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Follow These 7 Keys & Never Be Broke Again

By Lewis Howes

In this episode of The School of Greatness, Lewis Howes examines the connection between mindset and financial success. He discusses how belief systems and personal identity shape our relationship with money, and explains how the language we use when talking about finances can either limit or expand our potential for wealth.

The episode covers practical approaches to building wealth, including the importance of viewing money as energy that needs to flow rather than be hoarded. Howes explores the role of personal development in financial growth, sharing insights about investing in education and mentorship before material purchases. He also addresses how emotions like guilt and gratitude can influence financial outcomes, and offers strategies for developing a healthier relationship with money.

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Follow These 7 Keys & Never Be Broke Again

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Follow These 7 Keys & Never Be Broke Again

1-Page Summary

Mindset and Beliefs Around Money

Lewis Howes explores the psychological aspects of wealth, demonstrating how our financial state is deeply connected to our belief systems and personal identity. He emphasizes the importance of shifting limiting beliefs about money into empowering ones, suggesting that replacing thoughts like "I can't afford this" with "I can learn to manage wealth" can transform our relationship with money.

According to Howes, money acts as an amplifier of character - making generous people more giving and stingy people more miserly. He warns that negative emotions like guilt and shame can block wealth growth, and advocates instead for cultivating gratitude and joy to attract financial success.

Emotional Relationship With Money

Howes describes money as a form of energy that needs to flow freely. He encourages people to appreciate every dollar while allowing it to circulate through investing or giving, rather than hoarding it. This approach, he suggests, creates an environment where wealth can grow naturally.

The power of language plays a crucial role in shaping financial destiny. Howes advocates for using empowering language when talking about money and normalizing success without apology. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and valuing the work that attracts wealth while maintaining a healthy relationship with abundance.

Investing In Personal Growth and Development

Howes strongly emphasizes prioritizing investment in personal development over luxury spending. He shares personal experiences, including paying for workshops and mentorship programs that provided valuable insights for business growth. According to Howes, earning money isn't the same as managing it effectively, and he advises developing an appreciative relationship with money that focuses on making, growing, and protecting wealth.

Drawing from Dean Graziosi's perspective, Howes notes that people tend to value and apply knowledge more when they've invested in it. He encourages creating a personal contract to dedicate time to workshops, mentorship, and personal growth before indulging in material purchases.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While mindset is important, systemic issues and socioeconomic barriers can also significantly impact one's financial state, and not all financial challenges can be overcome by changing beliefs or attitudes.
  • The idea that money amplifies character traits is an oversimplification; people's behaviors with money can be complex and influenced by many factors beyond their inherent generosity or stinginess.
  • Emotions like guilt and shame might sometimes serve as signals that one's approach to money is misaligned with their values or ethics, and not necessarily as mere blocks to wealth growth.
  • The concept of money as energy that needs to flow might not resonate with everyone, especially those who prioritize saving and financial security over the idea of constant circulation.
  • The emphasis on language and mindset may underplay the importance of concrete financial education and skills, which are also critical for managing money effectively.
  • Prioritizing personal development spending over luxury spending may not be the best advice for everyone, as financial circumstances vary greatly, and what constitutes a worthwhile investment can be subjective.
  • The value derived from workshops and mentorship programs can vary, and not all such investments necessarily lead to valuable insights or business growth.
  • The notion that one must invest in knowledge to value it may not account for the various ways people can learn effectively without significant financial investment, such as through free online resources, libraries, or mentorship.
  • Creating a personal contract for self-improvement before indulging in material purchases may not be a feasible or desirable strategy for everyone, as personal fulfillment and financial goals are highly individual.

Actionables

  • You can start a "Money Mindset Journal" where you write down your daily financial interactions and the emotions or beliefs associated with them. This practice will help you identify and work on shifting any limiting beliefs about money. For example, if you notice you're feeling guilty after spending, explore why and write down a more empowering belief to replace it.
  • Create a "Gratitude Piggy Bank" where you deposit a small amount of money each time you feel grateful for something in your life. This tangible act reinforces the connection between gratitude and financial abundance. As the bank fills, use the money to invest in a personal development resource, symbolizing the flow and growth of your wealth.
  • Develop a "Language of Wealth" flashcard set with phrases that reflect an empowering financial mindset. Use these cards daily to practice and internalize positive financial language. For instance, a card might say, "I am a savvy investor" or "My actions create prosperity." This will help normalize success and reinforce a positive relationship with money.

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Follow These 7 Keys & Never Be Broke Again

Mindset and Beliefs Around Money

Lewis Howes discusses the psychological aspects of wealth, emphasizing that one’s financial state is deeply connected to their belief system and personal identity.

