7 Tips to Becoming a Millionaire

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7 Tips to Becoming a Millionaire

Becoming a millionaire is easier than it's ever been. 

Many people have been writing me with the notion that it's an impossible task. They say, "It's
pure luck. You have to be born into a rich family. You'll have to win the Lotto. Your parents
have to help you out a lot."

A single mother with five children wrote the following, "Daniel, I read your article and I believe
in what you're saying. However, I'm 50 years old and work long hours at two dead-end jobs. It's
Christmas time and I barely have enough money to buy gifts for my children. What should I do?"

Another man wrote, "Well, if you work for the government or a non-profit, you cannot expect to
become a millionaire. After all, you're on a fixed salary and there’s little time for anything else.
By the time you get home, you've got to play with the kids and entertain yourself."

These queries got me thinking of the true possibilities of wealth all over the world, particularly in
America. I've seen people come to America who speak little to no English, have no connections,
no money, or formal education, but have still been able to create fortunes for themselves and
others. 

The truth is that all of us can become as wealthy as we decide to be. None of us is excluded from
wealth. If you have the desire to receive money, whatever the amount, you have all of the rights
to do so. There's no limit to how much you can earn for yourself.

Money is like the sun. It does not discriminate. It doesn't say, "I will not give light and warmth to
this flower, tree, or person because I don't like them." Like the sun, money is abundantly
available to all of us who truly believe that it is for us. No one is excluded.

Related: 10 Major Differences Between Rich and Poor People

Here are 7 tips to becoming a millionaire: 

1. Change Your Thinking

You have to see the bigger picture. When most people see just trees, you need to look at the
entire forest. This way, you'll be able to chart your own course and get to where you want to be.
By having a vision and the goals to attain that vision, your possibilities are endless.
You'll have to go through plenty of self-discovery before you earn your first million. Knowing
the truth about yourself isn't always the easiest task. Sometimes, you'll find that you're your
biggest enemy and best friend -- even in the same day! Nonetheless, changing your thinking is a
requirement for wealth.

2. Save Relentlessly
This will address the queries that I've recently received. For many individuals, there's too much
month at the end of the money. However, you'll have to make your best effort to save as much as
you can, even if it's a ridiculously low number. 

There are many techniques for saving money. You need to find your own system and start
building your wealth. Even if you're on a fixed income, you need to find the discipline necessary
to save. Whether you start out with saving $50 or $500 per month, do the best you can and invest
this money in the best way possible.

3. Learn from Millionaires

Most people are surrounded by what I like to call "Default Friends." These friends are
acquaintances that we see at the grocery store, gym, school, work, and other places. We naturally
befriend these people as trust grows. However, in most cases, these people aren't millionaires and
cannot help you become one either. 

If you truly desire and aspire to be a millionaire, these people may tell you that it's impossible.
They'll tell you that you're living in a fantasy world and why you'll never be able to make it
happen. Instead, learn from millionaires. Let go of these relationships and seek new ones that can
help you get to the next level.

Related: 10 Phrases Every Millionaire Avoids

4. Indulge in Wealth
To become wealthy, you must first learn about wealth. This means that you'll have to put
yourself in situations that you've never been before. For instance, you can test drive a new car,
get a realtor to show you an expensive home, or get a brownie from the finest bakery in town.

Most of this will not break your bank. In fact, some of it is free. You'll have to go where 97
percent of people aren't willing to go if you want to make your financial dreams happen. Are
there luxury golf courses, spas, or museums in your area that will allow you to indulge in
wealth? If so, take advantage.
5. Believe It's Possible
If you believe that it's possible to become a millionaire, you can make it happen. However, if
you've excluded yourself from this possibility and think that it's for other people, you'll never
have money. Also, be sure to bless rich people when you can. Haters of money aren’t likely to
receiving any of it either.

The best way to do this is to learn relentlessly about yourself and money. You can do this by
reading books that have been written by millionaires themselves. By gaining a well-rounded
education and staying inspired, you'll be able to get the wealth you've been looking for. 

6. Enlarge Your Service

Your material wealth is the sum of your total contribution to society. If you know my famous
question, "How do I deliver more value to more people in less time?" then you'll know that you
can always increase your quality and quantity of service. People are waiting to be served.

Enlarging your service is also about "going the extra mile." When it comes to helping others, you
must give it everything you have. Don't think about if the people you serve will appreciate it or
not. You just plant the seeds and nature will take care of the rest. 

7. Seize ALL Opportunities

In every neighborhood, no matter where you are, there are always opportunities to do good. Your
community desperately needs your help. If you would only open your mind and heart to these
opportunities, you'll find that they will be ready to reward you in due time.

Furthermore, you cannot say "no" to opportunities and expect to become a millionaire. You must
seize every opportunity that has your name on it. Sometimes the monetary reward will not come
immediately, but if you keep planting seeds, eventually you'll grow your fruitful crop.

Money is the harvest of your production. Everything that you have is in direct proportion to your
actions. If you've done everything that you can do and have a purpose leading your life, you can
expect to become wealthy. You must desire wealth and eventually the money will come when
you are ready for it. 

