The 10 Rich Habits by Tom Corley — The Complete List
The complete list of Tom Corley's 10 Rich Habits Promises, drawn from his 5-year study of 233 self-made millionaires. Each habit explained with research and actionable steps.
Tom Corley's Rich Habits Study
Between 2004 and 2009, Tom Corley — a CPA and certified financial planner from New Jersey — conducted one of the most detailed studies ever on the daily activities of wealthy people. He interviewed 233 self-made millionaires (each with at least $160,000 in annual gross income and $3.2 million in net assets) and 128 people living in poverty (under $35,000 in annual income, under $5,000 in liquid assets). The result was a list of 10 daily promises that wealthy people live by.
Promise 1: I Will Form Good Daily Habits
The foundation of every other promise. Corley found that 95% of what we do each day is habitual. Wealthy people are intentional about identifying bad habits and systematically replacing them with good ones. They don't rely on willpower — they build systems. This is why tracking daily habits is so powerful: awareness is the first step to change.
Promise 2: I Will Set Goals Every Day
67% of wealthy people write down their goals. Not vague wishes — specific, measurable targets for the day, the month, the year, and the long term. Daily goal-setting keeps you aligned with your bigger vision and prevents the drift that comes from living reactively. In Rich Habits, this maps to the Dreams and Goals system that turns your long-term vision into daily action.
Promise 3: I Will Engage in Self-Improvement Every Day
88% of wealthy people read for at least 30 minutes a day for self-education. Not news. Not social media. Books, audiobooks, and articles about their industry, personal development, or biographies of successful people. They also listen to educational podcasts during commutes and attend seminars. Growth is not optional — it's a daily appointment.
Promise 4: I Will Devote Time to Caring for My Health
76% of wealthy people exercise aerobically at least 30 minutes per day, four days per week. They understand that health is the foundation that makes everything else possible. They also pay attention to nutrition — limiting junk food (70% eat fewer than 300 junk food calories per day) and controlling alcohol consumption.
Promise 5: I Will Devote Time to Forming Lifelong Relationships
Wealthy people are intentional networkers. 68% network at least 5 hours per month. But it's not transactional — they call to congratulate, send thank-you notes, remember birthdays, and show up for others. They volunteer, they mentor, and they maintain relationships even when there's nothing immediate to gain.
Promise 6: I Will Live Each Day in a State of Moderation
Wealthy people live below their means. They avoid extremes — in spending, eating, drinking, working, and even talking. They understand that excess in any area creates imbalance. They save before they spend, invest consistently, and avoid lifestyle inflation. 73% of self-made millionaires were taught the value of moderation by their parents.
Promise 7: I Will Accomplish My Daily Tasks — A “Do It Now” Mindset
81% of wealthy people maintain a daily to-do list. More importantly, they complete at least 70% of the items on it. They don't procrastinate on difficult tasks. They tackle the hardest thing first. This bias toward action prevents small tasks from snowballing and builds a reputation for reliability.
Promise 8: I Will Engage in Rich Thinking Every Day
Wealthy people guard their thoughts. 80% focus on achieving a specific goal every day. They practice positive self-talk, visualize success, and actively reject negative thinking. When they catch themselves dwelling on problems, they redirect to solutions. This isn't toxic positivity — it's a deliberate mental discipline.
Promise 9: I Will Save 10% of My Gross Income Every Paycheck
This is the financial cornerstone. Wealthy people pay themselves first — not 10% of what's left over, but 10% of their gross income before taxes and expenses. They automate savings, invest consistently, and let compound interest work in their favor. Many of Corley's millionaires started with modest incomes but built wealth through decades of disciplined saving.
Promise 10: I Will Control My Thoughts and Emotions Every Day
Emotional discipline separates those who build wealth from those who sabotage it. 81% of wealthy people control their emotions, especially anger and frustration. They pause before reacting, think before speaking, and understand that uncontrolled emotions damage relationships, career prospects, and decision-making. Practices like meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises help maintain this control.
Putting the 10 Promises Into Practice
Knowing the list is the easy part. Living it daily is the challenge. Rich Habits was built specifically for this — organize your habits across six life realms (Health, Wealth, Relationships, Career, Growth, and Mindset), check them off daily, track your streaks, and watch your Rich Habits Score reflect your consistency. Start with the promises that resonate most and build from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 rich habits?
Tom Corley's 10 Rich Habits are: (1) Form good daily habits, (2) Set daily goals, (3) Engage in self-improvement, (4) Care for your health, (5) Form lifelong relationships, (6) Live in moderation, (7) Accomplish daily tasks, (8) Engage in rich thinking, (9) Save 10% of gross income, (10) Control your thoughts and emotions.
Who is Tom Corley?
Tom Corley is a CPA, certified financial planner, and author who conducted a 5-year study of 233 self-made millionaires and 128 people living in poverty. His research identified the daily habits that separate the wealthy from the poor.
What book are the rich habits from?
Tom Corley published his findings in 'Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals' (2010) and the follow-up 'Change Your Habits, Change Your Life' (2016).
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