7 Things Rich People Do
And so can you...
While returning from a week in the Outer Banks, I caught a clip from the Steve Harvey show. To be clear, I am not a fan of listening to talking on the radio. I want to hear music, not someone talking. Nonetheless, I caught the title and decided to listen further.
Eventhough the title refers to the things rich people do, the point is to share these items because ANYONE can do them…and doing these 7 things on a consistent basis will have lasting benefits, and those benefits may include financial wealth. It’s important to highlight that FINANCIAL wealth was originally assumed by me (and could very well be the intention), but we all know that you can be rich in all facets of life.
1. Exercise
The joke was that broke people cannot afford to exercise, but everyone should find a way to relieve stress, be active, and exercise. Whether you hit up the gym consistently, take a walk during lunch time, or play basketball on the weekends—strive to add some activity to your week/lifestyle.
Many people find exercise to be relaxing—if only because you work out all of your energy. Depending on the type of exercise, it also provides an opportunity to alone with yourself, thus creating the opportunity for self-talk and reflection. You could strategize problems that occurred or just clear your mind.
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
2. Build relationships
Be careful who you build relationships with, because while on your journey, some may attach themselves to you for the sake of the ride. Find people who are like-minded, or at least are striving to be great, and build solid relationships with them. Listen to their ideas and support where you can.
“You do not need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of” ― Itzik Amiel
3. Visualize your goals
Dream boards, vision boards, journaling, whatever! Write out your goals, write out your plans, track your progress, complete a vision board from pictures and words that stick out to you.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV)
2 Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
There is power is seeing your goals written out, or posted on a vision board. It helps to refocus your attention and efforts.
4. Read a lot
“Reading is like thinking, like praying, like talking to a friend, like expressing your ideas, like listening to other people's ideas, like listening to music, like looking at the view, like taking a walk on the beach.”
― Roberto Bolaño
Being a writer of primarily fiction, I believe in the power of reading fiction. For me, it allows me to retreat into my own world; escape the harsh realities of what is going on in the now….so I am an advocate of reading fiction. Nonetheless, there is lots to learned from non-fiction texts, self-help books, newspaper articles, blogs, and magazine articles. Pick up something and get to reading.
5. Repeat positive affirmations to themselves
“The biggest wall you have to climb is the one you build in your mind: Never let your mind talk you out of your dreams, trick you into giving up. Never let your mind become the greatest obstacle to success. To get your mind on the right track, the rest will follow.”
― Roy T. Bennett
Positive thinking will get you much farther than negative thinking will. The problem is that negative thinking creeps in and sometimes we say we’re just being “realistic, not pessimistic” (at least I am guilty of saying that). A quick search on Google unearthed a bunch of places to find affirmations. I've listed two here:
35 Affirmations that will change your life
101 Positive Affirmations to Practice Daily
Surely you will find more than a few that will circumvent negative thinking whenever it presents itself. Please take some time, pick 4-5 that you can memorize, or have posted in your house, car, phone…or even come up with your own.
6. Volunteer
There are a bunch of ways that you can give back. We might send money to charities, but there is something different about being active in a volunteer opportunity.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
If you’re a parent, try to volunteer at your child’s school. Your church would be another great place to start. Idealist.org is a site that hosts volunteer opportunities.
7. Maintain close relationships with a mentor
I have yet to find a business mentor, per se, while I think many of my friends fill that void from numerous fronts. It is beneficial to align yourself with someone who has already journeyed the path ahead of you. They are in a position to guide, support, and motivate you.
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” — John Crosby
Will you be implementing these 7 things? Do you think you will have issues with any of these? Thoughts?