The more seeds (service) you plant, the more plants (money) you'll have.

7 Truths Every Millionaire Knows About

Business
When I walk into a store, I always tell the salespeople, "Sell me something."
Especially when I love the store. At Samsonite, the luggage retailer, I expected superior service.
My needs were basic. For my international flight to Austria, I needed a garment bag that I could
carry onto the airplane.

The saleswoman was too busy talking with her girlfriend. She paid little attention to my needs,
even when I told her to "Sell me something." When I found the garment bag by myself, I asked
her about the dimensions to see if it would fit on the airplane as 'carry-on' luggage. Of course, I
would never buy a carry-on bag that I couldn't 'carry-on' the airplane.

I needed to know the length, width, and height of the garment bag. That's all.

My saleswoman affirmed that the garment bag was ideal for a carry-on. She told me that she's
been working there for 10 years and all of her customers loved the bag, especially as a carry-on. I
fully believed her. After all, she's been with the company for 10 years. 

Delighted, I bought the bag for a great price. As I walked down the mall, I went to another
luggage store and listened to a woman give me an excellent sales pitch on her luggage. She
complimented my current bag, but assured me that it wouldn't fit as a carry-on. Dumbfounded, I
checked the facts online.

She was right!

On Amazon.com, it confirmed that my bag was too big. I went back to Samsonite and asked for
a refund. The saleswoman argued with me and reluctantly gave my money back. Her girlfriend
was grinning from a distance as she rocked back and forth in her seat with the attitude of an
impatient chimpanzee at the zoo. 

"Ma'am, do you have a tape measure?" I asked. She ought to check the size, I thought. "I don't
carry that on me," she said. After 10 years of working with luggage, I thought she would. Neither
did she have a pen when I had to sign the receipt to return the merchandise. Nonetheless, she still
scoffed at me as I walked out of her store. Her girlfriend did laugh too.

Related: The 12 Skills Every Millionaire Must Have

I believe this way of doing business is unacceptable. 

From that experience, I'm honored to share with you seven truths every millionaire knows about
business:

1. Know Your Numbers

Every season, I buy suits. I know my size in every conceivable way (including European sizes).
When I ask the salesman to "Sell me something," he better measure me and tell me exactly what
size I am. If he comes out with something that is three sizes too big, I'm leaving immediately.
Surprisingly, a vast number of business people don't know their facts and figures. You must
know your prices and dimensions of everything you offer. If you're branding yourself as an
expert, you better have superior knowledge about your industry. It's easy to learn about
everything that you offer. When information is present, feast on it, even when no one else is
making proper use of it.

2. Know Your Tools

I bought three dress shoes yesterday from a remarkable salesman. He offered me a "shoe-
horn," which is an excellent tool to help you slip on your shoes. At fine restaurants, I receive
immeasurable joy when the host "checks" my coat in the closet. I am also astonished when the
server uses a "crumb-catcher" when I finish the courses before my main entree. 

Many of us have the right tools available for our business. However, we need to learn how to use
them with excellence. You don't have to know everything about your tool and its history; you
just have to know how to use it. When you dazzle your clients with the tools which you've
mastered, they will applaud you to the bank. Trust me, I'm a master of the microphone. 

3. Know Your Time

My personal trainer is stupendous when it comes to his time-management skills. Every time we
train, he's always done exactly at 60 minutes, with precision. I'm often amazed at how he does it,
especially since he keeps me so busy that I don't have the time to check the clock myself!

Those who know their time will be able to control their schedules. If you're always running late
on the services that you offer, you don't have the right to increase your business. Conversely,
those who master the clock will have the power to master serving all of their clients with the
utmost diligence. 

4. Know Your Energy

As I prepared to eat my mouth-watering lobster, a clumsy server started to "sell me" on why he
was the best server in the restaurant (he wanted me to come back to him on my next visit). As he
continued his speech, while catching his breath, he told me why the other servers were slow and
why he made the most money on his shift.

Verily, this man was deceiving himself in unprecedented ways. He thought that running back and
forth kept him busy and earned him more money. However, the exact opposite was true. Despite
being young, he ran out of steam each night because of his misdirected energy. This made him
serve in a sloppy manner. Working harder will never beat working smarter. 

Related: 5 Levels of Intensifying Your Dreams in Business

5. Know Your Personnel

I personally have an army of aides who help me do my work successfully. My editor, Maureen,
is top-notch at what she does. If I handed her this article, which I did, she would flip it to me
error-free within 24 hours. My lawyer, Chris, will get me an answer within a few hours if I ever
needed his help. It only takes a few clicks or dials to know everything in the world.

Knowing your personnel can help you to create an impeccable business. If you have the right
people aligned with your business model, you will be unstoppable. Every area in your business
demands expertise and you must put the best people in place. Always pay your people top dollar
if you can, lest they leave you unexpectedly 

6. Know Your Money

Most "professionals" don't know what's in their bank accounts. They know within the hundreds
of dollars, but not pennies. Everyone in our society gets charged with fees that they never even
realize. As they go along with their lives, they're getting ridiculous fees from products and
services that they rarely, if ever, utilize. 