Wealth Starts In the Mind, Not the Bank

Shift Limiting Money Beliefs Into Empowering Ones. Replace "I Can't" With "I Can Learn and Improve."

Lewis Howes encourages individuals to shift their limiting beliefs about money by changing their internal language and self-concept. He suggests that replacing thoughts such as "I can't afford this" with "I can learn to manage wealth" can initiate a more positive and capable attitude toward money. Howes advises people to examine and alter their beliefs about wealth, and to affirm a new financial identity centered on attracting, managing, and multiplying money. He shares his own experiences of transitioning from feeling "dumb" and struggling to considering himself "wise," thereby embracing a more empowering belief about his capabilities.

Money Amplifies Who You Are

Negativity Increases Stinginess; Positivity Fosters Generosity

Howes explains that money acts as an amplifier of one's character. If a person is inherently stingy and selfish, more money will enhance those traits. Conversely, if someone is kind and generous, an increase in wealth will magnify their generosity. He suggests that readiness for money isn't just about financial aptitude but also about emotional and psychological preparation.

Guilt Is a Wealth Killer

Guilt, Shame, and Self-Doubt Block Wealth Growth; Cultivate Gratitude and Giving Instead

Lewis Howes contends that negative emotions such as guilt, shame, and self-doubt operate at low-frequency levels, repelling financial success. He advocates adopting higher frequencies of joy, gratitude, and love to at ...

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Mindset and Beliefs Around Money

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While mindset is important, systemic issues and socioeconomic barriers can significantly impact one's financial state, regardless of personal beliefs or attitudes.
  • The idea that money amplifies character traits is an oversimplification; people's behaviors with money can be complex and influenced by many factors beyond their inherent character.
  • Emotional and psychological readiness is not the only requirement for financial success; practical skills, education, and access to resources are also critical.
  • Negative emotions may not always repel financial success; some individuals may be motivated by these feelings to work harder and achieve financial stability.
  • The concept of attracting wealth through high-frequency emotions like joy and love can be seen as a form of magical thinking and may not have a basis in empirical evidence.
  • The notion that guilt over having money can block wealth growth does not consider that guilt may sometimes stem from valid concerns ...

Actionables

  • Create a "money mantra" that you repeat daily to reshape your financial self-image. Write a positive affirmation that aligns with your desired financial state and repeat it each morning. For example, "I am a magnet for prosperity, and my wealth is constantly expanding."
  • Start a "gratitude and abundance" journal to foster a positive emotional connection with money. Every evening, jot down three financial occurrences you're grateful for, no matter how small, to reinforce the belief that wealth is flowing into your life.
  • Engage in a "generosity challe ...

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Emotional Relationship With Money

Lewis Howes delves into the concept that our relationship with money is deeply intertwined with our emotions and should be managed with care.

Money Is Energy That Needs to Flow

Howes equates money to energy, insisting that it needs to stay in motion.

Loosen Your Grip on Money; Appreciate and Let It Circulate

Howes emphasizes that money, like energy, should flow freely. He advises individuals to foster an attitude of appreciation for every dollar they receive and to allow money to circulate. By investing or even giving money away, one creates a dynamic environment for their wealth. He highlights the importance of not hoarding money, but instead trusting in its return and allowing it to grow. Reflecting on his own past behavior, Howes admits he once gripped his finances too tightly, which he now understands blocked the flow of abundance.

When money comes his way, Howes considers where it should go — whether into a bank account, an investment, a purchase, or as a donation — treating money as an energy that needs to move.

Speak Wealth Into Existence

Howes discusses the power of language in shaping our financial destiny.

Empowering Money Language: Affirm Growth Over Limiting Beliefs

He advocates for empowering language when talking about money, including affirming beliefs in our ability to attract, manage, and multiply wealth. Howes suggests using affirmations such as "I am a loving, passionate, wise man," which he believes can help change restrictive narratives, encouraging self-belief and growth. Howes proposes adopting a growth-oriented language when discussing finances and learning about money, thereby nurturing a mindset that attracts wealth.

Normalize Success

Howes argues for the normalization of wealth and success, underscoring the importance of valuing one's own worth.

Don't Apologize For Abundance; Appreciate Your Value Attracting Wealth

He emphasizes the significance o ...

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Emotional Relationship With Money

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • Money as a finite resource: While money can be seen as energy, it is also a finite resource for many people, and the idea of it needing to flow might not take into account the real limitations and scarcity that some individuals face.
  • The risk of overspending: Encouraging money to circulate without emphasizing the importance of budgeting and saving could lead to financial irresponsibility and overspending.
  • Affirmations vs. action: While positive affirmations about wealth can be empowering, they must be paired with concrete actions and financial planning to be effective.
  • Language limitations: The power of language to shape financial destiny can be overstated; systemic issues and external factors often play a larger role in an individual's financial situation than their language or mindset.
  • Normalizing success: The idea of normalizing wealth and success doesn't address the systemic inequalities tha ...

