5 Mindset Shifts That Will Manifest Wealth & Abundance In Your Life TODAY
In this episode of The School of Greatness, Lewis Howes explores how to develop a healthier relationship with money by sharing his personal journey from financial hardship to success. Drawing from his own experiences during the 2008-2009 economic crisis and the influence of his father's financial habits, Howes explains how personal history shapes our approach to money management.
The episode delves into practical strategies for achieving financial freedom, including the seven key habits Howes outlines in his book "Make Money Easy." He discusses the importance of understanding your money mindset, setting clear financial goals, and finding mentors to guide financial decisions. Through insights gained from conversations with successful individuals, Howes addresses both the practical and psychological aspects of building lasting financial peace.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Aug 8, 2025 episode of the The School of Greatness
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1-Page Summary
Personal Money Experiences and Mindset
Lewis Howes shares his journey from financial hardship to success, reflecting on his experiences from about 15 years ago when he was sleeping on his sister's couch. During the 2008-2009 economic crisis, Howes worked various low-paying jobs, including truck driving for $250 a week and bouncing at nightclubs for $10 an hour. His father's influence played a significant role in shaping his money mindset, particularly through small acts of generosity like tipping with $2 bills—a practice Howes continues today.
The Relationship With Money
Howes emphasizes that money functions as an energetic force that influences our lives. He suggests that understanding one's "money style," which is shaped by personal experiences and parental influences, is crucial for achieving financial freedom. According to Howes, transforming one's relationship with money requires both recognition and healing of past financial experiences.
Strategies and Habits for Financial Freedom
In his book "Make Money Easy," Howes outlines seven essential habits for achieving financial peace: mindset, mapping, monetizing, mastermind, mobility, magnetic, and mastery. He stresses the importance of having clear financial goals and understanding how much money you want to earn and why. Drawing from interviews with wealthy individuals, including billionaires and multimillionaires, Howes advocates for finding money mentors to guide financial decision-making and minimize risks. He emphasizes that proper money management combines practical knowledge with psychological insight to create lasting financial peace.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- The concept of money as an "energetic force" is metaphorical and may not resonate with everyone, especially those who view money strictly as a tool or medium of exchange.
- The idea of a "money style" being crucial for financial freedom could be seen as oversimplifying the complex factors that contribute to financial success, such as economic conditions, education, and opportunities.
- The notion that recognizing and healing past financial experiences is necessary for transforming one's relationship with money may not address the practical financial challenges that individuals face in the present.
- The seven essential habits outlined by Howes, while potentially helpful, may not be universally applicable or sufficient for achieving financial peace, as individual circumstances vary greatly.
- The emphasis on having clear financial goals and understanding why you want to earn money might not take into account that for many people, earning money is not a choice but a necessity for survival.
- The advice to find money mentors could be challenging for individuals who do not have access to such resources or who may not be able to discern between qualified and unqualified advisors.
- The assertion that proper money management requires a combination of practical knowledge and psychological insight might overlook the fact that for some individuals, financial peace is hindered by systemic issues beyond their control, such as poverty, discrimination, or lack of access to financial education.
Actionables
- You can create a "money energy" journal to track how you feel about financial transactions over a month. Note down every time you spend or receive money, and record your emotional response to each transaction. This practice will help you identify patterns in your emotional reactions to money and may reveal underlying beliefs that could be influencing your financial decisions.
- Start a "financial autobiography" to explore your past experiences with money. Write down key financial events in your life, how they made you feel, and what lessons you took from them. This exercise aims to uncover and understand past influences on your current financial behavior, which can be the first step in transforming your relationship with money.
- Organize a monthly "money circle" with friends or community members where you discuss financial goals, challenges, and successes. Each person can share their experiences, offer support, and provide accountability for others. This peer mentorship can be a powerful way to learn from others and stay motivated on your financial journey.
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Personal Money Experiences and Mindset
Lewis Howes opens up about the trials he faced financially, recounting a time when he struggled to make ends meet and resorted to sleeping on his sister's couch. Sharing his journey from financial uncertainty to financial mindfulness, Howes reflects on the lasting lessons and impact these experiences had on his attitude toward money.
