Lewis Howes: I Was 4 Months From Broke, Here's What Changed

irrelevant of whether you have money or. not. When you are poor, when you're. broke, when you're struggling. financially, it feels really hard to. feel abundant and rich. But in order to. get out of it, it's not feeling worse. about it. It's starting to feel better. about me, better about my values, my. character, my kindness, my generosity, and seeing how can I add value to. others. How can I get into a richness. inside of me to serve and take care of. me at the same time. The number one. health and wellness podcast. Jay Shetty.

Jay Shetty. The one, the only Jay. Shetty. The world in which we're living today. doesn't seem to distribute wealth in a. way that allows people to access it. Some people have been set up really. badly. They had poor access to. education, they didn't really know what. jobs were available. People are working. really, really hard and not taking that. much home. People are coming at it from. a place of pain, of desperation, of. stress. So everyone already knows that.

money is stressful. And your first point. here is make money easy. Yes. And so I want to ask you, when. someone's coming at money, our. relationship with money is already at a. place, it's kind of like finding love. We're desperate for it, we're stressed. by it, we're paralyzed by it, we feel. the pressure for it. What do you do when. you're feeling all of that? What's the. first thing you need to do? Step one is. you need awareness. And again, you. probably say this so often and people. probably heard this so frequently, but. if you don't have awareness on your.

attachment style towards money and how. your nervous system is when you receive. money or when money leaves you. When you. have to pay your bills or give money. away. I want people to create just a scenario. of awareness around how you feel and how. you think when you receive money, when. you pay money, when you look at your. bank account, when you open your purse. or your wallet, and just notice how do I. feel? Mhm. Do I have shallow breathing? Do I. feel relaxed? Do I feel anxious? Do I.

feel scarce? Do I feel abundant? Just. step one is have awareness on how do I. feel and how do I think about my money? The money I have, the money that's. coming in, and the money that's going. out. Yeah. That's step one. And when you. can just have awareness around it, you. can start to say, is my relationship the. one that I want to be having? Do I feel. really secure around money? If not, okay, what's something I can think. about? First, let me think about my. money story.

The story of my life around money. We. grow up as kids and we. watch our parents. in their relationship. We tend to. develop the relationship style of our. parents unless we learn how to heal as a. teenager and have some type of. breakthrough. We're creating some type of attachment. style based on what we see with our. parents. But think about all the. conversations your parents had around. money. And if your parents didn't have a. secure relationship, if they fought, did. they fight about money? Were you. involved in the conversation about how.

expensive things were? About your school. or sports or programs that they had to. pay for they couldn't afford. Did they. argue? Did they have challenges? Did. they get divorced? Money is one of the biggest reasons. people get divorced. It's one of the. biggest arguments in marriage as well. So just notice, is my nervous system, is. my body, is my energy, are my thoughts. stressed out around money? Do I feel. scarce or do I feel abundant? That's kind of step one and then step. two is understanding your money story.

Because when you can reflect on your. money story, you can see what your money. personality style is today. And for many years. and we can talk about both of us. thinking about our past. For many years. I didn't understand money growing up. We. didn't have a lot growing up. We weren't. completely poor, but. I wasn't as, you know, well off as the. other kids in my class. So, I always. felt a little bit beneath everyone else. And so, my belief system was around. that. I'm was just a little bit under. everyone else. Everyone else is doing a. little bit better than us.

Sure, we have a home and I'm going to. school, but everyone's got rollerblades, I'm in sneakers. People have Nintendo, I. don't have one. I'm reading a book. Whatever it is. It was like I was a. little bit beneath. And that started to. shape my story, my personality style. So, I felt very insecure around money. And when I got it, I got really excited, but I didn't know what to do with it. So, I was also like afraid, I was. insecure, and I was just unsure of it. And it really started to shape my. personality style. Now, when I was in my. teen years, my dad started to make more.

money and started teach me a little bit, but I was still like just I want to be a. teenager. I don't want to think about. this stuff. It seems confusing. I just. want to have fun. In my 20s, when I got done playing. football, I I went to go pursue. football, got injured, and I was on my. sister's couch for a year and a half, and I had no money. And I just felt. like, how am I going to make this work? How am I going to make money? I don't. know what my skills are. I don't know. what my talents are. This is in 2008. when the economy was crashing, so it. kind of felt like it is right now with.

inflation going up so much right now, and people worried about money in the. future. I didn't understand. And I needed to find money mentors to. start teaching me how to learn about how. I can receive money and spend it in a. more efficient way. And that was kind of the journey of me. starting to figure this out. But, if we. don't have the tools or the money. knowledge, they're always going to be. stuck in our money story as our money. personality style. And so, it's getting. to understand awareness. How does it.

feel when I receive money and I spend. money? Yeah. What is the history of the. story around money for me? Did my. parents fight? Did I feel anxious around. money? Uh I used to steal a lot when I was a. kid, so I had like some wounds around. money. I had people steal from me as. well. So, I just had all these different. wounds that I had to address and get. clear on. And I had to learn how to start healing. those money wounds. And again, I know. this is the place to come to create more. wholeness, to be healthier in your life, and to become more healed. And that's.

what I want for people to start to. reflect on their money story. Yeah. Write down some of these things so you. have awareness first off on why you. think and feel the way you do around. money. Yeah. Then you can start to see. how your personality style towards money. now is either helping you create more. abundance or keeping you in scarcity and. lack. And from there, we can start to. have some breakthroughs. Yeah, let's. talk about all three because as I'm. listening to you, I'm thinking that for. most of us, when we get aware, we actually realize.

we don't even want to look at our. finances. No. Right? That's how we all feel. because we're so scared and there's been. such a fear built around money that it's. like, I don't even want to know because. I'm so scared. Now, when I get my. paycheck, I'm thinking, "Oh God, I hope. this covers my rent, my groceries, my. bills, whatever else I've got to cover.". And then that becomes your stress point. And then you're thinking, "Oh gosh, I I. haven't got enough to spend on this. thing that I really wanted to do or I. wanted to do something for my kids or.

whatever it may be." So, now they're. stressed. And so, I think for most. people when you actually get awareness, you start realizing it's stress. And. it's never enough. And it's never. enough. making enough and also I've got 100,000. in student loan debt. I have this other. credit card cuz I wanted to go on a trip. or I had a medical expense that was. unexpected that came up like so many. people are struggling to be figuring out. how to get out of debt. They have this. weight that's carrying them back, but. they still want to feel like they're. free to live a life of their dreams. Yeah. They want to be able to go on a.

trip with a friend a few times a year. They want to go to those expensive. concerts. They want to have fun still, but they're unfortunately in a lot of. debt. So, there's something that's. pulling them back as they're trying to. go forward and they feel like there's no. way to break free. They think about the. rising cost of eggs, the inflation, how. everything is just constant you can't. afford a home anymore. All these things. seem impossible to break through. But people want to feel free, but they don't feel emotionally free. because of all the baggage they have in. their life.

