Editor
You’ve probably read a handful of “get rich now” type books. Nearly everyone has, and T. Harv Eker understands. Throughout his extremely popular text “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind”, Mr. Eker explains that he, himself, has read nearly every book and course that promises instant wealth.
As he’s quick to point out, it’s not the process that doesn’t work, it’s the mindset of the participant that prevents wealth from happening. That is to say, you can’t possibly become a millionaire if you don’t have a “Millionaire Mind.”
A Brief Biography of a Future Millionaire
T. Harv Eker is different from many millionaires, in that he had a very standard middle-class upbringing. As he outlines in his book, his father was a builder, and his family went through periods of feast and famine throughout Mr. Eker’s childhood.
As a result, he started working early, filling many minimum-wage roles as he grew to adulthood, constantly dreaming of a day when he would finally be financially independent.
The turning point in his life was when his father’s millionaire poker buddy shared with a young Mr. Eker that:
“if you’re not doing as well as you’d like, all that means is there’s something you don’t know”.
While that statement didn’t necessarily seem clear at the time of its delivery, it made a huge impression, and started a chain of thought that helped him discover how the millionaire mind is programmed to understand, appreciate, and accumulate money.
In his early twenties, Mr. Eker had opened a retail fitness store chain. This business took off quickly, and it seemed things were on the right track when he sold part of the company to a Fortune 500 corporation.
However, soon the money was gone, and it was as if his millionaire status was but a dream. And that’s where Mr. Eker realized that it wasn’t just about focusing on gaining wealth; in fact, being a successful millionaire required reprogramming the entire way he thought about money and wealth.
You can purchase a copy of the book on this page.
The “Inner-Money Thermostat”
As Mr. Eker states early in the book, having a good business plan, an educated perspective on wealth and business, and a nose for investment are all helpful tools.
But, he notes, having the best tools is only helpful if they’re operated by the best carpenter. In this analogy, he urges each of us to consider not only what we know about wealth, but what we understand about wealth.
It turns out that much of what we think we know about money and wealth is learned throughout our life, by experiences that touch us directly. This is the formation of our “inner thermostat” when it comes to money.
It’s certainly easy to see that cultural teachings, personal experiences, and family values will shape our views on money and spending. Pause and imagine one of the strongest beliefs you have about money. Then recall where you first heard that belief stated. It was likely a parent or close family member.
While we can learn all sorts of facts and figures, and take courses in accounting, banking, marketing, and more, we are only adding to our logical knowledge about money. As Mr. Eker points out, when the subconscious mind has to choose between logic and emotions, it will choose emotions, and this is why many people are unable to be millionaires.
Money Does Not Equal Happiness
One of the most important lessons Mr. Eker shares is that no amount of money can make you feel “good enough” if you associate your self-worth with money.
That is, many people pursue a life of wealth because they want to escape some of the assumptions others have made about them. If you grew up with others calling you “lazy”, “poor”, “stupid”, or “least likely to succeed”, it’s very easy to see why you might want to earn that millionaire crown to prove your worth. Only, as Mr. Eker points out, having the money is not going to make you feel worthy.
Instead, make wealth a declaration, a lifestyle, and a result. Mr. Eker suggests creating a declaration, or a formal, official intention, of living a life of wealth. He encourages us each to repeat our declaration several times a day. After all, he notes, if you’re poor or rich, what can it hurt to repeat a declaration?
Next, make “being rich” your lifestyle choice.
“If your goal is to be comfortable, chances are you’ll never get rich. But if your goal is to be rich, chances are you’ll end up mighty comfortable”
His formula is quite simple: thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to actions, and actions lead to results. When wealth is a result, the recipient of this windfall can’t help but pause and reflect on all the energy and actions that went into creating this result.
“If you are not fully, totally, and truly committed to creating wealth, chances are you won’t”
Mr. Eker states.
You can purchase a copy of the book on this page.
How money works?
But how does one change a lifetime of understanding of how money works to incorporate this new declaration, lifestyle, and potential result? Mr. Eker notes that it is not easy to work against the conception of wealth that has been programmed into our minds since birth.
He shares many examples throughout the book, all of which demonstrate how a negative perspective on money can challenge any wealth an individual accumulates throughout their life.
Instead, he challenges readers to completely change their own minds to that of a millionaire. He outlines the following steps:
- Awareness: learn what your thoughts, beliefs, and opinions about money might be. Write them down.
- Understanding: where did these thoughts, beliefs, and opinions come from? What are some examples of their impact on your life?
- Disassociation: let go of these thoughts. Separate yourself from everything you assumed was true.
- Reconditioning: review your declaration. Each time your prior feelings start to emerge, stop yourself, and consider what alternate thought would better fit your model for success.
Why should you read The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind?
In his bestseller book, “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind”, T. Harv Eker provides a great deal of guidance, complete with examples, on how our mindset can prevent us from obtaining and enjoying the wealth of our dreams.
Naturally, his text is much more robust than this simple synopsis, providing a deep dive into how sometimes, our intelligent, thoughtful, educated brains can prevent us from the one thing we most desire.
For those who feel that something is holding you back from the millionaire life, consider Mr. Eker’s explanation on how to reset your brain to become a Millionaire Mind.
SECRETS OF A MILLIONAIRE MIND
HarperCollins; October 2009
ISBN: 9780061793660
Read online, or download in secure PDF or secure ePub format
Author: T. Harv Eker
