Sure, like it could be reduced to something that can be explained in an article.
But author Tom Corley examined hundreds of self-made millionaires using an extensive questionnaire he developed and found there are commonalities, including three foundational principles.
“The first and number one habit of self-made millionaires is that they pursue their own dream,” he says. That might seem self-evident, but it’s worth taking a beat to look at your job. Are you living your dream?
“The second most important rich habit is engaging in daily self-improvement,” Corley advises. They are voracious readers and invest in their own self-education throughout life.
The third principle is optimism. A positive attitude is critical to withstanding the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and they will come. People who withstand them, smiling, have a better chance of amassing millions of dollars.
Genetics and education, he found, do not play the predictive role you might expect. Only 21% were “A” students in school. In fact, most self-made millionaires averaged C’s. 59% came from middle-class backgrounds, and 41% came from poverty.