And that's what I want people to start. to feel is how can you feel emotionally. free. so that your money can come to you. effortlessly? And when it leaves you, it's not a bad thing. Yeah. The more we. relax, the more we can receive. And so if I'm tight and I'm always. anxious, or I'm not willing to look at. my bank account cuz I'm afraid of what's. in there, how are we able to receive more. and spend more freely? And I think for many years, I was able to I learned how to make.

money, but I didn't learn how to spend money. And so I just hoarded it cuz I was. afraid to go back being broke on my. sister's couch. I didn't want to be. broke again. So I just stashed it away. into my bank account and just like, "Okay, I'm going to just wait for it to. grow so I feel safe.". But that was almost like a prison in a. sense emotionally because I didn't feel. free to spend it. I was still sleeping. on friends' couches. I had a million. dollars in the bank and I was sleeping. on friends' couches. I was sitting in. the middle seat, the cheapest seat I. could on buses or on planes. And I'd.

always be like, "Man, I'm so. uncomfortable the next day like I'm my. back hurts. Like I'm just I'm not. feeling free cuz I was afraid. I was. anxious to lose money.". And that is not emotional freedom. That. is not healing. And I remember thinking. to myself, "God, I've got to I'm. starting to make money." It was like. years into my business. I was like, "I'm. financially free, but I'm still. trapped.". "What is holding me back?" And I. realized a lot of it was my money story. and my money personality style that I.

needed to start working on. And I don't. know if it's the thing that you ever. like, "I've arrived and I'm perfect and. now I'm like this Zen master at money, it's a constant back to awareness. It's. a constant practice of awareness and. breaking through those limitations. Yeah, I think what I'm thinking about. when I'm hearing you is if me and you. went back to a place in our life where. we really didn't have money. And you think about someone who's in. that position who's listening to us. right now. And in their head they're thinking, but. how do I.

become abundant when I don't have Well, like my natural thing is like I'm just. struggling to pay my next bill. And me. and you have both been in those. situations. I remember when I was. growing up, I grew up in a house where. we had just enough. Like that was the. language my parents used. We have just. enough. And my parents would often argue about. money. I remember I wasn't allowed to. buy cool shoes and stuff. I'd have like. the the knockoff cheapest brand from. whatever, which was I actually didn't. have an issue with that. I didn't have. an issue with with any of it because we. had food and that was my normality. But.

it's really interesting because the. amount of times growing up I started. working when I was 14. And I think that gave me a really. interesting sense of how hard it was to. make money because I started working at. 14. I used to get paid £2 per street. that I delivered newspapers on. So. imagine there's a hundred houses, it's. going to take me like. Not per house? No, no, no. Per street. Per street. So I did five streets and so. I'd get £10 at the end of the week if I.

did five streets. And each street would. take me at least an hour. Maybe I don't. know, something like that. And so I'd. walk around, I'd pull this thing and I'd. deliver it. And I got an understanding. of how hard it was to make money. But then that became a story for me. going to your point. Making money is hard. Making money is hard. Mhm. And that there's only a certain. amount of money you're allowed to make. at this level. Like you're a. 14-year-old. Then I worked in retail, I. stacked shelves at a grocery store. I.

worked at a store called Morrisons, which is like working at Walmart. And there I remember I got paid like £5. an hour. And then you get like time and. a half if you work the weekends and the. evenings. All of this to say that I probably spent. my whole life only seeing zero in my. bank account. Because everything that. would come in would pay for my phone. bill, my car insurance that I paid for, whatever it was that I was taking care. of so I wasn't relying on my parents, apart from I lived in their home. obviously. But I always felt like money came in,

money went out. And my story around. money was people who have money are. doing something bad. So I lived in a. home whenever we went to a friend's home. and they had a nice home, my family. would always say, "Oh yeah, but they do. dodgy stuff to make money." All the. language around money was people with. money are doing bad stuff. So in my head. it was like, "Oh, if you have money then. you must be doing shady stuff because we. don't have money and we're not doing any. shady stuff.". You must be hurting people to make. money. Correct. In some way. Exploiting. Yeah,

taking advantage, whatever. So. everything you're saying is so true. Because then when I got to a point in my. life where I was just trying to do good. and I had something like 150, 200. million views on content. And you had no money. I was 4 months away from being broke. I met you at this time. you around this time. you at this time, yes. And it was really interesting to me. because that was the time that I was. actually doing this work, which is why. this book is so powerful because I. realized that I couldn't even with 150,

200 million views, it wasn't that that. made money because my story and my. personality style was anxious, I felt. like it was wrong to make money. Like. that's actually what it was. I felt like. making money was bad. And so until I got to that Did you. believe you were worthy of making more. money? I believed I was worthy, but I. believed that you had to be bad to make. money. Wow. So you didn't want to be. bad, you didn't want to have a lot of. money and associate I have a lot of. money and I'm now I'm bad.

Correct. I'm bad and wrong and I'm hurting others. in order to tell myself. Cuz good people are poor. Wow. Right? Like to be a good person of good. character means to not have money. Wow. And that was based on a a belief system. that you developed over time. That I. didn't even know. Like if you would have. told me about this 8 years ago, I'd have. been like, I don't know. Which is why I. think these reflections are so important. people. If you're stressed, if you're. overwhelmed, if you're anxious, if. you're constantly in drama, that is not. abundance.

A high net worth does not mean you are. free. Money is an energy and how we. think and how we feel will dictate the. energy we have towards it. When you have. no money, when you're broke, when you. feel stressed out, overwhelmed, burnt. out, you lost your job, you feel like. you need help. And you may need help. And the best way to create abundance. is to go from helplessness to. helpfulness. So, when you're in that place, taking.

your story as well, taking my story, how. do we start to rewrite that story now. that we're aware? What's so powerful. that you said that and I remember this. vividly because I met you on Halloween. 2017, right? 8 years ago, yeah. And. we I said like, "Cancel the day. Let's. just hang out all day." Yeah, you had a. book coming out that day. book that came out that day on. Halloween. Yeah. Which is called the. Mask and Masculinity. Anyways, how do we. rewire our brain around money to create. more abundance? When you have nothing.