When you know your money, you'll grow your money. You should know exactly how much you
earn, spend, and save. You must always seek to have a surplus at the end of every month. If you
do, your profits will increase by incalculable measures. Knowing your financial affairs is the
surest ways to become wealthy.

7. Know Your Customer

I saved the best for last. Your real boss is your customer. They pay you. In fact, all the money
that you will ever receive will come from other people, so you better take care of them. Ensuring
that your customer is satisfied should be your highest priority. 

You'll also want to go the extra mile when you can. Use people's names, over-deliver on your
promises, understand their deepest, long-term needs. These are the simple elements that must be
acknowledged if you want to succeed in business. No matter what industry you're in, knowing
your customer is the best and most effective way to increase your business. Ask your customer.

6 min read

7 Mental Shifts That Allowed Me to Become

a Millionaire at 22
As of this writing, I’m 22. In the last 12 months I’ve generated a million dollars in commissions
in one of the most competitive industries on the planet, where my average competitor is at least
double my age with 10 times the tenure in the business. I have a master’s degree from a
prestigious university, which I received when I was 20 after fast-tracking four years of school.
I’ve traveled to more than 50 countries, completed 13 triathlons and have an extremely happy,
stimulating life.

Things are very good -- but the future wasn’t always so bright.

When I finished graduate school, I moved to California's Orange County to launch a new office
for my family’s commercial real-estate business. The first couple of months were brutal, and I
quickly came to the conclusion that the success we’d have (if any) would be astronomically more
difficult than I could ever have imagined. Despite being an overachiever all my life, I found
myself wondering how to truly excel in the real world when it all finally mattered.

Related: 5 Ways Personal Growth Makes Your Business Stronger

After reinventing the wheel for myself time and time again I’ve come to realize that the secret to
millennial success in the business world is a combination of grit and creative thinking. Here are
the seven mental shifts I implemented to turbo-charge my growth.

1. Age is just a number.

Embrace your youth wholeheartedly. If you spin your age as an asset, which can be done in a
variety of ways, it can be an extremely powerful differentiator. The moment you begin to give
yourself an excuse for not being successful is the moment of almost certain failure.

If you believe you can really make it then you will make it. Besides, there is nothing people want
to see more than a hard-working, intelligent and dedicated young professional who succeeds.
Create a snowball of momentum that makes people want to be a part of your life.

2. Reinvest in yourself.
The safest investment I’ve ever made is in my future. Read at least 30 minutes a day, listen to
relevant podcasts while driving and seek out mentors vigorously. You don’t just need to be a
master in your field, you need to be a well-rounded genius capable of talking about any subject
whether it is financial, political or sports related. Consume knowledge like air and put your
pursuit of learning above all else.

I also believe that it is critically important to spoil yourself to a healthy extreme in order to
reward your hard work and avoid burnout. Consider splurging on memorable experiences and
luxuries that will enhance your lifestyle. I get a weekly massage like clockwork, and it is one of
the best productivity hacks I employ.

3. Avoid decision fatigue.

Attention is a finite daily resource and can be a bottleneck on productivity. No matter the mental
stamina developed over time, there is always going to be a threshold where you break down and
your remaining efforts for the day become suboptimal.
Conserve your mental power by making easily reversible decisions as quickly as possible and
aggressively planning recurring actions so you can execute simple tasks on autopilot. I know
what I am wearing to work and eating for breakfast each day next week. Do you?

Related: 7 Surprising Lessons About Success Learned From Interviewing More Than 65
Millionaires

4. Build a resilient mind.

The biggest differentiator between mediocrity and meteoric success is the ability to work
productively for hours at a time. These long stretches are when important work is almost
exclusively completed. Focus is paramount and, without intentionally developing mental
stamina, you won’t be able to effectively compete with those who have systematically built up
their endurance over decades in the business world.

Fast track your skills by being mindful of distractions and recognizing when you begin to wander
out of focus. Perform a thorough analysis of your daily activities each night and aggressively
seek opportunities for improvement.

5. Think big. Be big.

The science behind goal setting and its remarkable ability to accelerate success is infallible. If
you don’t already have your one-, five- and 10-year goals written out and visible to you on a
daily basis, do so right now. I read mine the second I wake up every single morning. Now ask
yourself, what would have to happen to accomplish your 10-year goals in just one year?

The inherent power in maintaining consistency with your acknowledged goals can work both
positively and negatively, and is cause for concern if you anchor yourself to a slower timeline of
achievement. Be mindful and diligent in charting an optimal path that pushes you to your limit.

6. Be methodical.
Plan your work and then work your plan. Perhaps my biggest breakthrough was large-scale
automation of my marketing systems. I created a process that allowed me to quintuple my
marketing output while increasing my conversion rate considerably.

