9 things rich people do and don't do every day

What you do today matters.

In fact, your daily habits may be a major determinant of your wealth.
"The metaphor I like is the avalanche," says Thomas Corley, the author of "Rich
Habits: The Daily Success Habits Of Wealthy Individuals." "These habits are like
snowflakes
they build up, and then you have an avalanche of success."
Corley spent five years studying the lives of both rich people (defined as havin
g an annual income of $160,000 or more and a liquid net worth of $3.2 million or
more) and poor people (defined as having an annual income of $35,000 or less an
d a liquid net worth of $5,000 or less).
He managed to segment out what he calls "rich habits" and "poverty habits," mean
ing the tendencies of those who fit in each group. But, Corley explains, everyon
e has some rich habits and some poverty habits. "The key is to get more than 50%
to be rich habits," he says.
And what are those rich habits that are so influential? Here are a few:
Rich people
"I focus on
Rich people
Poor people

always keep their goals in sight.

my goals every day."
who agree: 62%
who agree: 6%

Not only do wealthy people set annual and monthly goals, but 67% of them put tho
se goals in writing. "It blew me away," says Corley. "I thought a goal was a bro
ad objective, but the wealthy said a wish is not a goal." A goal is only a goal,
he says, if it has two things: It's achievable, and there's a physical action y
ou can take to pursue it.
And they know what needs to be done today.
"I maintain a daily to-do list."
Rich people who agree: 81%
Poor people who agree: 19%
Not only do the wealthy keep to-do lists, but 67% of them complete 70% or more o
f those listed tasks each day.
They don't watch TV.
"I watch TV one hour or less per day."
Rich people who agree: 67%
Poor people who agree: 23%
Similarly, only 6% of the wealthy watch reality shows, compared to 78% of the po
or. "The common variable among the wealthy is how they make productive use of th
eir time," explains Corley. "They wealthy are not avoiding watching TV because t
hey have some superior human discipline or willpower. They just don't think abou
t watching much TV because they are engaged in some other habitual daily behavio
r reading."
They read
but not for fun.
"I love reading."
Rich people who agree: 86%
Poor people who agree: 26%
Sure, rich people love reading, but they favor nonfiction
in particular, self-im
provement books. "The rich are voracious readers on how to improve themselves,"

says Corley. In fact, 88% of them read for self-improvement for 30 minutes each
day, compared to 2% of poor people.
Plus, they're big into audio books.
"I listen to audio books during the commute to work."
Rich people who agree: 63%
Poor people who agree: 5%
Even if you aren't into audiobooks, you can make the most of your commute with a
ny of these commute-friendly self-improvement activities.
They make a point of going above and beyond at the office.
"I do more than my job requires."
Rich people who agree: 81%
Poor people who agree: 17%
It's worth noting that while 86% of rich people (compared to 43% of poor) work a
n average of 50 or more hours a week, only 6% of the wealthy people surveyed fou
nd themselves unhappy because of work.
They aren't
"I play the
Rich people
Poor people

hoping to win the jackpot.

lottery regularly."
who agree: 6%
who agree: 77%

That's not to say that the wealthy are always playing it safe with their money.
"Most of these people were business owners who put their own money on the table
and took financial risks," explains Corley. "People like this aren't afraid to t
ake risks."
They watch their waistline.
"I count calories every day."
Rich people who agree: 57%
Poor people who agree: 5%
Wealthy people value their health, says Corley. "One of the individuals in my st
udy was about 68 and worth about $78 million. I asked why he didn't retire, and
he looked at me like I was from Mars. He said, 'I've spent the last 45 years exe
rcising every single day and watching what I eat because I knew the end of my ca
reer would be my biggest earning years.' If he can extend his career four to fiv
e years beyond everyone else, that's about $7 million for him."
And they take care of their smiles.
"I floss every day."
Rich people who agree: 62%
Poor people who agree: 16%