When you have lack. How do we rewire our. brain to create abundance when you have. nothing and you don't know how to earn. more money? The first thing I think you. need to be aware of is that your beliefs. dictate your behaviors. So, if you. believe that money is bad or people who. make a lot of money are bad and take. advantage of others. And therefore, me. having lack right now means I'm a good. person. And I don't want to become a bad. person. Then that belief is going to. dictate your behaviors, and you're going. to stay in lack. You're going to stay in.

scarcity, and you're going to see. opportunities that only give you just. enough, as opposed to opportunities that. could create incredible wealth for. yourself financially, but also an. emotional wealth that you've never had. before. So, that's one of the things you want to. understand. It's first that your beliefs. dictate your behaviors. That's a big one, by the way. That's. huge. Like that I just want to point. that out for people. Like that's so. huge. Because your belief Your belief got you. to a place of I am impacting hundreds of. millions of people from these these. videos that I created with my talents.

But I don't know how to make money with. them, and I don't know if I actually. should because then I could be bad and. wrong, or people could perceive me as I. did something bad to make this money. And I'm a spiritual person, I'm a monk, I've done all these things. I don't want. to have that life. But I want to make an. impact, and I don't want to be poor. So, I think a lot of people are struggling. with that mindset. What are the other ones you hear? What. are the other Focusing on that beliefs. sphere. What are you hearing from people. about that That's my belief, and that's. very much my history and story, as you.

said. What other stuff do you hear from. people? The biggest shift that will. create abundance in your life. is a mindset habit in unlocking wealth. for yourself. And one of the big lies, or one of the big blocks that holds. people back from financial opportunity, is that I I cannot be generous with my. time, my wisdom, my knowledge, or my. secrets to others, cuz if I am, they. will take it and run with it, and I will.

be left with nothing. So, therefore, I'm. going to hoard my energy, I'm going to. hoard my time, my knowledge, and only. keep it to me so that others don't have. good ideas or have my help. And from all. the different billionaires and. millionaires and financial leaders in. the world that I've interviewed, I know. you've interviewed a lot of them. There is a question I would always ask. individuals who've made incredible. amounts of money. and that keeps helping them create more. wealth year after year.

And they all say the same thing, those. who have had a sustainably good heart in. the process, is that you have to have a generous. mindset. So, the mindset habit is the. first thing that you have to think about. when creating abundance with your money, but also feeling abundant internally. And it's coming with generosity. So, if. you feel like you're stuck right now, if. you feel like you have nothing, this is. what you were at 8 years ago when I met. you, this is where I was at 15 years ago. when I was on my sister's couch. I had. no money. I was in student loan debt,

was sleeping on her couch. I didn't. think I had any skills. I didn't have a. college degree yet. I was like, how am I. going to make money if I don't know how. to make money and I don't have any. talent or skill and I'm in debt. I. didn't understand it. It felt. impossible. And the thing that I shifted when I. started to meet money mentors, is I. needed to learn the first habit, which. is the mindset habit, which is a habit. of generosity and gratitude. So, what did that look like then? What. was the practical step? What it looked like was, how do I meet. money people? People who have money,

people who have success, people can. teach me knowledge. I needed to come. with a sense of energy, of curiosity, of. possibilities and of joy. I literally wrote a list down of all. these different things that I thought. were my talents. I go, how can I make. money? I don't have any skills. I played. football and now I'm injured. What can I. do for people? But I was like, well, I'm really. curious. Maybe I can just ask people. questions. And never did I think in a. million years that I could have a. 12-year-old podcast just asking. questions and make millions of dollars a. year. I never thought that was possible.

I was in my early 20s and I was like, you know what? I've got a lot of energy. I've got a lot of passion. So, let me. bring passion and energy to other people. and excitement. And that energy was. infectious. And there's a currency. that's tied to that energy of passion, joy, excitement, curiosity. That. currency may not look like money, but. for those who are older, who have no. more passion, they're burnt out, they're. exhausted, it is the highest form of. currency. They want that. They crave.

that energy. They've burnt themselves. out for decades. They want to feel young. again. They want to feel curious again. They want to feel excited again. And. when you come to someone with that. energy, you are bringing a different. mindset. So, the mindset of curiosity, joy, passion, presence, like just. connecting with someone and asking them. a question. is such a valuable currency. So, we have. to look into these untapped skills, talents, currencies inside of us that. are hidden to others, but inside of us,

they can create magic. Yeah. That's one. of them. Another one is just being. generous with your time, with your. resources, with your ideas, and helping. others succeed. I love that because I. didn't even know that then, but I was. doing it unconsciously. Yes, you were. So, I really wanted to. interview incredible people, but I. didn't have a platform at the time when. I met you. And so, I'd partnered up with. Nasdaq. Mhm. And by the way, just to be really. clear with everyone, I didn't get paid. to do this. Yes. So, Nasdaq had something where.

everyone's using Facebook Live, and I. said, "Hey, could I have an hour in the. Nasdaq building whenever I have an. amazing guest that says yes, so that I. can interview them on Nasdaq Live?" And. they would put the picture up on the. middle of Times Square. billboard. So, now I could reach out to. people I looked up to. That's the reason why I went on the. show. Exactly. I didn't know who you were until I saw, "Hey, I can get you on a billboard on. Times Square." I go, "That's value to me. right now.". generous, and I'm trying to find a way. because I don't have anything to offer,

but I admire you. And it was all people. I admired. It was yourself, it was Ryan. Holiday said yes. Me and Ryan had met. maybe once before that, but Ryan came on. that show, and there were a bunch of. other authors. Deepak Chopra came on. that show with me, and it was all people. that I'd admired, looked up to for a. long time. And exactly that. That's how First of. all, we became great friends off of it. But, the point is it's exactly what. you're saying that even though I felt I. had nothing to offer, I had to find a. way to create something to offer someone. of value. I didn't get paid for it for.

that show. I didn't get paid to run it. I didn't make any money from it. But, it. created an opportunity for me to connect. with friends, to connect with people. that were doing incredible things. And. of course, allowed me to showcase my. talents so that then I could show it to. other people. I remember I had Ryan. Harwood on the show, who founded. PureWow, and he just sold it to Gary V. That's how I met Gary. So, Ryan came on. my show, and he was just like, "Jay, I. love you. You're a great interviewer. Like, you have such great energy." He. was He really liked my passion. And he.

