Want to get closer to being rich? Investor, entrepreneur and international educator in investing and wealth creation, TODD POLKE, shares his five steps to developing a millionaire’s mindset…
What comes first: having a million dollars in your bank account or becoming a millionaire as a person first? The answer is simple – you must develop the mindset first. A millionaire mindset isn’t about just wanting more money; it’s about thinking, acting, and making decisions like someone who builds wealth sustainably. If you don’t shift your financial identity, no amount of money will stick around for long (just ask the lottery winners who go broke within a few years!). So, how do you shift your mindset? How do you develop the habits and identity of a wealth builder? Here’s how to flick the switch and turn on your millionaire mode.
STEP 1: RESET YOUR WEALTH THERMOSTAT
Ever feel like no matter how much money you make, you always end up in the same financial spot? That’s because your financial reality isn’t just about how much you earn – it’s shaped by your beliefs, habits and behaviours. Think of it like a thermostat. No matter what happens externally, your internal setting will always pull you back to a familiar financial level. So, where’s your wealth thermostat set right now?
● Survival Mode – money comes in, but it’s gone just as fast. You’re stuck in a cycle of financial stress, just trying to stay afloat.
● Middle Mode – you’re stable, but growth feels slow or even impossible. You’re maintaining what you have, but breaking out of the grind seems tough.
● Momentum Mode – you’re making moves. Investing, leveraging your resources, and starting to build real financial traction.
● Abundance Mode – you’ve got systems working for you. Your assets generate cash flow, and now you’re focused on scaling, impact, and legacy.
The best part? You can adjust your financial setting. Take an honest look at your financial patterns because they’ll tell you exactly where your money mindset is currently programmed. Once you know where you stand, you can start making the shifts to level up.
STEP 2: SPOT YOUR MONEY BELIEFS (AND REWIRE THEM)
Most of what you believe about money was programmed into you long before you had a say in it. Your family, society and early experiences shaped how you think about earning, spending and building wealth. And let’s be real – some of those beliefs might be holding you back. Ever heard (or believed) any of these?
● “Money is hard to earn.”
● “You have to work really hard for money.”
● “Rich people are greedy.”
● “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
These thoughts create a financial ceiling before you even start. The good news? You can flip the script:
● New belief: “Money flows to me when I create value.”
● New belief: “Hard work alone doesn’t build wealth—smart work does.”
● New belief: “Wealthy people create impact.”
● New belief: “I am worth it.”
Your move: Write down three limiting money beliefs that might be holding you back. Flip them into empowering beliefs. Say them out loud daily until they feel natural. The way you think about money shapes the way you make money.
STEP 3: BUILD WEALTH HABITS THAT STICK
Wealth isn’t built by one big move – it’s the result of small, consistent actions that compound over time. The difference between those who build wealth and those who stay stuck? Habits. Here are some non-negotiable millionaire habits:
● Review your finances weekly – know your numbers. Track cash flow.
● Invest consistently – even small amounts, invested smartly, add up over time.
● Surround yourself with wealth-minded people – your network influences your net worth.
● Learn about money weekly – read, listen and immerse yourself in wealth-building education.
● Make fast, confident decisions – wealthy people act and adjust; they don’t overthink forever.
Your move: Pick three wealth-building habits and commit to them for the next 90 days. Small changes, stacked consistently, will shift your financial trajectory faster than you think.
STEP 4: RAISE YOUR FINANCIAL IQ
If you want to build wealth, you have to learn how money actually works. Yet, most people are operating with a financial education that barely goes beyond “save money and don’t get into debt.” That’s not enough to create financial freedom. Raising your financial IQ means understanding the game of money, so you can stop playing defence and start playing offense. Here’s where to start:
● Learn the language of money – cash flow, assets, leverage, compounding… the more you understand these concepts, the better you can use them to your advantage.
● Study wealth-building strategies – real estate, stocks, business; learn how money grows, and then choose the strategies that align with your goals.
● Understand the power of leverage – the wealthy don’t let themselves become their own bottleneck and nor should you. Smart investors build a world-class wealth team around them.
● Get comfortable with risk – there’s no reward without risk, but the key is to take calculated risks based on knowledge, not guesswork.
Your move: Choose one financial concept you don’t fully understand and commit to learning about it this week. Read a book, listen to a podcast, or talk to someone who’s already playing the game at a high level.
STEP 5: DESIGN AN ECOSYSTEM FOR SUCCESS
Your environment plays a massive role in shaping your financial results. If you’re surrounded by people who think small, resist change, and discourage big thinking, it will be harder to elevate your mindset.
● Who do you spend the most time with?
● What financial advice do you listen to?
● Does your daily routine support wealth creation?
Millionaires set up their ecosystem to support their financial goals.
Your move: Make one environment shift today. Join a mastermind, remove negative influences, or create a space dedicated to reviewing your wealth and goals.
FINAL THOUGHT: WEALTH IS AN IDENTITY SHIFT
You won’t get rich just by wanting more money. You will only attract, build, and sustain wealth by becoming the kind of person who naturally creates wealth. It all starts with your mindset. Change the way you think about money, and the way money moves in your life will change. So, what’s your next move?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd Polke is the author of Escape the Middle, a personal escape plan to financial freedom. For over two decades, he has guided thousands of individuals in growing and scaling their wealth to achieve financial independence. Find out more at www.toddpolke.com and www.portfoliowealth.com
This is an edited extract from Escape the Middle (Wiley $32.95) by Todd Polke, out now
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