The simplest way to put your own content plan in motion is to create a multi-step campaign that
touches a prospect through a variety of different mediums every week for at least a month.
Follow a logical order and craft your content in a persistent way, while never becoming
annoying.

Not in a sales role? You can take a similar approach to any analytical, creative or administrative
position by developing rigid organizational systems that help improve your efficiency when
faced with repetitive tasks.
7. Believe in yourself.
If not you, then who? Someone has to make it, and nothing is stopping you from being the
person who accomplishes your wildest dreams. Nearly every person who has ever failed has had
an excuse. Successful people have stories of the challenges that they overcame with creative
solutions. The moment you confidently feel that there is nothing you can’t learn or develop to
solve the most complex of problems is the moment of guaranteed greatness.

If you still aren’t sure how to begin, start with a promise to work towards the achievement of
consistent excellence each moment of every day. This is the basic building block and mentality
with which I am building my career.

Keep it simple and remember that success is not an entitlement. If you really want to excel, you
have to get out there and earn it every day for the rest of your life.

8 Tough-Minded Traits That Assure Success

Tough-minded people have grit at their core. They are persistent and resilient in the face of
failure, loss, success and challenge. They are committed. Whatever they pursue gets their full
attention and nothing less. No amount of hard work is too much to capitalize on a worthwhile
opportunity. Because of their commitment they feel no temptation to slack. They stay focused,
determined and 100 percent resolute in the pursuit of their goals.

To consistently do what you need to do to succeed requires a laser focus and unshakable
commitment that is difficult for most. The tough minded are born with the fortitude
and temperament to get back up and keep going through all failure or adversity. That is a
trait you will need to adopt to become a more successful you.  

1. History is your best teacher.

The past is your valuable teacher. It allows you to learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of
others as you go through change and challenges of business. Once you see the lesson, don’t
harbor the pain and embarrassment. Make the necessary changes, then let go. Holding onto your
mistakes makes you a victim. Each time something bad has happened to you, take the
perspective that it was a perfect opportunity for you to learn to something valuable you didn’t
know before. When another makes a mistake, see it as an opportunity to forgive, to make note
not to do the same thing, and to be understanding.

The past doesn’t define you, it trains you. It gives you an opportunity not to dwell on what went
wrong, but to make sure you and those around you get things exactly right moving forward.

Related: Former Apple CEO John Sculley: You Learn From Your Mistakes, Not Your
Successes
2. Success is within your control.
To be successful you must see success as being totally under your control. Luck has very little to
do with success or failure. Luck is something you create through persistence, a positive attitude
and networking for opportunities. Luck is the gift of never giving up. Like the Cowardly Lion
said from the Wizard of OZ “if you stay on the merry-go-round long enough you’re bound to
catch the brass ring.”

Tough-minded successes do not think about luck. The tough minded know if they succeed they
caused it and if they fail, they caused it. Resilience and taking ownership of failures and
successes are much more useful for success then worrying about when or if luck will strike.

Work hard, stay committed to your dream and all things will fall into place.

3. Prioritize well.
Mental toughness does not come in an unlimited supply. You have to prioritize your energy to
those things within your control. In business not every detail is going to be under your
influence. Let go of what you cannot control by prioritizing the aspects of your business you can
push, promote and monetize.

Smart business people work smart, not just hard, by knowing what is under their power and
influence and what needs to be dismissed from useless worry, concern or attention.

Related: The Secret to Prioritizing Your Time

4. Support the success of others.

The tough minded do not entertain thoughts of lack. The insecure believe there is only so much
success to go around, so when someone else takes the stage they believe it diminishes their
efforts. You must learn to support the success of others and spend the majority of your time
around those who are as successful, if not more successful. than yourself.

The tough minded are aware the influence and inspiration of the successful people they spend
their time with can only increase their success.

5. Speak the language of success.

The tough minded make no time for “poor me” complaining, whining or martyrdom about how
things are so bad in their lives. Words have power. Language is life. What you speak about is
what you live. Complaining has never proven to make people feel better or become more
successful.

If there is a failure, the tough minded focus on solutions instead of blaming or complaining.
Related: 15 Body Language Secrets of Successful People

6. They compete with themselves.

The tough minded are not out to compete with others, what others have, their job titles or
accomplishments. There is no need to one-up another person. The tough minded are goal-
oriented and only compete with themselves and the goals they set. Each goal achieved is a
competition won.

To compete with others breeds low-level emotions such an envy or resentment. If you waste time
in these traps of comparison you weaken you state of mind and perception of yourself.  To
become a tough minded success you must compete only with yourself and the goals you set.
Constantly strive to be at your best.

7. Revisit benchmarks.
The tough minded always review their long-term business and life goals. Reviewing benchmarks
reminds them of why they are doing what they are doing and working so hard to do it. As you
are succeeding, mental fatigue or burnout can set in. The key is to review tangible reminders of
what your longer term goals are to keep you motivated and on course. The tough minded know
these reminders can push them though exhausting and seemingly fruitless times in life and
business.

 Benchmarks act as guideposts along your path.