said, "You got to come meet Gary." And I. was like, "No way. Like, I love Gary.". And so, he took me to meet Gary for the. first time. We had a meeting in his. office, and that's how I built my. relationship with him. It was all thanks. to Ryan. And so, when you think about it. now, like when I'm Oh, I've never. thought about it until what you're. saying. Now, when I look back, Ryan's. been on the podcast like four times now, or whatever. I love his books. So many. relationships came out of that. And so, I think when you live in a world of I. have nothing to offer, and I don't have. anything, it becomes really hard to. create.

people think, "When I have nothing, I. need to take from someone else." Yes. Yes. I don't have anything, so I can't. give anything if I don't have it. So, I. need someone to give me money right now. cuz I'm broke, I'm poor, I'm stuck, I'm. stressed, I'm anxious. I can't think out. of myself. And this first habit is. really gratitude and generosity is the. gateway to abundance. And it may not mean you're going to make. money right away. You didn't make money. by having me on the show right away. But, we became friends. I helped you,

you helped me. over time we helped each. other create more abundance together. Not only financially, which we've done. together, but a type of richness that. isn't about money. And this book, again, it's it's a money. book, but it's really like it doesn't. matter how much money you have if you. don't feel like you have a rich life. inside of you. That's real. It does not matter how much is in your. bank account, how big your net worth is, if you don't feel like you have an. abundant life. If you're stressed, if.

you're overwhelmed, if you're anxious, if you're constantly in drama, that is. not abundance. A high net worth does not mean you are. free. And the goal is for us to feel. free every moment of our lives, as often. as possible, and allow money to be a. tool to create incredible opportunities, memories, moments, where you can be. generous with it, with the people you. care about, the causes you care about, the institutions you care about, to. serve more people,

and feel good about doing it, not feel. bad about doing it. And that's part of. this process. Most people, when they. lack money, they want to take from. others. They want someone to help them. And you need to flip it on its head and. say, "How can I help others, even when I. have nothing?" That is the time to be. more generous, and in more gratitude, and say, "Thank you for this. opportunity." Even if you have to just. lie to yourself for a moment and say, "I'm stuck. I'm on my sister's couch. I. have no money. I'm 4 months in 4 months.

I'm going to be out of an apartment, and. I don't know where the money's coming.". Just say, "Thank you, God. Thank you, universe, for this opportunity to learn. Yeah. This opportunity to grow cuz I'll. never be here again. I interviewed I. don't know if you've had Ken Honda on, but he wrote. Happy Money, but I haven't had him on. Dude, he's so cool. I love his approach. to this. And he's talking similar style about how. do you just live a rich life, irrelevant. of whether you have money or not. And. again, this is what I want people to get. to. When you are poor, when you're. broke, when you're struggling. financially, it feels really hard to.

feel abundant and rich. And we want to start shifting our. thoughts, our emotions, and our energy. on. "Okay, I know I'm in this financial. situation. It doesn't feel good, but in. order to get out of it, it's not feeling. worse about it. It's starting to feel better about me, better about my values, my character, my. kindness, my generosity, and seeing how. can I add value to others?". And that's the first thing we need to be. thinking about. How can I get into a. richness inside of me to serve others.

and take care of me at the same time. And one of the practices are these. social experiments or exercises similar. to you that Ken has is that whenever. money comes to him, whether it's a. check, whether it's a Venmo payment, whatever it might be, he just says thank. you to that money. He looks at that. number, if it's a penny, if it's a. million dollars, if it's your your. normal check you get coming in in the. mail every 2 weeks, he looks at it and. says, "Thank you." And literally opens. his heart and loves that money that.

comes to him. He says, "Thank you. Where do you want to go? Do you want to go to my bank account? Do you want to go to my savings? Do you. want to go to investments? Do you want. to go towards paying off debt? Do you want me to give you away?". And it may be a weird kind of like. exercise, but I love this approach to. just being mindful of money when it. comes, say thank you, and then when you. pay bills, when you pay off debt, say. thank you as well. "Thank you for allowing me to pay off. this debt. Thank you for paying my cell. phone bill so I can call my friends and.

family that I love. Thank you for the. ability to live a richer life.". And when we start to approach money in. that way, it doesn't mean money's going to fall. from the sky and come to us abundantly, but we're going to start to feel more. rich and abundant internally, which that. energy is what will attract more. opportunities. Those opportunities could. lead to millions. This hostess that came. to you, she brought that thankful. energy, that present energy, that.

loving, joyful, curious energy, and it. created an abundance of opportunities. and connection. You've reminded me of. two really amazing things that I love. that I want to throw out because they're. not us, it's about other people. Last night I was at a premiere of a new. show coming out on Hulu called Delhi. Boys. Uh it's a full South Asian cast. I. was really excited to be just at the. premiere and just seeing my friends. like, you know, do this amazing thing. And it was fascinating because me and. Lilly Singh were together. You know. Lilly. And so me and Lilly were together.

and we're hanging out and this guy said, "Hey, can I film you for 2 seconds?" He. was working at the event and I believe. this is what he does on his own. I I. don't know his name, but I'll have to. find it. And he took a quick swipe of. Lilly, like one shot and she was like, "Oh my god, Jay, you got to do this." He. took a quick swipe with me. He edited it. on the spot and he created this amazing. reel of the event. Like and he was just. doing it with quick and he was taking. like 2 seconds of our time. And me and. Lilly both turned around and go, "Is. this what you do? Like how can we work. with you?" And like, you know, because.

it was it was such a great skill and it. was he was showcasing his talent. He. didn't ask us he didn't charge us. He. didn't ask us for anything. He showed us. his talent and all of a sudden both of. us were like this. A few months ago I. went to a restaurant. that I never been to with some friends. This wasn't like a fancy restaurant, just, you know, it was a it was a great. restaurant, but it wasn't like fancy or. anything like that. The. uh lady who was um. uh hosting, she had so much energy and. so much passion. She was like taking our. order, but then when we asked her for a.

recommendation, she knew every detail. and like she got three job offers at. that table. Me and my friend and. everyone were like, "What do you do? What do you want to do? Like. you. Yeah, let's hire you because we. just there was such an energy. And so. what you're saying is so true cuz I'm. now looking back at my own life and. thinking about moments where I've had. that visceral reaction to someone and. she was like this what I want to do this. my dream and one of my mates was like. all right well let's connect like I you. know he he thinks she could work with. him but it was again the same thing.

you're saying it was just energy and. passion. Energy. She didn't have any other she. didn't have a it didn't matter about her. college degree. It doesn't matter what skill other. skills you have. If you have energy, passion, and a curiosity to care about. someone, you can go so far in that. potential relationship. Speaking about. you know hostess or or waiters or. waitresses, there were studies that. psychologists did around tipping and. waiters. And I don't know the exact statistic I. know it was over a certain amount but I. don't know the exact percentage but.

there are three things that you can do. as a waiter to make more money. Getting. higher tips based on psychology and. these studies. One is just introducing. yourself and saying your name. My name. is Lewis Howes, what's your name? Thanks. for being here today. Saying your name. creates a deeper connection. Making a. recommendation of something you said she. was making recommendations and all that. you know making a recommendation hey I. really recommend this if you're into. this or these are the best two options I. would recommend.

