"Your income can grow only to the extent that you do." – T. Harv Eker
1. Early Programming Shapes Our Financial Blueprint
Our beliefs about money are not random; they are deeply rooted in what we learned as children. From the sayings we heard repeatedly to the financial habits we witnessed, these early experiences become the foundation of our financial mindset. Parents, as primary role models, leave a lasting impact, even if their approaches are flawed.
If a child grows up hearing phrases like "Money is the root of all evil," they may associate wealth with bad morals and subconsciously avoid accumulating it. Conversely, children who hear "Money brings freedom and opportunity" are more likely to embrace the pursuit of wealth positively. This programming dictates not only how we view money but also how we behave with it as adults.
The influence of parental contributions can manifest in two ways: either children emulate the money habits of their parents or they rebel against them. Yet, simply rebelling doesn't overwrite those ingrained patterns. Unless consciously addressed, early teachings continue to control both our financial successes and failures.
Examples
- A child repeatedly told "We can't afford that" might adopt a scarcity mindset into adulthood.
- Someone raised to see money positively may develop confidence in investments and calculated risks.
- Eker himself mirrored his father's boom-and-bust habits before consciously altering his mindset.
2. Behaviors Around Money Are Often Inherited
Financial behaviors aren’t merely about beliefs; they’re also actions, often unknowingly copied from parents. Children see how their parents earn, spend, save, or lose money, and unknowingly adopt those exact practices as their own.
Parents who have struggled with periods of financial dearth may pass on their fear of taking financial risks. For example, a parent who lived through tough economic times might consistently save aggressively and teach their children to avoid all risks, even profitable investments. We also see learned lessons based on gender roles: if the father handled all finances, a child might perceive that finances are not everyone’s responsibility but one specific person’s.
The challenge is breaking free from these patterns once we realize their limitations. Eker, for instance, habitually reinvested all his earnings into new ventures, just as his father had. It wasn’t until he understood this pattern that he was able to adopt new strategies and achieve lasting success.
Examples
- A woman raised in a household where all financial decisions were made by men might hesitate to handle her own money.
- A family who struggled through wartime teaches children a compulsive need to hoard money.
- Eker’s pattern of earning and losing wealth highlighted his own inherited financial mindset.
3. Self-Awareness Is the First Step to Change
It’s impossible to change what we don’t understand. Recognizing how our thoughts and habits around money were formed is the first and most important step to rewriting them. Once these patterns surface, we can evaluate whether they align with our goals or work against them.
Eker recommends conducting a thorough personal “inventory.” Write down what your parents taught you about money, whether through words or actions. Then examine your own financial habits: Do you spend impulsively because of a belief that money is abundant or save excessively because you think money is scarce? By mapping out these patterns, you gain the clarity needed to take control.
This exercise reveals just how much of our financial status—wealthy, middle class, or poor—is linked to these subconscious scripts running in the background. Simply identifying where we’ve gone wrong enables us to start making changes.
Examples
- A person tracking their spending might realize they buy luxury items to feel “worthy.”
- Revisiting the phrase “Money doesn’t grow on trees” might uncover limiting beliefs about earning.
- Eker himself had to conduct this inventory to see how his father’s habits had shaped his own.
4. Change Requires Replacing Old Thoughts
Recognizing bad habits isn’t enough; we must replace them with better ones. Eker describes this as “overwriting” the old mental programs, not layering new ideas on top. Repeating new, empowering beliefs can change our mental patterns over time.
Using affirmations, or positive declarations, is one effective way to replace harmful ideas. For instance, saying “I have a millionaire mind” daily ingrains confidence and belief in financial success. Action, however, must follow words. Implementing new behaviors, such as pausing before a purchase to evaluate its necessity, enforces healthy financial habits.
Changing thought patterns requires patience and practice. Over time, consistent effort reprograms the mind, creating pathways for success where none existed before.
Examples
- Replace “I’ll never be rich” with “I’m learning to build wealth.”
- Turning down unnecessary sales purchases reinforces mindful money habits.
- Eker fostered wealth by starting and growing a fitness store chain—something new for him.