8. Grateful.
The tough minded take nothing for granted. They know that being intelligent, motivated, healthy
and successful is are gifts. They work hard each day but take time to count their blessings. It is
easy to get side tracked on what you don’t have or how far away you are from reaching a goal,
but the tough minded do not get emotionally highjacked into this type of negativity.

Train yourself to focus on what you have, how far you have come and all you have gained. It is
this type of thinking that will keep you inspired to succeed.

To become a tough minded success you must delay gratification and put your responsibilities
first. Trust that success will taste much better than momentary times of laziness and
procrastination. You must believe that all the hard work is worth it. Become adept at overcoming
your fears to get done what needs to get done. Strive to be 100 percent committed and
determined. Refuse to lose. Most importantly, focus on the good in your life by becoming
solution oriented. No matter what, learn from your mistakes and rise higher after each fall.

Never let a failure defeat you. Let all failures inspire you.
The 10 Strangest Secrets About Millionaires

Image credit: Shutterstock

Daniel Ally

Contributor

Self-Made Millionaire & Business Expert

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February 9, 2016

Join us in a city near you at Entrepreneur’s Accelerate Your Business event series kicking off
Feb 23. View cities and dates »

When I was 21 years old, I believed in an idea that would change the world.

It was an idea that seemed too far-fetched, but still seemed possible if I was willing to work
steadily toward it. This particular idea was simply about the teachings that were omitted from our
educational system. 

After reading as many books as I could find, I learned quickly that there were many subjects that
schools didn't teach. They included the following subjects: time-management, earning money,
making decisions, setting goals, building and maintaining relationships, etc.

Because I devoted myself to this simple idea, it made me a millionaire by age 24. In my personal
life, I've found that there were 10 strange secrets about millionaires. Once you see these common
trends, you'll be able to leverage all your current opportunities.

Become a Student

In every spare moment I had, I studied these subjects voraciously, seeking precepts that aligned
with the truth. When I commuted to work, gym, and school, I would listen to audio programs,
absorbing as many ideas as I could about these subjects. I also attended 20 seminars in my first
year.

My mind started to change as I looked at myself and those around me. I realized that I wasn't
satisfied with my position, but how would I change it? Even though I was in college, I wasn't
sure if school was the answer, especially since I wanted to start my own business. 

Decide to Do Something 

I had to make a decision. Soon after, I quit my MBA program and began giving hundreds of free
speeches. I did whatever I could to get the word out. In my first two years, I spoke at more
than 500 live events, most of which were unpaid engagements.

Even as I worked 18 hour days for 7 days a week, I was sick to my stomach about how I would
be paid. At the time, I lived off of credit cards and peddled my book in speeches. In some
instances, I sold my book door-to-door. I also became a master salesman when I sold everything
in my house!

Related: The Only 5 Ways You Can Become Rich

Do Whatever it Takes
I thought success was for older people. Since I was in my early 20's, I wasn't sure if it could
happen. The majority of audience members were twice or three-times my age. I thought they
knew much more than me, but I still showed up. Most of the time, I drove over two or
three hours to get to my speeches, even dealing with snow or torrential rainfalls. 

One time when I visited New York City, I gave a speech to one old man. When I came out of the
speech, I found out that my car had been towed, which cost me $300. What's more, I was deeply
saddened to find a $500 parking infraction on my wiper blade for making in an illegal spot.
Essentially, I waited all day and paid $800 to give a speech to this one old man. 

Paying the Price

Between my speeches, I would sweat in my used wool suit and tie as I knocked on doors to sell
my book. The people at most homes would shut the door as I pitched my product, if they
answered at all. I would sell five to 10 books per hour, but it was brutal. At the time, I thought
the task was never-ending, despite the decent profit. 

Another time, I had to give five speeches on four different subjects. That day, I was awake from
4 am to 6 am -- a 26 hour day. I had no money or food, but I had common sense. Since
most hotels served hors d'oeuvre while they held their networking functions, I ate their
"freebies" whenever I could find those meetings. 

Competence Breeds Confidence

Within a year, I went from stuttering, stammering, and stumbling with my words to giving a 20-
minute speech without notes. As my competence grew after every speech, so did my confidence.
In my second year, I was able to masterfully give all-day seminars to hundreds of people at a
time.

Soon enough, my financial situation got better and I didn't have to use credit cards
anymore. However, I would still be late with my bills every once in a while, which drove me
insane. How did I work all day, but not make ends meet? Why didn't I have a surplus for my
services?

How to Increase Your Wealth

Because of this immense struggle to support myself, I began a side business, Dignify Designs,
which took off faster than I would have expected. The idea came when I did a lady's resume for
free. After she secured her job, she only paid me $25, but told all of her friends about me, which
brought me new clients. 

As my company grew, I hired a dozen people in my first year. Between speaking and writing,

we helped many people write and publish their books, create websites, and utilize social media.
Since forming the company, my team has branded thousands of people who’ve been able to start
and grow their businesses.
Related: The 10 Laws Every Millionaire Must Follow

The Legitimate Dilemma

During that time, I had a legitimate dilemma: Should I grow Dignify Designs to a multi-million-
dollar business or should I pursue my purpose of spreading the message about true education? 

