Ok, I'll have a crack at these.
As the author of this list has used the words "rich people" to be the opposite of "average", my interpretation (to not be divisive or demeaning to those fiscally challenged) implies the notion of success (proactive go-getter types), which includes money and other elements of wealth.
1. Average people think MONEY is the root of all evil. Rich people believe POVERTY is the root of all evil.
People are the root of all evil with their thoughts and beliefs.....and actions. Money is a magnifier of all good and bad.
2. Average people think selfishness is a vice. Rich people think selfishness is a virtue.
Agree, in the true meaning of the term, it doesn't imply harm to another, merely looking after one's own self interest before the interests of others. To help others you need to be the best YOU that you can be. The oxygen mask metaphor during the safety demonstration in an aircraft is apt.For those interested a good book on this is by Ayn Rand called The Virtue of Selfishness.
3. Average people have a lottery mentality. Rich people have an action mentality.
Mostly this is true. Those who remain stuck usually allow life to happen to them rather than proactively seek to create their outcome.
4. Average people think the road to riches is paved with formal education. Rich people believe in acquiring specific knowledge.
Horses for courses. There are plenty of rich academically qualified people just as there are rich go-getter biz peole who had no formal education.
Hunger is the key ingredient. Many people are too comfortable on the couch.
5. Average people long for the good old days. Rich people dream of the future.
The halcyon days are now.
Now is all we have. As well as dreaming of the future, action is required to move in that direction.
6. Average people see money through the eyes of emotion. Rich people think about money logically.
Disagree. Whilst some decisions require rational calculated thought processes, there are times when trusting intuition and the gut feeling serves me better than just crunching numbers ad infinitum. Intuition and emotion are different beasts. The latter has a lack of focus/control whereas the former is usually experiential and based on all past successes and failures to arrive at a quick decision that "feels right".
7. Average people earn money doing things they don’t love. Rich people follow their passion.
True for both sides of the fence. I know quite a number of financially rich people who are miserable and vice versa. Having a passion is important though for holistic success and happiness.
8. Average people set low expectations so they’re never disappointed. Rich people are up for the challenge.
The masses are dumbed down by media and the current education system which as aimed at producing good little worker slaves to pay as much PAYG tax as can be extracted by the government of the day. Even within this framework, those who spend less than they earn and invest the difference can, over time, change their financial outcome.
9. Average people believe you have to DO something to get rich. Rich people believe you have to BE something to get rich.
Mindest is important in many areas of success.
10. Average people believe you need money to make money. Rich people use other people’s money.
Entrepreneurs use other people's money and they are few and far between. To get ahead some savings are required which may then be leveraged using OPM to invest in properties, shares, businesses, etc.Most of us do need money to make money.
11. Average people believe the markets are driven by logic and strategy. Rich people know they’re driven by emotion and greed.
Yep especially short term the (stock) markets are voting machines.
12. Average people live beyond their means. Rich people live below theirs.
Yes, I agree discipline is required. This is in contrast to point 17 though. Spend less than you earn requires an element of saving not just earning more.
Read the book The Millionaire Next Door by Stanley and Danko.
13. Average people teach their children how to survive. Rich people teach their kids to get rich.
I think it's important to teach children that it is not OK to have an entitlement mentality and that to flourish in health, wealth, family, etc., some responsibility is needed.
14. Average people let money stress them out. Rich people find peace of mind in wealth.
Not so sure about that. Average people probably let the (LACK of) money stress them out. Having more monetary wealth actually comes with added responsibility and sometimes fiscal headaches.(
15. Average people would rather be entertained than educated. Rich people would rather be educated than entertained.
I enjoy learning and am a big reader. I also enjoy being entertained (passively) although it is rarely through TV.
16. Average people think rich people are snobs. Rich people just want to surround themselves with like-minded people
Ahhh, the topic of poppy stature. There are those who through fear/jealousy need to knock down others to not be intimidated by their own shortcomings or lack of proactivity. In my experience, not all rich people celebrate accomplishment though. There can be an element of tall poppy syndrome amongst the more financially accomplished also.
17. Average people focus on saving. Rich people focus on earning.
See my thoughts to point # 12. This statement is not congruent with what the author has indicated earlier IMO. Agree with others who have posted thast spending less than you earn is important on the path to accumulating financial riches as long as some investment (and re-investment) is also taking place.
18. Average people play it safe with money. Rich people know when to take risks.
Agree. Sometimes risky can be the new safe, as long as there is sensible portfolio apportionment to the more risky investments.
19. Average people love to be comfortable. Rich people find comfort in uncertainty.
To be above average I believe that some discomfort is required, at least initially, to get off the couch and take initiative.
20. Average people never make the connection between money and health. Rich people know money can save your life.
It didn't help the late Kerry Packer in the end. It is true that a better standard of medical care wil be availed to those that have the wherewithall to afford the requisite treatments. Wealth without health is not wealth at all IMO.
21. Average people believe they must choose between a great family and being rich. Rich people know you can have it all.
The either/or mentality usally does afflict the masses, however I'll caveat with (as mentioned earlier) that I know a number of rich people who despite their monetary wealth are miserable, divorced and without love and connection.
True success (being rich) to my mind is having peace of mind, great health, loving relationships (family and/or friends), meaning/purpose and financial riches.
Hmm that took a while.
Not having a go at the author, merely chucking in my 0.02 and how I see this game we play on the road to succe$$.
Have a good one