5. Take Responsibility for Financial Outcomes
Blaming external factors for our financial struggles keeps us stuck. Whether it’s blaming the economy, bad luck, or others, this victim mentality robs us of personal agency. Those who succeed financially take full responsibility and actively work to fix their situations.
Rich people see themselves as in control of their destiny, while poor people attribute failures to external forces. This shift in mindset transforms obstacles into opportunities for growth and encourages people to tackle financial challenges head-on.
A practical exercise is reviewing past financial missteps and identifying where better decisions could have been made. Such reflection empowers personal growth and proactive change.
Examples
- Eker emphasizes self-reflection after bad investments rather than attributing losses to outside factors.
- Instead of blaming low wages, some people pursue better training or qualifications.
- Reviewing monthly budgets can highlight areas of unnecessary spending to curb.
6. Positivity About Money Is Key
People who hold negative beliefs about wealth are unlikely to attract it. If they view money as corrupting or fear its responsibilities, they’ll instinctively avoid it. Wealthy individuals, however, embrace an optimistic outlook and seek opportunities.
Seeing money as a tool for growth, freedom, and generosity paves the way toward financial abundance. Additionally, fostering admiration for wealthy individuals rather than envy or resentment allows people to learn from successful mentors.
Positive emotions toward wealth and success attract opportunities, while negativity repels them. Everyone benefits from adopting a mindset of abundance, not scarcity.
Examples
- Recognizing wealth as an enabler of charitable acts can transform one’s attitude.
- Viewing rich individuals as role models rather than adversaries fosters mentorship opportunities.
- Developing a hopeful rather than defeated outlook encourages risk-taking.
7. Effort and Commitment Are Essential
Wishing for wealth is not enough; real prosperity requires consistent hard work and dedication. Future millionaires must be willing to make sacrifices and prioritize growth, often at the expense of short-term comforts.
Success often involves continuous self-improvement, whether through learning about finances, experimenting with business ventures, or refining strategies. Growth in personal expertise correlates directly with financial growth.
Even with an excellent plan, persistence separates the successful from the unsuccessful. For Eker, building a thriving chain required hard, long hours—yet it was this commitment that eventually brought wealth.
Examples
- Entrepreneurs spending years perfecting a product before launching it show long-term dedication.
- Pursuing higher education or training often yields increased earning potential.
- Eker’s 16-hour workdays reflected the effort required for significant wealth.
8. Think Big to Succeed Big
Setting small goals limits outcomes. Millionaires think on a larger scale, seeking ways to serve extensive markets and create endless possibilities for growth. The size of a person’s ambitions often predicts the size of their achievements.
Business models emphasizing scalability outperform those reliant on individual labor. For example, a masseuse treating one client at a time earns less than owning a chain of massage studios. Reaching larger audiences means opening the door to greater wealth.
Big thinking also attracts supportive peers and mentors, creating a network of similarly ambitious collaborators who encourage expansive opportunities.
Examples
- A small bakery meeting local demand could scale up by catering nationwide.
- Eker highlights thinking beyond time-bound services and focusing on scalable systems.
- Surrounding oneself with big thinkers fosters ambitious plans and networking.
9. Wealth Grows Through Discipline
Building wealth involves more than earning; managing and growing money are essential to sustaining it. Proper savings, clever investments, and disciplined budgeting ensure financial stability and growth.
Steps like splitting income into dedicated accounts for savings, investments, and expenses provide a clearer structure for wealth building. Passive income, such as returns from stocks, eases dependence on active labor. At the same time, curbing unnecessary expenses prevents financial leaks.
Long-term wealth is achievable when you dedicate your earnings to growth-oriented strategies rather than momentary pleasures.
Examples
- Eker recommends putting 10% of earnings into investments—money that works passively for you.
- Avoiding excessive spending creates savings for unexpected opportunities.
- Sticking to a financial plan protects against impulsive purchases.
Takeaways
- Reflect on your childhood beliefs about money and rewrite harmful ones with new, empowering affirmations.
- Commit to responsible money management by setting up accounts for savings, investments, and essential expenses.
- Embrace big thinking and scalable ventures to increase your earning potential beyond time-based limitations.