Gets you a higher chance of getting a. better tip and complimenting the person. on their food choice. I'll have the. burger or the vegan burger. That's a. great choice. Those three things will. increase your ability to earn more tips. and it's not like you had some other. skill. You just created connection with. someone and you were trying to bring. that energy to them. Yeah. And money is. an energy and how we think and how we. feel will dictate the energy we have. towards it. And also you create money.

through your energy. And so she had a. certain energy with you and you're like. man this is amazing. You're recommending. it to millions of people about this. person that you just met for the first. time. It's like you can create so many. opportunities for not only financial. abundance but spiritual abundance by. bringing generosity, curiosity, energy, joy, and love to someone's life. And it. doesn't have to take hours. This was 5. minutes of this person's time. She got.

three job offers over that night. Yeah. She could have had a different. energy and said, "Okay, here's your. table. Sit down.". And she would have had nothing. But she. could have went to Harvard and had all. these other skills and none of that. would have mattered without the energy. she brought. People who don't know the. story or have forgotten about it like. D-Rock and Gary V. Like that's their. journey, right? Like D-Rock basically. went up to Gary and was like, "Hey, I'll. just edit videos for you for free." And. now he's been traveling the world with. Gary for the last God knows how long. they've been working together.

yeah. Yeah, and he's such a great guy. and he's awesome and it's just but it. all came from that. That idea of, "Hey, I'm just going to edit these videos for. you and do this thing.". And again, going back to what we said. before, like when you have no money, when you're broke, when you feel. stressed out, overwhelmed, burnt out, you lost your job, you feel like you. need help. And you may need help. And the best way to create abundance. is to go from helplessness to. helpfulness. So instead of saying, "I. feel helpless. I don't know what to do.". You've got to flip it and say, "How can.

I be helpful? How can I help myself but. by also helping someone else? How can I. shift out of this negative energy into. an energy of abundance?" Which is so. hard to do when you have nothing. I. remember for a year and a half feeling. trapped on my sister's couch with no. money thinking, "How am I going to do. this?". And there just got to be a decision. where you say, "I'm going to get up and. I'm going to get out of this funk, out. of this energy, and choose and decide to. bring energy to someone else without. asking for anything in return." And when.

you do that, you'll start to build. momentum. And that's what's going to. help you get to the next level. The. biggest trap is when you feel scarce and. you start making money, and you still. feel trapped. When you see everyone else. having fun with money, and going on that. trip with their girlfriends, or buying. that expensive car to show off to their. guy friends, or getting the nice. watches, or having the cool shoes, and. you thinking, "Oh, if I could really. have money, then I could have these. things that would make me feel cool, or. feel better.". But, if we can approach life and just be.

like, "Man, life is so good with what I. have." That is true wealth. I asked. them, you know, if money walked in, and. you were at a party, how would you. respond? And they said, "I would run to the bar. I would not make eye contact. I would. gossip behind their back to other people. there about money. I would look down at them, but then I. would use them and abuse them, because I. would really need money. And I would. ghost them afterwards." And I go, and I go, "Wow." And they were like,

"Yeah, I know, it's really bad." But, they were being honest. So, I want. people to be honest. Like, what is your. relationship with money? And just. imagine, if you were money, and someone treated. you that way. I remember the day after I. realized I was 4 months away from being. broke, I must have emailed a thousand. people saying, "I will do anything. Here. are my skills. I will. I will edit videos. I will consult. I'll. run your social media." Those weren't. things I wanted to do in my life. But, I needed to create a foundation.

from which I could then invest that into. what I wanted to do. And actually, that. year, everything I made, I invested into. starting this podcast. Everything I made this year went into. launching On Purpose, because that's not. what I wanted to do. I didn't want to. edit other people's videos. I didn't. want to launch social media profiles. I. didn't want to coach and consult. But, I. had those skills. And I think this is. one of the things sometimes is that we. all have skills that are valuable. somewhere. And they may not be the. skills that you want to do for the rest.

of your life. But, this season of life. season of life, and I think there's. something to be said for that because we. all want to be paid for what we love. doing. But even my life today, I have. there's a lot of things I have to do, and there's a lot of things I love to. do, and that's life. Yeah, like you. said, the seasonal side of things. Like. when I was just getting started making. money, this was in 2008, 2009, 2010, I. was using LinkedIn as a platform and a. tool to meet. CEOs, executives, and business leaders.

And I was helping them originally with. their LinkedIn profile. I was just. saying, "Hey, how can I help you. optimize your profile? I see that it's. missing some things here. I'll do it for. free." And I did this to build. relationships with them. And through. that, they just all wanted to help me. and give back to me. And then. eventually, someone said, "Hey, I'll pay. you for this. This is really helpful." I. was like, "Oh, I can make money on. LinkedIn." It's not what I wanted to do, but I had a skill to do it right then. So, I did that for a few years. And once. I had that foundation, I used that money. to launch The School of Greatness as.

well, because I had a couple years of. runway now. And I didn't want to do that forever, but I did it for the season. I got. skills, I made money, and I created a. sense of freedom for myself to do what I. really wanted to do later. Yeah, what do. you have to say to people who are saying. like you can manifest money? Do you. agree with that idea or if It's an. interesting story. I was in New York. last week, and I said to myself, and I. have a lot of these different exercises. and games in the in the book. to just give people as social. experiments. I I think it's really. powerful to give yourself experiment,

because I think when you experiment, you. allow yourself to explore possibilities. And when you create an experiment for. yourself, you allow for the idea of. magic to enter your life. So, I want you. to just as you're watching or listening, I want you to say, "I allow for magic and abundance to. manifest in my life. I'm going to create. it a a possibility that this can happen. in my life. A moment, a synchronicity. Someone might. call me out of the blue. Someone might. hand me money randomly. I'm going to.

