautomobiledealersinNewEngland,heisalsooneofthetopinstructorsatJ.C.Job’sRichHabitsFoundation,anon-profitorganizationestablishedbyJ.C.toofferfreeRichHabitstrainingtothosewhodonothavethefinancialmeanstoaffordthecostof

Page 55: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Habitstrainingtothosewhodonothavethefinancialmeanstoaffordthecostofattendance.HerbconsidershisproudestaccomplishmentthefactthathehastrainednearlytenthousandindividualsintheRichHabits.

Page 56: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

RichHabitsatWork—TheInsuranceSalesman

ThedayfollowinghisRichHabitstraining,Phoenixgotbusy.HereviewedeachoneoftheRichHabits.TheonethatbotheredhimthemostwasRichHabitNumber

Three:Iwillengageinself-improvementeveryday.ForthelongesttimePhoenixhadconvincedhimselfthathehatedhisjobandmusthavemissedhiscallinginlife,whateverthatcallingmightbe.Assuch,henevertrulydevotedhimselftohiswork.Thiswasevidencedbyhisdisdainforreadinganythinghavingtodowithhisprofession.Herarely,ifever,readanyofthelifeinsuranceindustrytradeperiodicalshereceivedeachmonth.Heknewthishadtochange.The

RichHabitshadopenedhiseyestothisglaringdeficiencyinhisprofessionallife.

Phoenixcommittedthatfirstmorningtoreadinghistechnicalmaterialthirtyminuteseachday.Inthefirstfewdayshereallystruggledwiththiscommitment.Thereadingfelttohimlikepullingteeth.Butaseachdaywentby,thechorebecamealittleeasier.Afteraweekhehadmodifiedhisnewdailyhabitfromthirtyminutestoforty-fiveminutesandaddedproductmaterialtohisreadinglist.Hebegankeepinganotebookonnewfactsorsalesstrategiesthatcamefromhisreading.Hisnotebookbegantofillup.Hetestedsomeofthesalesstrategiesandseemedtohavesomeluck.Hispipelinestartedtofillupwithsolidleads.Hisappointmentsnearlydoubled,whichheacknowledgedtohimselfwasnothardtoaccomplishgivenhispreviousleadconversionsuccess.Nonetheless,hewasproudofhisachievement.Themoreheread,themoresuccessheseemedtohaveschedulingappointments,andthenewstrategieshewastestingoutwereincreasinghisclosingrates.

RichHabitNumberFourstates:Iwilldevotepartofeachandeverydayincaringformyhealth.WhenPhoenixfinishedhismorningreading,heslippedonapairofrunningshoesandtookajogoutside.Heguessedhewasnearlyfortypoundsoverweight.Mostofhisweightwasinhisbellywiththerestseemingtoinflatehisface.Hewasonlyabletojogamileorsoatfirst,butwithintwoweekshewasjoggingtwomileswithoutmuchtrouble.Twomilesincreasedtothreemilesandhisweightbegantofalloff.Thedropinweightpromptedhimtomoderatehiseatingandtostopsmoking.Seeingtheweightfalloffmotivatedhimtopushhimselfharderandeatlesseachday.Itdidn’ttakelongfortenpoundstodisappearfromhisframe.Hiswifeandsonnoticedtheweightlossandthatboostedhisego.

Page 57: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

andthatboostedhisego.AtnightPhoenixmadecoldcallsfromthephonebook.Heneverlikeddoing

thatbefore.ButnowheaddedthistohisDailyGoal/To-dolist.Hestillhatedthecoldcallingbutheremainedcommittedtomakingthesecallseverynight.Afewcoldcallspannedout.Onecreatedareferralopportunitythatledtoalargelifecase.Infact,thatcaseturnedouttobeoneofthelargestinhiscareer.Inspired,hepushedhimselftomakemorecoldcallseachnight.Thisroutinetookawayfromhispatronageofthelocalpub.Hecouldn’tdobothandbesides,allthosebeers,hereasoned,wouldinterferewithhisongoingweightloss.Whenhewasdonewithhiseveningcoldcallingherewardedhimselfwithabeerfromhisrefrigeratorathome.Thatsoonbecamearitualandheenjoyedthatnightlybeermorethananybeerheeverhadatthebar.

Oneday,towardthecloseofthemonth,Phoenixwascalledintotheofficeofhissupervisor.“What’sgoingon?”hissupervisoraskedwithaslighthalf-smile.Phoenixneverlikedbeingcalledintotheboss’soffice.Forhim,thatwasneveragoodexperience.Hewasnervousinhisreply.“Well,alot,Iguess–doingsomethingsdifferentlythismonth.”

“That’swhyIaskedyouinhere,”hisbossreplied.“Ijustreceivedthepreliminaryflashreportforthismonth.You’reproductionnumbersareup.Lookslikeyouhadonebigcase,butwhatinterestsmeisnotthatcasebuttheothersmallercases.”

“Howdoyoumean?”Phoenixwasnowstudyingthereportwithhisboss.“You’vegotaboutadozensmallcaseshere.Thenumbersaren’tindividually

significant,butwhenaddedtogether,they’reprettygood.Whatareyoudoing?”PhoenixwasinitiallyreluctanttoconfideinhisbossabouttheRichHabits

Programhewasfollowingeveryday.ThiswassuchapersonalthingtoPhoenix.Buthisbossseemedsincerelyinterestedandhisreluctancesoonabandonedhim.Hegavehisbossanoverviewoftheexperimenthewasundertaking.Hisbosswasimpressed.

“That’sgreatPhoenix.Ithinkyou’reontosomething.”Hisbossopenedhisdrawandhandedhimanenvelope.

