28 Things That Keep You Poor (and How to Break Free)

Amandine S’iita
Jul 16
5 min read

Inspired by Alex Hormozi’s “28 Rules for Success”

We all say we want success, but what if the real reason we’re stuck isn’t a lack of talent or opportunity — it’s our habits?

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “Why am I not further ahead?”

You’ve got ambition. You work hard. You might even read the right books, watch motivational videos, and set goals every January. And yet… you feel like you’re still spinning your wheels. Frustrated. Tired. Watching others get ahead while you stay in the same place, asking yourself, “What am I doing wrong?”

The truth? It’s probably not your lack of potential — it’s your habits.

Not the obvious ones, like sleeping in or skipping workouts.It’s the subtle, self-sabotaging patterns you repeat every day without even noticing.

In this eye-opening video, Alex Hormozi breaks down 28 hidden behaviors that silently keep most people poor, stuck, and average, no matter how badly you say you want success. These aren’t just bad habits. They’re mental scripts, emotional crutches, and belief systems designed to keep you safe — but in reality, they keep you small.

This isn’t a list of quick tips or shallow motivation.

This is a WAKE-UP CALL.

If you’re ready to stop being stuck and start building real, lasting success — read on.

Here’s a deep dive into those 28 traps — and how to flip them if you’re ready to escape the cycle of self-sabotage.

1. Stop Waiting for the “Right Time”

What keeps you poor: You start tomorrow. Then again tomorrow. And again…

Flip it: Start today. Even a small imperfect step beats a perfect idea stuck in your head.

2. Don’t Just Read — Apply

What keeps you poor: You keep reading books and listening to podcasts, but you never apply what you learn.

Flip it: Learning without action is entertainment. Apply one thing today.

3. Take Advice from Winners, Not Whiners

What keeps you poor: You listen to broke, bitter, or unqualified people.

Flip it: Seek mentors who’ve done what you want to do. Proven paths leave clues.

4. Choose a Partner Who Supports the Mission

What keeps you poor: You’re with someone who guilts you for working hard.

Flip it: Build with someone who believes in the vision and pushes you to win.

5. Redefine Failure

What keeps you poor: You fail once and quit forever.

Flip it: Failure is feedback. Use it to get better, not bitter.

6. Let Go of the Idea that Life is Fair

What keeps you poor: You expect fairness and feel cheated.

Flip it: Accept the game. Win anyway. Focus on what you can control.

7. Don’t Play Victim

What keeps you poor: You blame your past, parents, or problems.

Flip it: Take full ownership. Your life is your responsibility now.

8. Complaining is a Poverty Habit

What keeps you poor: You spend all day complaining, but you never take action to change your situation.

Flip it: Trade complaints for creative solutions.

9. Nobody’s Coming to Save You

What keeps you poor: You wait for a miracle, a handout, or “the system.”

Flip it: Be your own rescue mission. Self-reliance builds real freedom.

10. Stop Living for Other People’s Opinions

What keeps you poor: You care more about what others think than what you truly want.

Flip it: Trust your gut. Build the life you want.

11. Discomfort Is the Door to Growth

What keeps you poor: You avoid the hard stuff and stay in your comfort zone.

Flip it: Learn to get comfortable in uncomfortable situations—that’s where real growth begins.

12. Don’t Tolerate Mediocrity (In You or Others)

What keeps you poor: You settle for “good enough.”

Flip it: Demand excellence. Raise your standards.

13. Keep Your Word

What keeps you poor: You make promises you don’t keep.

Flip it: Keep your word — to others and to yourself. Integrity builds trust and momentum.

14. Perfectionism is Procrastination in Disguise

What keeps you poor: You wait for the perfect plan, day, or idea.

Flip it: Done is better than perfect. Start now, refine as you go.

15. Stop Trying to Look Rich

What keeps you poor: You like to show off with what you don't have; You spend more than you earn.

Flip it: Invest in things that grow in value — not things that just look good on Instagram.

16. Focus on What Actually Matters

What keeps you poor: You stay busy, not productive. Don’t mistake motion for progress.

Flip it: Prioritize high-impact actions — the ones that actually move you forward.

17. Follow Through

What keeps you poor: You say you’ll do something, then ghost.

Flip it: Finish what you start. Consistency builds credibility — and results.

18. Don’t Just Copy the Crowd

What keeps you poor: You do what everyone else is doing.

Flip it: Think different. Be bold enough to stand out.

19. Do You "Best"

What keeps you poor: You stop at “I tried.”

Flip it: Do what you’re called to do. You’re equipped for it — otherwise, the vision wouldn’t be in your heart. Believe in yourself.

20. Less Talk. More Do.

What keeps you poor: You talk big but act small.

Flip it: Let your actions be louder than your posts.

21. Finish What You Start

What keeps you poor: You're constantly distracted by the next shiny thing.

Flip it: Focus, stick with one thing long enough to see the results and win.

22. Define Yourself for Yourself

What keeps you poor: You believe other people’s opinions of you.

Flip it: Build an unshakable self-image based on action, not approval.

23. Make New Mistakes, Not Old Ones

What keeps you poor: You repeat the same bad choices.

Flip it: Learn the lesson. Then level up.

24. Be Irreplaceable

What keeps you poor: You have no unique skill, no leverage.

Flip it: Get so good they can’t ignore you.

25. Keep Doing What Works

What keeps you poor: You find something that works, then stop.

Flip it: Double down on what’s working. Don’t sabotage your own momentum.

26. Build a Smart Team

What keeps you poor: You hire people who can’t grow with you.

Flip it: Hire hungry, smart, driven people. The team is the multiplier.

27. Stay Humble and Curious

What keeps you poor: You think you already know everything.

Flip it: Stay teachable. Pride kills progress.

28. Live Below Your Means

What keeps you poor: You spend more than you earn.

Flip it: Build wealth by stacking — not leaking — your income.

Your Breakthrough Is on the Other Side of Brutal Honesty

Success isn’t about luck, talent, or timing. It’s about choices. Small, daily decisions that either build your future — or quietly destroy it.

Hormozi’s message is brutally honest: Most people stay poor not because of external limitations, but because they refuse to face their internal patterns.They delay action, chase comfort, stay stuck in mediocrity, and repeat mistakes. And then they wonder why nothing changes.

But here’s the good news: You can flip the script. Right now.

You don’t need to change everything overnight.You just need to become radically honest with yourself.Start by identifying the habits that no longer serve you — and replace them with the habits that build wealth, resilience, and real freedom.