allow for this moment to happen and this. magic to happen. So, I said to myself, I. want to follow my own practices, right? And I went to see our friend Mel Robbins. in Boston, and I know she's in New York. for a few days. And I just said to. myself, money comes to me abundantly and. freely, and it I see it everywhere. I. just said this to myself every morning. when I woke up and when I went out of. the hotel, I said, money comes to me. abundantly and freely, and I see it. everywhere. And I'm a magnet for money. I'm a magnet. for money. I just kept saying this. energy, I'm a magnet for money. I was.

just playful, this social experiment. And when I was at Mel's, a penny dropped. on the floor. Someone was carrying a box. and a penny fell, and I said, oh, look, money comes to me. I see it everywhere. And it was a penny. Yeah. And there's a. point to this story. And I pick it up. and I say, Mel, do you want this? And. she goes, no, it's yours. And I go, thank you, I receive. Because when I. relax, I receive. And I'm a magnet for. money. Even though it was a penny, I. could notice it. And I was like, all. right, it came to me. See, here's a win. Here's a little win. Let me do this. again. The next day I go to a New York.

City and I'm in the subway. It's. freezing right now in New York. It's. like 15°. And I'm just saying this to. myself in the subway. And as I get off. the subway, I go up the stairs and it's. freaking filthy in the New York subway, right? And the stairs are dirty, and I. see a penny heads up. And I thought to. myself, this is filthy. This is dirty. It's not valuable. It's not enough. money. I don't need to pick this up. But. I was like, no, I'm doing this. experiment. Money comes to me abundantly. and freely. I'm a magnet for money, and. I'm going to manifest money, right? And.

so, I see it's heads up. I pick it up, put it in my pocket. And I just say, thank you, money, for coming to me. The next day I put it on my bedside. table. I don't think anything of it. The. next day I wake up and I look at this. penny. And I said, cuz I'm doing this. experiment every day. I'm a magnet for. money. Money comes to me abundantly and. freely. And I look at it as a reminder, these two pennies. Look, this is a reminder that money came. to me. Maybe it's not thousands of. dollars or millions of dollars. It's not. something that's magically right here, but it's a reminder that something is.

possible. And I flipped over this one penny Oh, no, I looked at the penny cuz it was. heads up and I noticed something. I go, "Oh, that's really interesting." It said. 1945. on this penny. That's an 80-year-old. penny. And I go, "Huh, that's unique. I haven't seen a penny. that old in a long time." And I flip it. over and I notice something. And I get. chills thinking about it. I notice it's. a wheat penny. I don't know if you know. what a wheat penny is. don't. So, a wheat penny looks different. than a normal penny. It's got like two. stalks of wheat on the outside of the.

penny. It's this old penny. And I look it up and I Google 1945. wheat penny value. And one just sold I I kid you not, I get. chills thinking about it. One just sold, guess for how much? I've no idea. $4,000. No way. Online. One sold for $4,000. Now, it's all based on the condition and. all these different things like who. knows? Maybe it's worth $20. Maybe it's. worth $5,000. Maybe it's worth $100. But. the idea is that there was more value.

inside of that penny than what met the. eye originally. Yeah. And the experiment of let me be. open to possibilities for money to come. to me. And what I thought was two. pennies might be $2,000. And all I had to do was be willing to. look for it. Yeah. Be willing to pick it up and say, "I receive. Thank you.". If I didn't look for it, if I didn't set. that intention, if I didn't see the. possibilities in front of me, I may not. have received that penny that could have.

would be worth thousands. And it's the. same thing in life. We may not see the. opportunity in front of us right now. We. may not reach out to the people we. already know and say, "Hey, this is what. I'm looking to create in my life. I have. these skills. I have these talents. Is there anything that you need right. now that I can be of service for you. with. Yeah. And that's for that first. year, how you created multiple six. figures in that first year when you had. nothing, was reaching out to hundreds of. people. That was you either setting the. intention, seeing that there might be.

possibilities, and doing the work to. manifest. hundreds of thousands that first 6. months. So, by doing that effort, setting the. intention, by saying I'm open to. possibilities, I'm open to receiving. opportunities that come to me, but I. have to be willing to look for them. I. have to be willing to ask for them. I. have to be willing to put myself out. there. and receive and say, "Yes, thank you. I. will do this work." And that's what I. think people need to be thinking about. Can you manifest millions? Yes, if. you're willing to set a clear intention, if you're willing to reach out and say,

"Here's what I'm willing to offer and. add value in. I want to help you achieve. these goals." You're creating more. potential to manifest money. Yeah, I. love that penny story because I'll tell. you a bit about what what I do and I I. do a similar thing in the comes from my. tradition. So, you have a money mantra? No, I wouldn't. say something, but there's I'll tell you. about it. Yeah. So, there's a. So, in our tradition, there's a god or a. goddess for each aspect of society. Money. And so, there is god as in.

there's there's one god, but then. there's loads of different gods for. different departments of society. Kind. of like you have a president or a prime. minister and then you have like the. cabinet and that. Who's the money god? So, it's a goddess. called Lakshmi. That's the Yeah, Lakshmi. means wealth or fortune. luxury almost. Yeah, it's like Lakshmi. Yeah, yeah. Maybe that's where it comes. from. But, Lakshmi is the goddess of fortune. or the goddess of wealth. And so, you would never ever put your. foot on a goddess. So, whenever you're walking the streets. and you see pennies around, you're never.

meant to just walk past them. You. actually meant to pick them up and put. them to your head. So, that's kind of. like part of our culture. And so, whenever I'm walking around the streets. of New York or LA, wherever I am or. subways, I do the same thing. I always. pick it up. And it's really funny cuz. someone who's with me will be like, "What are you doing?" Like, you know, like, "Why are you doing that?" I'm. like, "Because I'm showing respect. I'm. actually showing respect to the goddess. of fortune." So good, man. And so that's what it is. It's like I'm. showing respect to the goddess of. fortune by picking it up. And usually. you give that money to charity or. whatever it may be. It's not It's not.

you're trying to keep on it. You may. give it away whatever. But the point is. you're saying, "I'm not disrespecting. the goddess of fortune wherever I see. her.". That's beautiful. Because I want to have. a respectful relationship with money. I. actually really love practices like that. because I think it goes back to the. point you're making that we have a. relationship with everything. You have a. relationship with your body. You have a. relationship with your mind. You have a. relationship with your partner. And you. have a relationship with money. And so. speaking to money and speaking about. money is something you have to do if you.