“What’sthis?”Phoenixasked,lookingatanenvelopewithhisnameonit.Theenvelopelookedlikeapaycheckenvelopetohim.

“Openitup,”hisbossurged,asmiledrawingupthecornersofhislips.Phoenixopenedtheenvelopeandtohissurprisetherewasacheckforone

thousanddollarsmadeouttohisname.“What’sthisfor?”heaskedindisbelief.Hehadneverreceivedanycheck

beforefromhisbossotherthanhismeagerpaycheck.“Youcameinthirdthismonthinproductionnumbers.Thirdqualifiesyou

foramonthlyproductionbonus.”

Page 58: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

foramonthlyproductionbonus.”Phoenix’sfacialexpressionadvertisedhisshock.Hisbossgrabbedhishand,

pulledittohimandshookitvigorously.ThatnightPhoenixshowedhiswifethecheck.“Ifeellikeframingthis,”he

toldhiswife.“Inevergotoneofthesebefore.”Hiswifehuggedhimandsaid,“Let’scelebrate.Let’sgoouttodinner.”Phoenixheldthatthoughtinhisheadforamoment,thenreplied.“No.I

can’t.I’vegottomakesomephonecallstonight.Let’scelebrateFridayinstead.Isthatokay?”

“Sure.That’sfine.We’llcelebrateFriday.”

ThemonthlyproductionbonusbecamearecurringeventforPhoenix.Intime,thatcheckgrewlargerashemovedfromthirdtosecond,andthentonumberone.Helikedbeingnumberonesomuchthatheworkedhardtostaynumberonefortwoyears.Afteroneofhismostproductivemonths,hisbossaskedPhoenixifhecouldtrainsomeoftheothersintheofficeintheRichHabits.PhoenixapproachedJ.C.Jobswhoenthusiasticallyapprovedoftheidea.Thetrainingdecisionturnedouttobeawiseone.Inashortperiodoftime,thefirm’sprofitbegantogrowandgrowasoneproducerafteranotherincreasedtheirproductionnumbers.

Phoenixwasabletosendhissontocollegeandthengraduateschool.Hegainedcontroloverhisweight,spending,andsavings.Phoenixcontinuedtoclimbthecompanyladder,takingonmoreandmoreresponsibility,andconductingRichHabitstrainingforallnewhires.

Page 59: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

TheCommemorationofJ.C.Jobs

Thepewswerefilled,yetpeoplecontinuedtofillthechurch.Somestoodthreedeep.Whentherewasnomoreroominsidethechurch,thecrowdspilledoutontothechurchsteps.Themassofmournerswoundtheirwayalongthesidewalksinfrontofandacrossthechurch.Theentireblockwasfilledwithpeople.Thechurchbellsrangloudlybutcouldnotdrownoutthechatteringandsobsofthemourners.Analtarboyscurriedaboutoutsidewithsomewiresandspeakerssothatthoseoutsidethechurchcouldparticipateintheceremonyinside.

“Hesavedmylife,”oneoftheonlookerscouldbeheardsayingtoanotherabovethedinofthenoise.

“Minetoo,”anotherchimedin.Soonachorusof“Metoos”reverberatedoutsidethechurch.

Anoldmanrosefromhispewinthefrontofthealtarandslowlymadehiswaytothepodium.Headjustedhisglassesashepulledouthisnotes,tookadeepbreath,andlookedoutuponthecrowdormourners,thendownathisnotes.

“Three-and-one-half-millionpeopleandgrowingeveryday.ThatisthenumberofpeoplewhoselivesweretransformedbyJ.C.JobsandhisRichHabitsfollowers.Mostofthesepeoplehavedramaticallyimprovedtheirlives.BeforeJ.C.theyweredesperate,financiallydestitute,unhealthy,andemotionallybroken.J.C.showedthemthepathtosuccess.Theirlivesandthelivesoftheirfamilies,transformedforever.Nooneindividualinrecenttimeshashelpedsomanypeoplechangetheirlivessodramatically.IknowwhatIamtalkingabout.IwasJ.C.’sguineapig.Afailingclientwho,inpleadingdesperation,asked,“WhatamIdoingwrong?Forty-fiveyearsagoJ.C.Jobschangedmylifeforever.”Theoldmanlookedupfromhisnotestoviewthethrongofpeopleinsidethechurch.TheywereallJ.C.’sstudentsorformerstudents,heknew.“Eachoneofyouowesyoursuccessinlifetothisgreatman.”

Hewasnotreadingfromhisnotesnow.“Eachoneofyouwasfailinginlife.Nosavings,noretirementfunds,no

collegemoney,noassets,unhealthy,unhappy,andmiserableatyourlotinlife.Yourfinancialandemotionalsituationwasananchoraroundyourneck,draggingyouandyourfamilydown,untilyouwereintroducedtothisgiantofamanandhisRichHabits.Nowyoudrivenicecars,havebeautifulhomes,vacationhomes,retirementsavings,moremoneythanyouwillbeabletospendinyourlifetime.You’rehealthy,happy,andenthusiasticaboutlife.Thefutureof

Page 60: Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

inyourlifetime.You’rehealthy,happy,andenthusiasticaboutlife.Thefutureofyourchildrenandtheirchildrenissecure.Theywillneverknowofwant.Theywillneverknowofneed.Theywillneverhavetoask,‘WhatamIdoingwrong?’”

Theoldmanreacheddownforhisnotes,turned,madethesignofthecross,andwalkedfromthepodiumdirectlytothecasketthatcontainedthebodyofJ.C.Jobs.Heputbothhandsonthecasket,bentoverslightlyandkisseditgently.Thecrowdofpeoplespontaneouslyrosefromtheirpewsand,onebyone,lineduptokissthecasketofJ.C.Jobs.