Lewis Howes Recounts His Journey From Financial Struggles and Sleeping On His Sister's Couch To Low-paying Early Career Jobs
Howes shares stories from about 15 years ago when he found himself broke and living on his sister's couch. The challenges he faced during this time were compounded by a tough job market, particularly during the 2008-2009 economic crisis which heavily favored hiring individuals with college degrees. Without one, Howes still took on whatever work he could find, including low-paying jobs such as truck driving for $250 a week and working as a nightclub bouncer for $10 an hour.
Howes also reflects on writing the book "Make Money Easy," recognizing that the guidance within would have been a source of peace during his times of financial distress. Despite learning how to make money around the age of 25 to 27, Howes admits he still grappled with stress and anxiety surrounding his financial situation.
Howes Learned Money Lessons From His Father, Who Tipped Servers With $2 Bills to Spread Generosity
Lewis Howes shares insights into his father's influence on his money mindset, discussing how his father worked hard for many years until his business finally took off when Howes was around 16. Although fortune was short-lived due to a car accident that left his father unable to work, the period of financial prosperity left an imprint on Howes.
A memorable practice of his father was the habit of tipping with $2 bills, a small yet joyful gesture that created memorable experiences for the receivers. This generosity wasn't just in words but in actions, and Howes noticed that people seemed to appreciate the $2 bills more than a couple of singles. Howes honors his father's le ...
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Personal Money Experiences and Mindset
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Counterarguments
- While tipping with $2 bills is a unique gesture, it may not always be practical or appreciated in different cultural contexts where the significance of a $2 bill is not recognized.
- Advocating for a positive relationship with money is beneficial, but it may oversimplify the complexities and systemic issues that contribute to financial struggles for many individuals.
- The idea of envisioning money as a person could be helpful for some, but others may find it more effective to approach money management with practical strategies rather than personification.
- The suggestion that money can amplify personal attributes like generosity and kindness is a positive message, but it could imply that those with less money are less capable of expressing these qualities, which is not necessarily true.
- The narrative of overcoming financial struggles through personal effort and mindset is inspiring, but it may not acknowledge the role of privilege, support networks, and opportunities that also play critical roles in financial success.
- The concept that self ...
Actionables
- Create a "Money Relationship" journal to document your daily financial interactions and feelings. By writing down how you feel when you spend, save, or receive money, you can uncover patterns in your emotional responses and work on fostering a more positive relationship with your finances. For example, if you notice anxiety when paying bills, you might explore methods to associate bill-paying with gratitude for the services you're receiving.
- Start a "Generosity Experiment" by setting aside a small amount of money each week to use exclusively for acts of kindness. This could be as simple as buying coffee for a stranger or donating to a cause you believe in. The goal is to experience firsthand how using money as a tool for generosity can enhance your joy and connection to others.
- Develop a "Self-Worth Ledger" ...
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The Relationship With Money
Lewis Howes delves into the complex relationship people have with money, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and mindset in achieving financial well-being.
Money as an Energetic Force
Howes suggests that money is not just a physical entity but also an energetic force that influences our lives. He conveys that individuals' interactions with money play a crucial role in their overall financial health. A change in one's mindset surrounding money is crucial; Howes proposes that by shifting the perspective and cultivating a mindset geared towards financial peace and generosity, one can start to create a richer lived experience.
Healing Money Relationship Key to Financial Change
Identifying and understanding one's personal relationship with money is considered a fundamental step towards financial transformation. Howes implies that a healthier approach to money can be fostered through recognition and healing of one’s past financial experiences and attitudes.
Howes Discusses "Money Style," Shaped by Personal Money History
According to Howes, being aware of your "money style" is vital for understanding your financial behaviors, particularly the reasons behind a lack of abundance in your life. He explains that this style originates from one's "money story," which is shaped by various factor ...
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The Relationship With Money
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Money as a purely energetic force may oversimplify complex economic systems and individual circumstances that impact financial health.
- A mindset shift alone may not be sufficient for achieving financial peace without addressing systemic barriers and practical financial literacy.
- The concept of healing one's relationship with money might not resonate with everyone, especially if their financial challenges are not rooted in past experiences but in current economic realities.
- The idea of a "money style" being central to financial well-being could be seen as reductive, ignoring other critical factors like income inequality, access to education, and economic policy.
