Secrets of the Millionaire Mind Wealth File #3: Committed to Being Rich vs. Wanting to Be Rich - The Mindset That Creates Wealth

So, I've written on File #1 and File #2. This right here is Wealth File #3. If you haven't read the previous posts, check out the "Money Mindset" segment of the blog and scroll through the posts. You'll find them there. You can also find the links to them at the bottom of this post after you're done reading.

In File #3, the author, T. Harv Eker, says:

Rich people are committed to being rich. Poor people want to be rich.

Before I delve into the explanation from my perspective, here's a quick look at what we'll cover:

The real difference between wanting wealth and being committed to it
Why wealth building always includes uncertainty
What commitment changes about your time and priorities
What commitment does NOT mean
A simple wish-vs-commitment audit
A 90-day proof test you can start today

Wanting Something vs Being Committed to It

There is a major difference between wanting something and being committed to it. Almost everyone wants some money at some point, but wanting wealth is often conditional. Naturally, people would love to be rich as long as it's not too difficult, not too risky, not uncomfortable, and not time consuming.

Commitment, on the other hand, is different. It means you've decided that building wealth is a serious objective. You're willing to learn, adapt, and persist when the process becomes difficult. In other words, you stick to the goal even in the face of challenges.

Why Wealth Building Always Includes Uncertainty

The distinction matters because wealth creation almost always contains periods of uncertainty.

Businesses could fail or underperform.
Investments could fluctuate.
People could reject your ideas.
Plans could change.
You could discover that a skill you thought you had isn't strong enough, or that there's little demand for it.

If you are merely interested in becoming wealthy, these experiences can make you quit. You say, "You know what? I'm tired and I'm opting out."

But if you're committed, they become information. They become data you use to navigate. You start thinking, "What can I do differently?"

If you've ever felt stuck even when you could move, The Elephant in Your Mind (Why You Don't Move Even When You Can) explains and gives clarity on why.

What Commitment Changes About Your Time

Commitment also changes how you allocate your time. You start treating financial education, relationship building, investing, business development, and personal growth as important rather than optional. You stop waiting for the perfect mood. You schedule it, protect it, and show up anyway. YOLO.

What Commitment Does Not Mean

Now, this does not mean you become obsessed with money. Not at all. Wealth is a tool. Money is a tool as well. The purpose is to create freedom, to create impact, to have choices, and to live according to your values and the things you believe in.

I also want to be honest. Commitment doesn't guarantee wealth. Luck, timing, health, family obligations, and systemic barriers are real. Eker's book is a self-help framework, not peer-reviewed research. I stand on this just as I've said it the last two parts.

What commitment does give you is the one thing you fully control: the quality and consistency of your effort. That's worth building.

The Better Question

So the key question is not, "Do I want to be rich?" Almost everybody will say yes if you ask them that.

The better questions are:

What am I willing to do consistently?
What am I willing to learn and change in order to become wealthy?

Practical Action: The Wish-vs-Commitment Audit

Compare your stated financial goals with your calendar, your spending, and your daily habits. How you spend your time shows how much you want it. Your behavior will tell you whether you have a wish or a commitment.

Try this today:

Write your goal in one sentence. Example: "Save $5,000" or "Launch my business."
Open your calendar from last week: How many hours went toward that goal?
Check your last month of spending: How much moved toward it?
Be honest about the gap: No shame. Just data.

If the answer is zero, you don't have to fret as that's not a verdict. It's just a starting line.

The 90-Day Proof Test

Pick one small action tied to your goal. Do it at the same time every day or week for 90 days. Track it on paper.

You'll learn two things. First, whether you're truly committed. Second, what's actually in the way. Both are feedback are valuable and give you better clarity.

A Real Example: The 30-Day Camera Challenge

Let me give you an example.

Many people start a 30-day consistency challenge around podcasting. They simply talk into the camera for 30 days to build confidence. They need not worry about video quality or how they performed. All that's needed is 15 to 30 minutes of freestyle talking.

Surprisingly, a good number of people fall off.

Podcasters even have a word for this: "podfade," when a show stops releasing episodes after a promising start. The exact numbers vary by dataset, but the pattern is well known. Most people who start don't stay.

That means the competition for consistency is thinner than you think.

We're all in some denial. Many of us say we are willing to put in the work, show up every day, and be consistent, come rain or come sun. But are you really willing?

I guess it's a question we all have to ask ourselves.

As usual, I welcome your feedback by email. What are you going to do differently? How are you going to stay committed and make sure you achieve your goal?

I'll be on the lookout for your emails, and I'll respond to all of them.

Next: How to Build Wealth on a Small Income: The 5 Quiet Habits

Also Read: Secrets of the Millionaire Mind Wealth File #2: How to Play the Money Game to Win

Also Read: Secrets of the Millionaire Mind Wealth File #1: How Rich People Create Their Life Instead of Waiting for It

Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal reading and opinions about the self-help book. It is for educational and inspirational purposes only and isn't financial, legal, or professional advice. The ideas in the book are the author's framework, not guaranteed outcomes.