Actionables

  • Create a "Wealth Flow" jar to physically manifest the flow of money. Start by decorating a jar with symbols of wealth and abundance. Each day, put a small amount of money into it while expressing gratitude for your current wealth. At the end of the month, donate the contents to a cause that resonates with you, reinforcing the idea that money flows to and from you positively.
  • Develop a "Prosperity Vocabulary" journal to shift your language around money. Dedicate a notebook to writing down positive financial affirmations and phrases that reinforce a growth mindset. For example, instead of saying "I can't afford this," write "I choose to invest my money in what truly matters to me." Review and recite these affirmations daily to embed empowering money language into your mindset.
  • Practice "Abundance Role-Playing" to normalize success and appreciate your value. Once a week, act ...

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Follow These 7 Keys & Never Be Broke Again

Investing In Personal Growth and Development

Lewis Howes provides insights into the importance of investing in oneself, emphasizing that personal development should take precedence over luxury spending and discretionary expenditures.

Invest In Yourself First

Prioritize Investing In Learning, Mentorship, and Overcoming Fears Before Luxury Spending

Howes underscores the importance of investing first in learning, development, mentorship, and coaching. He insists that such investments in oneself don't always require money and can include investing time in learning through free content or seeking guidance from mentors who can provide insight on various aspects of life, including money, career, and skills. Howes shares his own experience of paying a substantial amount to learn a lesson about protecting one's reputation, highlighting the long-term benefits of such an investment. Howes details spending $10,000 on a two-day workshop, which provided him with key insights that helped his business grow, thereby demonstrating the payoff of investing in personal development.

Howes also speaks about working for a mentor, emphasizing the significance of personal growth and learning over immediate monetary reward. Further, he reflects on attending an emotional intelligence workshop, which helped him overcome personal challenges and lead a more peaceful life. Howes promotes the idea of creating a contract with oneself to dedicate time to workshops, mentorship, and personal growth, over material indulgence.

Earning Money Isn't Managing It

Develop an Appreciative Relationship With Money: Focus On Making, Growing, and Protecting It

Howes illustrates the distinction between earning money and managing it, through a story from Alex Hermosi who spent a significant amount for advice to protect his reputation, reinforcing the concept that managing money is also about safeguarding one's personal brand. He advises developing an appreciative relationship with money by focusing on making, growing, and protecting wealth. This implies finding a balance between being generous with money and safeguarding it for the future.

Howes also discusses the importance of being ready to receive money and suggests that personal growth is directly connected to the ability to generate wealth. He advocates learning financial education and overcoming limiting beliefs before indulgence in luxury spending.

Inves ...

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Investing In Personal Growth and Development

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While investing in personal growth is important, not everyone may have the luxury to prioritize it over immediate financial responsibilities or basic needs.
  • The assumption that investments in oneself will always lead to long-term benefits may not hold true for everyone, as success is influenced by a variety of factors beyond personal development.
  • The idea of working for a mentor without immediate monetary reward assumes that individuals can afford to forgo income, which may not be feasible for everyone.
  • The concept of creating a contract with oneself to dedicate time to personal growth may not be practical for individuals with demanding schedules or those who struggle with self-discipline.
  • The narrative that earning money is different from managing it might oversimplify the complexities involved in financial literacy and the systemic barriers that can affect one's ability to manage money effectively.
  • The link between personal growth and the ability to generate wealth may not account for systemic issues and external factors that can impede financial success regardless of personal development.
  • The advice to learn financial education and overcome limiting beliefs before indulging in luxury spending does not consider that for some, occasional indulgence can be a form of self-care or motivation.
  • The recommendation to prioritize investing in personal and financial growth over discretionary spending may not acknowledge the importance of balance and the potential benefits of occasional indulgence in improving overall well-being.
  • Th ...

Actionables

  • You can start a "Skill Swap" group in your community where members exchange expertise instead of money. For example, if you're good at web design and someone else is an excellent public speaker, you could offer to build a website in exchange for public speaking lessons. This way, you invest time in learning new skills without financial cost and build relationships that contribute to personal growth.
  • Create a "Growth Hour" in your daily routine where you focus solely on activities that contribute to personal development. This could be reading a book on financial literacy, practicing a new language, or even meditating to overcome fears. The key is to treat this hour as an unbreakable appointment with yourself, ensuring consistent investment in your growth.
  • Develop a "Personal Growth Portfolio" where ...

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