The answer was BOTH. As I funded myself with Dignify Designs, my income exploded, making
me a multi-millionaire in the process. Of course, as a byproduct of my success in business and
my experiences, I was also highly sought out as a speaker, since people loved my speeches,
articles, and videos. 

Big Breaks Will Come

Along the way, several big breaks came when I started writing, speaking, and consulting
on bigger platforms. Instead of reaching hundreds or thousands each month, I was now reaching
millions. It was a dream come true, especially after all the blood, sweat, and tears.

Eventually, the grind paid off as a multitude of people started coming to me. It was a great relief
and I began to realize my value to society. Because of these expanded opportunities, it has given
me to priviledge, power, and platform to share my passion with as many people as I can.

Money Follows Passion

I learned that when you do what you love, the money will follow. When you start reaching for
people's hearts, rather than their wallets, you'll be more successful. Love has a very attractive
force that magnetizes people in your direction. Love and money go together. In fact, money is
the highest expression of love. 

Fortunately, I have the privilege to work at any time I want. I can afford to sleep in on most days
and even take a year or two off. However, it came at a great price that only few people are
willing to pay. When you do what you love and love what you do, you'll have more freedom than
what money can buy.

My Biggest Secret

No one knows what is yet to come in the future. We can only go as far as we can see.
However, you must have faith in yourself, your community, and everyone else. You must believe
in yourself and know that everything that you want (and more) will happen in your favor, as long
as you believe it. 

How do you find the answers in life? I can tell you what my biggest secret is: Trust in a power
that is greater than yourself. It's a simple answer, but it is the truth. Once you do, you'll never be
afraid of pursuing the impossible because you know that everything will work out in the end. 

If you believe in yourself, everyone will believe in you.

7 Life Hacks From Rebel Billionaires
August 17, 2015

With just shy of 2,000 billionaires on earth, the odds of joining that rarefied club is about one in
4 million. To put that in perspective, you are 24 times more likely to be killed by lightning than
you are to become a billionaire.

If you hope to be a billionaire, despite the odds, it stands to reason that taking a radically
different approach to life could shift things in your favor. Who better to show us how to rebel
against an average life than rebel billionaires themselves? Here are seven life hacks from this
rare group:

1. Work hard, play harder.

Sir Richard Branson is the perfect example of prospering fantastically while truly enjoying life.
While Branson certainly works hard, he is much better known for playing hard. From hot-air-
balloon trips around the world to bungee jumping off buildings, Branson understands the value
of living life to its fullest.

Lesson: Working hard is fine, but always take time away from work to have fun and recharge.

Related: 4 Habits of Millionaires That Work for Everyone

2. Follow your passions.

When it comes to building a business around something you love, I can’t think of a better
example than Nick Woodman, the founder of GoPro. Woodman’s adrenaline-fueled action-
camera company was built on the backs (and helmets) of extreme athletes and adventure seekers
around the world, and helps them to showcase and share their passions with the more risk-averse
among us.

Lesson: If you love doing something, and others share your passion, you can make money doing
it.

3. Hedge your bets.

One of the smartest financial moves made around the time of the dot-com bust was by Mark
Cuban. Cuban’s company, Broadcast.com, was acquired by Yahoo in 1999 for $5.7 billion in
Yahoo stock. Not too long after that, Cuban, believing a crash was likely but unable to sell his
stock due to lockup agreements, made the call to short an index fund that had a sizable stake in
Yahoo to help balance out his overexposure. It cost him $20 million do this, but prevented him
from losing an even larger amount.
Lesson: Take smart risks, but always look for ways to mitigate the risk and to avoid
overexposure.

4. Be a connector.
When it comes to success, one of the most critical components really is who you know. Mark
Zuckerberg is a billionaire many, many times over because of his efforts to connect people. He
grasped early on the power of connections, and set out on a mission to bring everyone on Earth
closer together. Considering roughly two out of three people with Internet access are now on
Facebook, he has done an incredible job.

Lesson: Be the hub at the center of your network, and connect people together as often as you
can.

Related: 5 Philosophies That Will Help You on Your Path to Success

5. Rock the boat.

While I don’t agree with everything Travis Kalanick, Uber’s CEO, has done, I absolutely agree
with his unrelenting crusade to displace the status quo. Kalanick entered a stale industry known
for a terrible user experience, and has kicked and battered his way through mountains of
bureaucracy and legal red tape to make the on-demand transportation industry much more
pleasant for consumers.

Lesson: Question everything, rock the boat and fight for change if you believe things should
change.

6. Be yourself.
After listening to Chris Sacca of LOWERCASE capital on a recent Tim Ferriss podcast, I think
he’s an incredible example of someone who is unapologetically himself. He has strong opinions,
wears crazy shirts and makes decisions based off his own system of values. He doesn’t invest if
he doesn’t believe he’ll add value, and he only invests in companies that he can be proud of.