- The emphasis on personal money history might overlook the role of structural issues in shaping an individual's financial situation.
- The notion that most people are unaware of ...
Actionables
- Create a money mantra that aligns with your desired financial mindset and repeat it daily to reinforce a positive relationship with money. For example, if you aspire to feel more at peace with your finances, you might use a mantra like "I am in control of my finances and I welcome abundance with gratitude." Say this to yourself every morning and whenever you're about to make a financial decision to help shift your perspective towards one of empowerment and positivity.
- Start a 'money emotions' journal to track how different financial interactions make you feel, which can uncover patterns in your money style. Whenever you make a purchase, receive money, or even think about your finances, jot down the emotions you experience. Over time, you'll begin to see trends that can reveal deeper insights into your financial behaviors, such as feeling guilty when spending on non-essentials or joy when saving a certain amount, guiding you towards understanding and reshaping your money story.
- Engage in a ' ...
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Strategies and Habits for Financial Freedom
Lewis Howes' new book "Make Money Easy" presents strategies for achieving financial freedom by fostering practical and psychological habits of money management, aiming to guide readers to a more abundant and peaceful financial future.
Essential Money Habits From "Make Money Easy" By Howes
Unlock Financial Peace: Habits For Managing Money Practically and Psychologically
Howes' "Make Money Easy" is a culmination of years of research, designed to make money management comprehensible and approachable. With the perspective that changing one's relationship with money is more crucial than just acquiring more wealth, Howes delves into the psychological aspects of financial peace, suggesting that having the right mindset is key.
He introduces the concept of a "money map," essential for visualizing clear financial goals, and stresses the importance of knowing how much money you want to earn and why. According to Howes, clarity in financial objectives is a common stumbling block that can limit earning potential.
Howes outlines seven essential money habits to unlock financial peace and freedom. Starting with the mindset habit, he emphasizes having the proper mental approach to money. He further discusses the mapping habit for goals, the monetizing habit for leveraging skills, the mastermind habit that increased his earnings, the mobility habit for scaling wealth, the magnetic habit for rallying support from others, and finally, the mastery habit for overall financial proficiency.
Howes explains that by embracing who you are and the unique value you offer, you can attract more money to yourself. He underscores the feeling of financial freedom that comes from showing up with particular actions and energy. In "Make Money Easy," Howes seeks to impart these habits to help others manage money more effectively, blend practical knowledge with psychological insight, and ultimately find peace and harmony with money.
Finding Money Mentors to Guide and Minimize Risks
Insights & Tips From "Make Money Easy" Interviews With the Wealthy
Leveraging insights from wealthy individuals, including billionaires and multimillionaires, Howes imbues "Make Money Easy" with collective wisdom gained from interviews. These conversations examine what k ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Strategies and Habits for Financial Freedom
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The concept of a "money map" might oversimplify the complexities of financial planning, as real-life financial situations can be unpredictable and not easily charted.
- Clarity in financial objectives, while important, may not account for systemic issues and economic barriers that limit earning potential for some individuals.
- The seven essential money habits proposed by Howes could be criticized for assuming that individual habits alone can lead to financial freedom, without considering external economic factors.
- The idea that embracing one's unique value can attract more money may not always hold true in a competitive market where other factors like networking, opportunity, and luck play significant roles.
- The notion that financial freedom comes from specific actions and energy could be seen as an oversimplification, ignoring the role of structural inequalities in wealth distribution.
- The effectiveness of finding money mentors might vary greatly depending on the accessibility of such mentors and the relevance of their advice to different economic contexts or individual circumstances.
- Learning from successful financiers could be beneficial, but it may not be a one-size-fits-all ...
Actionables
- Create a visual money map using a free digital art platform. Choose a platform like Canva or Adobe Spark to design a personalized "money map" that visually represents your financial goals, income streams, and budget. Use icons, charts, and colors to make it engaging and place it somewhere you'll see daily, like your phone's wallpaper or printed on your fridge.
- Develop a habit tracker for your seven money habits. Use a simple app like Habitica or a physical journal to track your daily progress on habits like mindset shifts, goal mapping, and skill monetization. Reward yourself with a small treat or a break for maintaining streaks, which will help reinforce these habits.
- Organize a monthly "financial freedom book club" with friends or online community m ...
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