Most people assume the ultra-rich get that way by grinding nonstop, obsessively pinching pennies, and stashing away every dollar.
But from what I’ve observed, the habits that really separate the highly successful from the rest of us aren’t about standard frugality or insane workloads.
Instead, they’re behaviors that might seem counterintuitive—some even go against what we’re usually taught about money and success.
Over time, these unconventional approaches can transform the way you build wealth, handle challenges, and position yourself in the world.
Today, let’s talk about that. Here are seven habits of the ultra-rich and successful that most people wouldn’t even think of trying.
I used to hesitate whenever I considered paying someone else to handle tasks for me—mowing the lawn, cleaning my apartment, delivering groceries. It felt lazy and, honestly, a bit indulgent.
But I noticed that a lot of ultra-rich folks take a different stance: they see time as far more precious than money.
If outsourcing a repetitive chore frees them up for higher-value activities—like brainstorming, planning a business venture, or even recharging—they see that as a worthy “investment.”
It’s a mindset shift, from asking, “How can I save money?” to “How can I create more time?”
When I finally started trying this myself—delegating smaller tasks to focus on my writing and deeper research—I was surprised at how much mental energy I saved.
It’s not just about having extra hours in the day, but also about sparing yourself from decision fatigue.
The ultra-rich treat their time like a non-renewable resource. They’re not frivolous; they’re strategic.
If your goal is to maximize impact and income, it helps to prioritize decisions and tasks that yield the highest return. Buying time allows you to direct your efforts where they matter most.
Most of us view tax season as a dreaded chore. We fill out our forms, hope for a decent refund, and grumble about how much we owe.
But the wealthy often treat taxes like a game of chess: they study the rules, plan several moves ahead, and use every legal opportunity to minimize their burden.
This might mean setting up trusts, diversifying income streams, or structuring their businesses in a particular way.
I remember being shocked the first time I heard a business mogul casually chatting about “tax strategy” as if it were a fun project. Over time, though, I’ve come to realize there’s wisdom here.
If you’re proactive about understanding how taxes work—what deductions you’re eligible for, how to plan for quarterly payments, and so forth—you can keep more of what you earn.
Warren Buffett has hinted at how the system sometimes favors those who know how to navigate it. It’s not that the ultra-rich are bypassing taxes entirely; they just learn to optimize.
And that willingness to explore the intricacies can have a ripple effect on growing and protecting wealth over the long run.
Growing up, I was taught that all debt is bad and should be eliminated ASAP.
Yet, I’ve seen a pattern among people who’ve built massive fortunes: they leverage what’s called “good debt” to multiply their investments.
Instead of viewing debt as a ball and chain, they see it as a tool—especially if it’s tied to assets that appreciate or generate income.
Real estate moguls, for instance, use mortgages to acquire properties that bring in rental income, essentially letting the asset pay for itself over time.
Of course, this doesn’t mean they run out and rack up credit card debt on shopping sprees. The key is distinguishing between productive debt (like a business loan that expands operations) and unproductive debt (like a personal loan to finance a vacation).
Once I started to understand this difference, I became more comfortable exploring opportunities I might have dismissed in the past.
Debt, in the eyes of the wealthy, isn’t always a liability; it can be a strategic resource—provided you’ve done the numbers and the venture has strong potential for returns.
You’ve probably heard phrases like “your network is your net worth,” and I’ve witnessed firsthand how some of the most successful folks take this idea to a whole new level.
They’re highly selective about who they spend time with, prioritizing people who bring positive energy, specialized knowledge, or fresh perspectives.
Tony Robbins famously points out that “proximity is power,” and I can’t think of a better phrase to sum up how the ultra-rich view their networks.
They don’t just look for wealthy or famous contacts; they seek out mentors, diverse thinkers, and future collaborators.
It’s all about recognizing that the people closest to you shape your mindset, expose you to opportunities, and sometimes open doors you wouldn’t reach on your own.
The allure of quick wins is strong for most of us. Day trading, flipping assets, and chasing the latest crypto hype can feel exciting.
But the ultra-rich, in my experience, lean heavily on long-term thinking.
They’re not looking for the next meme stock to skyrocket; they’re methodically analyzing businesses, markets, and growth trends that might pay off in five, ten, or twenty years.
It’s reminiscent of Warren Buffett’s well-known approach—he often says that if you’re not willing to own a stock for ten years, don’t even think about owning it for ten minutes.
I learned the power of patience when I tested a small, long-term investment strategy. Instead of constantly refreshing my portfolio, I left it largely untouched except for occasional rebalancing.
That’s when I realized just how freeing—and profitable—it can be not to obsess over every market hiccup.
Wealthy investors bet on fundamentals and trend lines over time, not just short-lived market excitement. And by doing so, they often sidestep the stress and emotional roller coasters that come with day-to-day speculation.
Most people stop actively learning after they graduate. They might pick up a book or two per year, watch some webinars, but generally, they’re not pushing their knowledge boundaries in a structured way.
The ultra-rich, however, often become lifelong students. They don’t just rely on formal degrees; they piece together custom learning pathways—whether it’s hiring expert coaches, attending specialized seminars, or reading voraciously about niche subjects.
It’s not unusual to see them deep in a book about psychology one day and testing out a new coding skill the next.
I was fascinated when I discovered how deeply some of these individuals dive into topics that seem unrelated to their main line of work. But it’s precisely this cross-pollination of ideas that fuels innovation.
If you can draw on insights from multiple fields, you’re better equipped to spot opportunities others can’t.
I’ve mentioned this in a previous post but the best investments I’ve ever made were in educating myself—even if it felt random or “out there” at the time. It’s a foolproof way to stay ahead of the curve and keep evolving.
At the end of the day, ultra-wealthy individuals don’t just make money; they wield influence.
This doesn’t always mean running for office or buying media outlets—though some do.
It can be as subtle as joining the board of a nonprofit, funding research, or developing close ties with policy-makers and industry leaders.
Think of it as shaping the ecosystem in which they operate. Instead of merely adapting to the rules, they’re part of the conversation about creating them.
Initially, I found the idea intimidating—who am I to influence institutions? But then I realized smaller, local efforts can also have a big impact.
Joining local advisory boards or volunteering your expertise allows you to connect with decision-makers and understand how systems function.
When you have a seat at the table, you’re in a better position to advocate for your ideas and interests.
It’s this willingness to step into broader conversations, rather than just managing your personal domain, that sets ultra-successful people apart. They don’t wait for the world to change around them; they actively participate in shaping it.
Each of these habits challenges the conventional wisdom most of us grew up with. But that’s exactly why they’re so effective.
They allow the ultra-rich to operate on a different plane, turning common hurdles into advantages and rethinking what it means to handle money and power.
I’ve tried adopting a few of these mindsets on a smaller scale, and it’s been game-changing.
The biggest takeaway is that real success isn’t just about working harder or hoarding resources—it’s about reconfiguring your outlook and your habits.
When you shift your perspective on time, education, or even taxes, you open up a world of possibilities most people don’t even see.
The post 7 unique habits of the ultra-rich and successful (that most people never even consider) appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
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