Lesson: Decide who you want to be, and be that person, regardless of what others think or say.

7. Leave things better than you found them.

Nobody on the planet today embodies this philosophy better than Elon Musk. From SpaceX and
Tesla to Solar City and beyond, Musk has dedicated his fortune and his life to making the world,
and the chances of humanity surviving and prospering, better than they are now. If you're not
familiar with Musk's story, read this. The things that he has done, and that he is trying to
accomplish, are truly incredible.
Lesson: Pay it forward. Make the world, and the people around you, better. Think beyond your
lifetime.

As Albert Einstein purportedly said, the definition of insanity “is doing the same thing over and
over expecting different results.” Billionaires don’t become billionaires by taking the common
path through life, so if you’re hoping to join their ranks, then you'll need to get in touch with
your inner-rebel and explore alternate paths.

10 Powerful Habits That Will Make You a

Millionaire
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I remember sitting in a cold and dusty basement, searching for the habits that could change my
life.

Being 21 years old, I was ready to take my life to the next level, but I felt stuck for three reasons:
I lived at my parents' house, I had an $8-per-hour job, and I was enrolled in an never-ending
MBA program. Deep down inside, I knew I had to escape. However, I wasn't going to run away
from myself, which was something I always did.

This time, I was determined to make a change and I was deeply inspired to become successful,
but I didn't know what to do or where to start. However, I firmly believed that if I changed my
habits, my habits would change me. Instead of fooling around with miscellaneous activities, like
sports and television, I decided to take up new habits, like reading books and giving speeches.

These habits led to a succession of positive results. Professionally, I became more competent.
Personally, I became more confident. This realization that competence breeds confidence was the
pivotal point that changed my life. It enabled me to reach the acme of success I now encounter,
allowing me to create wealth and inspiration for millions of people.

Moreover, it came at a great sacrifice. These habits that I created were the anchors that made me
who I am today. Therefore, here are the 10 powerful habits that will make you a millionaire:

1. Simplify Your Words

How well do you spread your message? Millionaires know how to share their message in
simplest terms. They use their words with precision and possess deep meaning in what they say.
Personally, I peruse the dictionary every day, but I would never attempt to use every word I
know. By speaking pompously, many people exterminate their opportunities. In short, never
drown people in the sea of verbosity. 
To learn to speak with ease, join your local Toastmasters club to brush up on your
communication skills. Unfortunately, too many people get lazy with their communication and
subtly conform to the habits of others. However, millionaires diligently work on how to improve
what they say and seamlessly find easier ways to say it, whether it's verbally or written.

2. Abandon the Old
Before you are able to face the new, you must relinquish the old. If you want a new car or house,
then bless the old one and search for the new. When you want to achieve a positive mindset, you
must get rid of the negative one first. To abandon your negative habits, you must replace them
with positive ones.

I realized this great habit one day as I was feasting on a couple cheap burgers at McDonald's.
With great disgust, I ventured out to find the finest steak houses in the area to seek new and
delectable experience with my meals. Instead of indulging in $1 burgers several times a week, I
was happier to splurge my money on a robust steak once or twice per month. 

We are what we repeatedly do. Therefore, excellence is

not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle
3. Daily Goal-Setting
Every day, I set my goals on paper. This is an inspiring habit that I promise to keep for the rest of
my life. Whether you're writing your financial projections, planning your weekly tasks, or
scheming new ways to build your empire, you'll want to procure a daily goal-setting habit that
will give you momentum on a daily basis.

When you set your goals every day, it allows you to prioritize and keep "first things
first." Prioritization is doing first what matters most. Instead of pursuing $100 actions, this habit
will promote you to embody $1,000 activities. Once you accumulate more profitable activities in
your day, you'll add money to the bank, making you a millionaire in the process. 

Related: How to Become a Millionaire in Under 5 Years

4. Being Congruent
You must do what you say you're going to do. There will be many times in your life where you'll
be asked to sacrifice your personal values to reach professional goals. When this temptation
occurs, don't do it. There's nothing more valuable than remaining congruent in your personal and
professional lives. It allows you to mix "business with pleasure."

Strangely enough, many people tell you that you can't mix business with pleasure. However, this
assertion is absurd and will only be preached by incongruent people. When you're doing what
you love, business is pleasure. When you're living a life that is based on integrity, your
reputation will grow, enriching yourself and many others in the process. Never put your
reputation in jeopardy by failing to remain congruent with your highest values and ideals. 

5. Decision-Making
The more decisions you make, the more successful you will be. While one person could make a
dozen decisions in a day, another one can make hundreds in a day. The person who makes the
most decisions will win, even if their decisions lead to failure. Just imagine, if you were going
the opposite way on a one-way street, you'd learn to quickly make adjustments!

However, most people are afraid to make crucial decisions because they are conquered by fears,
which leaves them paralyzed. Being paralyzed prevents them from making decisions, thereby
forcing them to forfeit opportunities. Always make a decision, even if you don't know where it
will lead. Soon enough, you'll find the answers you need. 

