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TOM@RICHHABITS.NET
I love the Joe Rogan podcast because Rogan cuts through all of the noise with his straight talk and common sense logic. You can learn a lot just from listening to his podcast.
Some of the things I’ve learned from the Rogan podcast align with much of my Rich Habits research.
Here’s some of the topics he’s covered that align with my research:
1. You’re Addicted to Instant Gratification
The wealthy play the long game. My research shows 76% of millionaires dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to planning their goals, while only 7% of the poor do the same. Poor people chase instant dopamine hits—scrolling X for hours, binge-watching shows, or buying stuff they don’t need.
Sound familiar?
Every time you choose Netflix over learning a new skill or impulse-buy that shiny gadget, you’re trading your future for a fleeting high.
Joe Rogan talks about this all the time: discipline is freedom. Millionaires aren’t smarter; they’re just willing to delay gratification. Try this: swap one hour of social media for reading a book on investing. It’s not sexy, but it’s a start.
2. You Hang Out with Losers
Harsh? Maybe. But your social circle shapes your wallet. My studies found 86% of wealthy people surround themselves with success-oriented peers—mentors, entrepreneurs, or go-getters. Meanwhile, 96% of poor people stick with friends who reinforce bad habits: complaining, overspending, or dreaming without doing.
If your buddies are always broke, always negative, or always “waiting for the right moment,” they’re dragging you down. Jordan Peterson hammered this point on his Joe Rogan interview: you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Audit your crew. Are they pushing you to level up, or are they anchors?
3. You Think Education Ends at Graduation
The rigged system sold you a lie: get a degree, get a job, get rich. Wrong. My research shows 88% of millionaires commit to daily self-education—reading, podcasts, or courses—while only 26% of the poor did this. The wealthy don’t rely on a diploma; they’re obsessed with learning skills that pay. Rogan’s always riffing on learning new things and expanding your knowledge. He’s constantly diving into new ideas, from psychedelics to fitness. If you’re not learning something new every day, you’re falling behind. Pick up a book like Rich Habits or The Millionaire Next Door or listen to a finance podcast. Knowledge compounds faster than interest.
4. You’re Allergic to Risk
Here’s a stat that’ll wake you up: 65% of millionaires in my study took calculated risks—like starting a side hustle or investing early—while only 11% of the poor did. Poor people play it safe, clinging to dead-end jobs or avoiding the stock market because “it’s too risky.” Newsflash: staying comfortable is the biggest risk.
Rogan’s talked about this with guys like Elon Musk—wealth comes from stepping into the unknown. You don’t need to bet your life savings, but start small: invest $100 in a low-cost index fund or pitch a freelance gig. Risk builds resilience, and resilience builds wealth.
5. You’re Wasting Your Mornings
Mornings set the tone for your life. My data shows 70% of millionaires wake up at least three hours before work to exercise, plan, or learn, while only 3% of the poor do. If you’re hitting snooze until the last second, scrolling X over coffee, or rushing out the door, you’re starting your day in chaos.
Rogan’s a beast about this—he’s up early, hitting the sauna or working out, setting his mind right. Try waking up 30 minutes earlier for a week. Use that time to journal your goals or hit the gym. Small changes compound into big wins.
The Brutal Truth
Here’s the kicker: wealth isn’t about luck or privilege—it’s about habits. My research shows the rich and poor aren’t that different in intelligence or opportunity. The difference is what they do daily. The poor waste time, avoid risk, and surround themselves with negativity.
The rich? They grind, learn, and choose their circle wisely. It’s not fair, and it’s not easy to hear. But if you’re stuck, it’s not the economy or your boss—it’s you.
Don’t like that? Good. Let it piss you off enough to change. Start with one habit: cut an hour of screen time, read 10 pages of a financial book, or ditch that one friend who’s always whining or creating havoc in your life.
Wealth isn’t a mystery; it’s a choice.
Stop choosing poverty or mediocrity?
Tom Corley is an accountant, financial planner and author of “Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life”, Effort-Less Wealth, Change Your Habits Change Your Life, Rich Habits Poor Habits and “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals.”
Outstanding article Tom. I read these every time you pump them out. I’ve been reading your work for years and am a huge fan of your Rich Habits research. Couldn’t agree more with this article.
Tom, thanks for today’s post. My favorite part is “Don’t like that? Good. Let it piss you off enough to change.” Knee jerk words that need to be said and change us. I agree with your post. What book(s) are you reading now?
I wonder how many hours you spend per week volunteering with people in the inner city? Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I guarantee that if you were asked to live in a poor neighborhood, with no money, no education, and zero resources, you would not have these opinions.
As a Christian, with conservative values, and having been born into white privilege, I can see very plainly why my advantages in life are directly correlated to my upbringing.
Our formative years shape us. Our upbringing shapes us. Our neighborhoods shape us. And decades of encouraging the same neural pathways, eventually leads to identities that make it next to impossible to rewrite our thinking. And how is a person to rewrite their identity without proper guidance?
I volunteer weekly in a Salvation Army men’s shelter, once monthly in two other homeless shelters, and twice monthly with a disability organization. This is my minimum. And I don’t tell you this to make myself sound important. I tell you this because it’s my minimum. My minimum as a follower of Christ is to get my hands dirty. Not to sit in the ivory tower God has blessed me with and spout off opinions while my hands stay clean.
Conservative America is a cancer, and its root is self righteousness.
My “White Privilege” was invisible to me most of my life. I had to work for 4 years as a Janitor, in order to pay for college. Realtors & the Tax Assessor did not seem to care about my “White Privilege when they put my family home in foreclosure; a home with 11 family members, 8 of which were children. My college did not care about my “White Privilege” when it came time to pay college tuition. I grew up poor and fought like Hell to escape Poverty. If I can do it, everyone s/b able to do it. And my mission is to teach poor people how. And to stop listening to enablers like you