What Rich People Do That Poor People Don’t

One of the things that I am all too familiar with since attending a historically black college or university (HBCU) is what you do today matters! From establishing a set time for reading and writing per day to using social media as a tool to market your brand to potential customers, what you do today is bound to, in some shape or form, impact your life and company tomorrow, and puts you light years ahead of reaching your goals and dreams.

In fact, “…your daily habits may be a major determinant of your wealth!” according to the book Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals by Thomas C. Corley. I came across this book by my mentor Jonathan P. Hairston, who serves as a Degree Audit Coordinator at Central State University and the on campus advisor to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Mu Chapter and is also my (older) fraternity brother.

“These habits are like snowflakes — they build up, and then you have an avalanche of success,” Corley wrote in his book Rich Habits:

[quote_box_center]Rich people (defined as having an annual income of 160,000 or more and a liquid net worth of 3.2 million). Poor people (defined as having an annual income of $35,000 or less and a liquid net worth of $5,000 or less). What are those rich habits that are so influential? Here are a few:

Rich people always keep their goals in sight, “I focus on my goals every day.” Rich people who agree: 62%. Poor people who agree: 6%.[/quote_box_center]

Whoah. Those are staggering numbers! Just 6% of poor people cites that they “focus on my goals every day,” while overwhelmingly the majority of rich people says that they do.

Here is another one:

[quote_box_center][Rich people] don’t watch TV, “I watch TV one hour or less per day.” Rich people who agree: 67%. Poor people who agree: 23%.[/quote_box_center]

Again, these are some striking dissimilar numbers that paints a picture for those of us wanting to establish wealth, or a sense of security over one’s well-being. Though the numbers fair better for poor people at 23%, more rich people, or the majority of people with a liquid net worth of $3.2 million says they tend to cut off the TV more so than not, and only watches one hour or less of TV per day.

The fact is, these are not coincidences or a simple case of luck. Instead, these are patterns people make in their day-to-day lives that rewards them in the future like, as Corley writes, “an avalanche of success.”

Making good habits in our daily lives involving your personal and professional goals certainly prepares you for more opportunities once they are presented, rich or poor.