6. Asking Questions
Most people assume that they know answers. Their assumptions actually hold them back from
knowing the truth. Truly, you want to ask questions to gain clarity about the direction you are
heading. The fact is that many people don't ask any questions as they habitually guess their way
by creating answers for themselves.

To become a millionaire, don't answer your questions, but question your answers. When

you need to know the facts, you must inquire, not just make assumptions. Many people don't
want to ask questions because it exposes them to confront the reality of their circumstance,
which may scare them. Moreover, asking questions forces them into the laborious task of
thinking, which is why they fail to ask questions. 

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.

-Voltaire
7. Become a Master
One time, a fine pianist performed at a party for 50 rich women. After she was done, a woman
from the party said to the virtuoso, "I'd give anything to play as you do." As the master pianist
sipped her coffee in slow motion, she took a brief pause and said, "Oh no you wouldn't." Soon,
a great hush filled the room as they were baffled in astonishment and massive confusion.

She continued, "You'd give anything to play as I do, except time. You wouldn't sit and practice,
hour after hour, day after day, year after years." Then she flashed a warm smile while
repositioning her coffee cup. "Please understand, I'm not criticizing," she said. "I'm just telling
you that when you say you'd give anything to play as I do, you don't really mean it. You really
don't mean it at all."

Every master was once a disaster. - T. Harv Eker

8. Embellish Your Appearance
Upgrading your appearance is instrumental to becoming a millionaire. Avoiding bad habits
like drugs, tobacco, and excessive drinking of alcohol will always give you a more confident
expression. By exercising four to five times per week, you are destined to become more
physically attractive. You can easily beautify yourself by making minor changes to your
appearances.

I have seen older men who apply mascara to their gray hairs. I know a woman who takes
regular naps and occasionally sleeps 12 hours straight to avoid baggy eyes. Constantly embellish
your appearance, even in the smallest ways, like shaving or applying cosmetics. Soon
enough, you'll find more opportunities attracted to you. Looking like a millionaire is a best
way to becoming one!

Related: 5 Secrets Most People Don't Know About Money

9. Doing the Maximum

The only element of success that you can control is your effort. Most people do minimum work,
but expect maximum results. Instead of shirking the responsibilities of work, millionaires find
better ways to achieve their goals. They go the extra mile to leverage themselves through people
and systems, while using their efforts to optimize their talents.

Recently, we had more than three feet of snow, which requires tremendous effort to remove. My
neighbor checked on me to see how I was doing. He was drenched in snow when he asked,
"Aren't you going to come out and shovel?" I told him, "Nope, I hired someone to do it." When
you maximize your efforts by focusing on how you can utilize your talents, you will dramatically
increase your wealth. 

People pretend not like grapes when the vines are too
high for them to reach. - Marguerite de Navarre
10. Obey the 'Rule of 500'
Early on in my business, I had a great struggle obtaining clients. It wasn't until I ran into the
"Rule of 500" concept that changed my life. Basically, this habit taught me that if I wanted to
become a millionaire, I would have to constantly reach out to a minimum of 500 people per
month, either by phone or email. Knowing that I would face a lot of rejection, I was still willing
to make it happen. 

Thankfully, I found that there are many ways to obtain a list of contacts. At first, you'll have to
search diligently for these people who need your talent the most. When you grasp their attention
with an email or phone call, you must move in with great initiative to offer your product or
service. Obviously, not everyone will like you or what you offer, so be ready to face massive
rejection. You'll be lucky if you have a 5 percent conversion rate when reaching out!

Good habits are as addictive as bad habits. Once you've adopted a good habit, keep gaining new
ones. An average person develops 6-10 new habits per year, which also means that they are
dropping 6-10 old habits! Regardless, think about your daily habits and how they affect you. And
remember, you make your habits in the beginning, then your habits make you!

Low Cost Business Ideas

The Top 100 Low-Cost Franchises

Franchises with lower costs of entry can make it easier for you to plan to be your own boss.
Here's a look at the strategies behind low-cost franchising and some resources on where to find
successful opportunities.

Creative Ideas

 Arts & crafts business

 Creativity consultant
 Interior designer
 Jewelry

Doing What You Love

 Freelancing your expertise

 Hobby business
 Sports business

Product Sales

 Cart/kiosk
 Direct sales
 eBay
 Gift basket
  Swap meet sales

Even More Ideas

 6 Senior Care Ideas

 9 Pet Businesses
 25 Part-Time Business Ideas
 105 Service Businesses
 Weekend Businesses Ideas

B-to-B Businesses

 Bookkeeping
 Business support
 Consulting
 Desktop publishing
 Manufacturer's rep
 Medical claims
 Security specialist
 Seminar production
 Transcription service
 Virtual assistant business

Personal Services

 Child-care
 Elder Care
 Financial Advisor
 Organizer
 Personal concierge
 Personal shopper
 Remodeling contractor
 Tutoring service
 Wedding consultant

Other Services

 Cleaning
 Event planning
 Mobile photography