want to love that thing and you want it. to love you back. Right? If you never. talk about your partner and you never. talk to your partner, how they're going. to love you and how you're going to love. them? Imagine you're, you know, Roddy for the. next month, you never say thank you. Yeah. You never look her in the eyes. You. never speak to her. You avoid her. constantly. Imagine like your. relationship's going to suffer, you. know. I'm sure you guys will figure it. out, but imagine if that's a lifetime of. a relationship. It cannot survive. And. here's a great question that I want. everyone to ask themselves in another.

exercise that I want everyone to think. about right now whether you're watching. or listening. I want you to comment on. the YouTube below what opened up for you. during this moment. And I'm going to. give you the exercise, Jay. So imagine. this door opens. and it's a person. And this person is money. It's the idea. of money. It's a person that walks in, right? It's money. And. could you. as an example for people to imagine this.

as well, what does that person look like when. they come in? What would you do? What would you say or not say? Could you. could you share kind of what that would. be like for you? If money a person walks. in they are money. They are the. representation of your relationship with. money. Yeah. How would you show up and. react? So in our culture because it would be. Lakshmi walking in and I'll show you a. visual of her afterwards. You would actually bow down. Like you'd. have that and that's a sign of respect. not a sign of surrender or subjugation.

but a sign of respect like you'd bow. Yeah. You'd offer her whatever she. wanted like you'd be like what what do. you need? Like what would you like? What. would you would you like a place to sit? Kind of like a guest in your home. Like a generous host. You treat them. like a guest in your home. Yeah like. what would you like? Uh-huh. Can you can I get you something. to drink? You know whatever it may be. Obviously she's a goddess she don't need. anything but the point is that's how the. hospitality would still be carried. through. That's cool. And then you'd. thank her as well like there would you'd. start every connection with a with a god. or a goddess with gratitude. So that'd.

be like a a genuine. appreciation. and an ability to share how you feel. Mhm. Like I think being vulnerable and. saying hey like. it's been really tough this month like. I'm really struggling right now like. this is what I'm going through like I. need your help like a prayer almost. Interesting. Of sorts. That's beautiful. and I asked I've been asking a lot of. people this and so I love to hear. people's responses and be honest in the. the YouTube comments below of your. relationship with money. I asked someone. close to me uh someone younger probably. in their late 20s. I asked them you know.

if money walked in and you were at a. party how would you respond? And they said I would run to the bar I. would not make eye contact. I would. gossip behind their back to other people. there about money. Uh I would look down at them but then I. would use them and abuse them because I. would really need money. and I would ghost them afterwards. Wow. I go wow and they were like yeah I know. it's really bad but they were being. honest so I want people to be honest. like what is your relationship with.

money and just imagine That's crazy. if. you. were money and someone treated you that. way. If they wouldn't look at you, they. avoid you, they speak poorly behind your. back, they would use and abuse you when. they wanted you, and then they ghost you. when they didn't want to talk to you. Do you think money would want to keep. showing me up in your life if they were. a person? Yeah, definitely. were a person, would they want to be in. your life or they feel, "Oh, this isn't. a good relationship for me." And your. show is all about helping people get. healed, healthy, and whole. And if you want to create a richer, more.

abundant life, you have to create a. healthy relationship with money in your. life. And look at it as if this was a. love of my life. Not in a worshipping. like I worship it or. no matter what, but more of like. this is like a person that I love and I. want to treat them with care. I want to. be a great host. How can I show up? And it doesn't mean it's always going to. be perfect, but how can I show up and be. generous, be kind, be patient, listen, be aware, and be of service to it. Yeah,

that would make a huge difference. Huge difference. I'm not saying you. haven't had a beautiful, abundant, peaceful life as well with money, but I would bet to say that you've also. experienced. stress and overwhelm with money. sure. more than having no money. And a. lot of people get blocked because they. know that like, "Oh, more money, more problems." This is. another like money lie, right? Or a. money like wound that people might have. Like, "I don't want to make more money. because I see people who do have money, they're constantly stressed,

they're not generous with it, they're. stingy, they don't even tip at all, they're even more stingy with it, and. they have it. So, what's the point of. having it if they're not generous? I. don't want to be like that.". And there can be money traps or money. wounds when you have money if you. haven't learned how to heal that. relationship. And so, it's learning how. to heal the relationship so that when. you grow your net worth, you also. increase your self-worth inside and feel. peaceful about it. You expand your. nervous system, your container to.

receive abundantly, so it's not scary, it's not stressful. You can receive. more, and you can give more, because you. know that the more you relax, the more. you receive, and when you give, it's. going to come back in some way. I. struggled with that. My first 6, 7, 8. years of making money, I hoarded money. cuz I was afraid to go broke again. Yeah. And it limited me in certain ways, and it made me feel stressful, and made. me feel like people were trying to take. advantage of me and take my money. It. doesn't feel rich Mhm. having money.

and living in scarcity still. There was. a beautiful thing that we'd always. repeat in the monastery. It was like, "God doesn't see what you give, God sees. what you hold back." Ooh. And so, there's not this, you know, because we. can sometimes become egotistical about. how much we give. Mhm. And it's like, well, you got one. hand behind your back, and that's You. just made that point. It's that It's. that pinch. It's that Are you giving. where there's a challenge to give? Yeah. Cuz that's where we're healing. You know, you can get really. egotistical, like, "Hey, if you were. worth a billion, and you signed a.

million-dollar check?" Like, I've I know. people that are making 3 million in. interest a day. Like, so, you writing a. million-dollar check is not the same. This also applies when you have very. little. So, my parents who didn't make a. lot, when they were giving, It felt like a. lot. like a lot. And so, like, what we're. saying is that that this thought of. being a giver has to be core to us. You. know, my dad was a lot like that, too. Yeah. He had strangers knocking on the door. that somehow convinced him to to stay.

with us for like 3 months in the summer. Uh who were. And he just opened his doors and said, "Yes, like, okay." And so, he was just like like your parents, like, "Okay, you need a place to stay. for a week, a month, 2 months? Cool, we'll figure it out. We'll feed you, we'll do this, as long as we feel like. you're doing something good, and we're. trying to support you.". And I think it's You don't have to give. money to feel rich. Yes. You can be generous or generous with. your time, with your resources in other. ways, with your food. It's like you can. give in other ways and create a richness.

