In a world where money is not always shared, the mindset and perspectives of the wealthy can often feel extremely different. How they handle money matters and take risks has always interested me. Their thoughts on failure and success have been extremely insightful and helped me shift my thought processes.
Additionally, we contacted a few finance professionals to see what they had to say on the subject. Hopefully, the following will shed light on how those who have “made it” think and offer insight into how you can adopt a wealth mindset, too.
1. Future-Focused
Wealthy individuals often have a forward-thinking mindset, prioritizing long-term wealth over short-term gains. Focusing on the future is a cornerstone of their strategy to increase their net worth. They don’t dwell on their current financial situation, they’re planning and investing with an eye on future growth and possibilities.
2. Value Time Over Money
For the wealthiest, time is far more important than monetary wealth. Prioritizing time over money allows them to focus on things they value and want to spend their time on. It’s a mindset to maximize every moment to increase their quality of life.
3. Investment Mindset
The mindset of wealthy people revolves around seeing money as a tool to get what they want. They use compound interest to grow their wealth and ensure their financial assets work for them. Doing so solidifies their financial security and will only help their money grow over time.
4. Embrace Risk
If you want to grow your wealth, embracing calculated risks is vital. When you’re ready to embrace uncertainty, it opens up ways to increase your wealth that others may overlook.
Ryan Furlong, CFP, sheds some light on this point by explaining:
“I once worked with a successful entrepreneur who had taken a risk with various small start-ups. He put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears with no liquidity events to show for it. If you looked at his balance sheet, you’d assume he was a “failure” as he got into his 40s. His peers had blown by him financially yet he stayed strong.
The catch? Instead of being discouraged, he analyzed what went wrong and what he’d do differently and applied those lessons to the next venture.
The result? An eventual liquidity event that changed his life forever, putting him significantly ahead of his peers financially. This story underscores the common quote, “If you don’t learn from your mistakes, you’re bound to repeat them.” Wealthy individuals embrace their mistakes, using them as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks they focus on for years, enabling them to navigate the complexities of wealth creation and management more effectively.”
5. Prioritize Learning
Continuous learning is a high priority among the wealthy. They want to acquire new knowledge or hire brilliant minds to work for them. Doing so gives them the latest insights and expertise in various fields. As a result, they stay ahead of trends, ready to seize the next big opportunity.
Ryan Furlong puts it this way:
“Wealthy individuals often view the world through a lens of opportunity and learning, particularly when it comes to financial decisions and investments. A key trait that sets them apart is their approach to mistakes: they see them as valuable learning opportunities rather than setbacks.”
6. Grateful Attitude
A sense of gratitude for their wealth and every opportunity they get characterizes many of the world’s wealthiest people. Gratefulness often drives them to philanthropic efforts. They understand that success stems not just from personal efforts but also from the opportunities they have received.
7. Create Multiple Income Streams
Income diversification is a cornerstone in the financial strategies of the wealthiest individuals. It sets them apart from average earners and the middle class. Creating multiple income streams protects against market volatility, making it easier to manage this volatility and jump on new opportunities.
Chris Mankoff, CFP at JTL Wealth Partners, has this advice to offer regarding a wealthy mindset:
“Outside of the traditional investments such as equities and real estate or having a successful business, I would say invest in a team of professionals such as an accountant, Certified Financial Planner, and an estate planner that can work with you together as a team and guide you to make disciplined, smart decisions along the way. Proactive, tax-efficient planning and a consistent investment approach over a period of time can help increase your probability of success.”
8. Positive Mindset
Wealthy and successful individuals often have a positive outlook. They see potential where others might only see barriers. It boosts their capacity to continually see opportunities, even amidst economic downturns or personal setbacks.
9. Believe In Themselves
Self-belief strongly motivates the world’s most successful and wealthy individuals. Adopting a similar belief in your abilities and decisions can also be transformative for your situation. Believe that you can reach your goals and start working toward them.
10. Building a Network
Wealthy individuals prioritize building meaningful relationships and spending time on their network. As the famous saying goes, “Your network is your net worth.” Invest time in nurturing the connections you have and build up new relationships where you can. Every relationship is a valuable opportunity for growth and success.
11. Avoid Instant Gratification
If you’re trying to build wealth, avoiding instant gratification is the way. Bezos, Buffett, and other billionaires show this trait, displaying a strong preference for long-term rewards over short-term gains. Patience and consideration are pivotal in investing in stocks, building a business, and building wealth in general.
Angela Dorsey, a financial planner, tells us:
“Wealthy people understand the power of how interest can work for you as an investor (investing), but against you as a borrower (credit card and car loan debt). Wealthy people do not rely as much on “things” to make them feel successful. They are not focused on being consumers, but on being investors and living below their means.”
12. Working Smart, Not Just Hard
In the world of the wealthy, clarity wins over effort. Set clear goals and create paths to hit them, avoiding the trap of busy work. Stay the course by clearly defining what tasks are worth your time and which ones to pass on.
13. Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is critical to help you understand capital gains, tax returns, and effective tax rates. These skills are essential for multiplying wealth and separating those who are financially savvy from average earners.
14. Healthy Lifestyle
Powerful and health-conscious businesspeople know that significant wealth is worthless without sound health. Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg once stated that exercise is the key to success. They consider good health a crucial factor in sustained productivity and life expectancy.
15. Take Action
Wealthy individuals often adopt an action-oriented mindset. They understand that a proactive mentality is crucial to bring their ideas to life. For example, they try to avoid putting things off and make quick decisions instead of getting stuck on trivial problems.
16. Perceive Failure Differently
For the world’s wealthiest people, failure is not a problem but a learning opportunity. They build on these supposed mistakes by learning from them and adapting their strategies.
17. Adaptability
Adaptability is crucial to quickly respond to fluctuations in business landscapes, economic conditions, and evolving societal norms by adjusting their approach. Change is nothing more than an opportunity for growth. Their ability to change and embrace new strategies often sets them apart.
18. Seek Professional Advice
The role played by consultants and advisors in wealth management is indispensable, ensuring informed decision-making at every turn. For this reason, self-made moguls entrust teams of advisors and experts to oversee and grow their assets.
19. Generosity
Many billionaires are as renowned for their philanthropy as they are for their wealth. They use their fortunes to support charities they care about and give back to society. For example, Buffet has already given $169 billion to charity.
20. Living on Their Own Terms
While many must stick to routines and work to pay their bills, the wealthy may enjoy greater freedom. Wealth allows them to make choices that align with their desires, and they’re less bound to financial constraints. They can decide how to spend their time, like enjoying quality time with family or pursuing a new hobby.
21. See Opportunities, Not Obstacles
Wealthy people perceive challenges as opportunities, always searching for ways to turn a situation to their advantage. This perspective often gives them solutions and paths to success that others might overlook. The skill of recognizing potential opportunities in unexpected places contributes to their success.
22. Focus On Quality Value
Rich people care more about true value than the price tag, looking beyond what others see as merely costly. They prefer investing in quality because they know it brings better returns over time. For example, they may buy a probably in a prime location that others see as expensive. They understand that the true value is the location, and its chance to increase in value makes it worth the initial cost.
23. Strategic Thinking
Wealthy individuals think strategically, focusing on immediate benefits and long-term success. Their plans are often detailed and well-considered, setting a path that leads to sustainable wealth growth. Their knack for anticipating the next big thing enables them to recognize promising opportunities before reaching the mainstream.
24. Humility
A key perspective that sets many wealthy individuals apart is their deep sense of humility. They understand the value of staying grounded and appreciating the role of others in their success. They know that letting their wealth cloud their judgment can trip them up on their path to success. They make a point to treat others with respect, always ready to learn something new, knowing that nobody has all the answers.
25. Innovation and Creativity
Innovation and creativity can open you to new ideas that can improve your wealth-building process. The wealthy actively seek inventive solutions and creative strategies, staying ahead of conventional thinking. Their willingness to embrace change and creatively think of solutions to stay ahead of the curve sets them apart.