of life. And that's the key. Is to feel. rich and abundant and free. And if you. feel that, when you start making money, you're going to continue to feel free. The biggest trap is when you feel scarce. and you start making money and you still. feel trapped. You still don't feel free. That is an even greater prison in my. mind that you're living in scarcity when. you have money. I mean, there's so many. people right now that have the pressure. to save money cuz we've been talking.

about making money. Yes. But there's this pressure to save. money. And how do you find that balance. between spending comfortably Mhm. if you. have the ability versus like saving for. your future or your family. Like how do. you think about that version? Well, I. think when you can live beneath your. means and feel abundant, you've won. So, when you live beneath your means and. you don't need extra stuff, you've won. I just watched um. The Count of Monte Cristo the other. night. It's an incredible movie of a guy.

who has nothing, who was born by, you. know, back in the I don't know, 1700s or. something. It's a period piece. He was. born of like a clerk, a guy who makes no. money. And his friend was born of like. some general who had a lot of money or. something. And this poor kid, that grew up friends, didn't have anything. But he had the. world. He had no money, no possessions, but he just approached life as like, man, but here's a piece of string. Here's a rock that I can play with. Like.

I can just imagine the beauty of the. world and he appreciated everything even. though he had no money. And I think. in some ways it's so hard to look at. that when we see Instagram and TikTok. where everyone has things. part, yeah. When you see everyone else. having fun with money and going on that. trip with their girlfriends or buying. that expensive car to show off to their. guy friends or getting the nice watches. or having the cool shoes and you. thinking oh if I could really have money. then I could have these things that. would make me feel cool or feel better.

But if we can approach life and just be. like man life is so good with what I. have, that is true wealth. That is true. abundance and happiness. And it doesn't mean you shouldn't strive. to create more if you want more. If you. want to have nice shoes or a nice watch, cool. You got to learn how to make money. and you want to learn how to make money. easy, not make money hard. And that that. is a a process in developing these. skills, these talents within you and. seeing how you can monetize those. skills.

And I'm not saying don't splurge on. certain things if you want to, but you. have to understand the consequences if. you're going to splurge on something. to have fun with friends or go on trips. and spend this money that you maybe. don't have, just know there might be a. consequence to that later. If you have. to use a credit card, you have to pay. that debt with interest later. So just know there's a cost to splurging. or doing spending when you don't have. it. I'm a big fan of saving and.

investing so that you can have freedom. in the future and feel rich continually. and not needing to buy things to feel. richer. Yeah. What about this idea of. I want to make money quick. Like I just. want to make a million dollars in a. week. I want to find that hack that. solves my money problems. Like what's. your take on that? Is that possible? I've got money wounds and it's because I. wanted to make easy money in my past. Not make money easy. And I don't know anyone that doesn't.

want to make easy money. Like. our ego wants it to come to us now and. want to find a quick hack or the the. quick investment that's going to 10x in. two months. Sure there's always outliers that figure. out a way to do that. But every time. I've tried to do that, I've lost my. money and it's been painful. And I'm. like, okay, I think I've learned that. lesson, but there's this new like quick. easy money opportunity. and every time I do it again, I'm like, what was I thinking? Yeah. You see that. others acts like there's a way to do it.

so easy if you just invest in crypto, if. you just invest in this, if you just do. this thing, you're going to make quick. and easy money. I don't know anyone who's made hundreds. of millions, millions, or billions who's. lived that way. Mhm. They might have. invested and gone all in on one business. and created generational wealth or maybe. they went all in on investing in one. main stock that ended up 10 or 20 x'ing. over time. But going the quick make easy money way.

doesn't usually work and it's painful. lessons you have to live afterwards. So, I don't know, have you ever made quick. easy money? No, no, I I haven't for. sure. And and I probably made mistakes. when I had a bad relationship with. money. Yeah. I remember my one of my. mentors in like 2013. told me to invest in crypto. Oh. And at the time, I thought to myself It. was a scam. I've only got like I only like at that. time in my life, I probably had a.

thousand dollars, right? Saved because. I'd just come out, I'd just started. working. I didn't have the money. So, I. was thinking, a thousand dollars, what's. it going to do? Obviously, I was stupid. I didn't know. That also wouldn't have. been quick. It would have been It would. have taken 10 15 years. Yeah, it would. have That's the thing. It's like Yeah, it would have taken 12 We could always. look back and say, oh, our friend told. us to invest in this thing 10 years ago. And if I imagine if I did it 10 years. Yeah, just like any stock. Yeah. If you. invest in it and wait 10 years, it should go up if the company continues. to do well, but No, I've never made easy. money. And I agree Well, here's the You.

actually have You actually have made. easy money after putting in a decade. plus of work. Mhm. A decade of. developing skills, of monetizing your. skills, and following the seven habits. we talk about in this book, which is. yeah, you can make easy money now. You. can get paid hundreds of thousands of. dollars to speak for 60 minutes because. you've added so much value in the world. for the past decade plus. And even a. decade before that of spiritual practice. before you even learned how to make. money. So two decades two decades of.

how do I develop skills within me to. serve people? Whether it be one-on-one, one to 10, one to 10,000. How do I. develop those skills to serve and give. generously? You have followed this. mindset perfectly, which is a mindset of. generosity and gratitude. And that's all you did for essentially. the last two decades. How can I learn. how to become a better human? How can I give generously? And how can I. be appreciative and grateful for the.

life that I have? And you had no money. for almost four years as a monk. But I. would bet that you lived a beautifully. rich life. You didn't need the money to feel rich. You felt provided for. You had nature. You had community. You were learning. You got to be on purpose. You got to. serve. And what a beautiful gift to. receive. And you had no money in your. bank account. But you were probably one of the richest. people that you knew. And that is.

beautiful. Yeah. That is abundant. Yeah. And that's something that definitely. doesn't change with the financial. change. If I have no money right now, how can I. get to a place where you were at where I. had the richest, most abundant life? Because I was working on me. I was a. giver. I was generous with my time and. my energy and my resources, whatever. whatever I had. And then how can I start. to earn more money, make money easy by. feeling effortless internally, expanding.

my nervous system so that it can receive. more and feel safe. Mhm. That is a rich abundant life. And that's what we're all really looking. for. And me and you both know people who have. hundreds of million dollars that they've. exited companies and they're not happy. Mhm. It doesn't mean having more money. equals happiness. You still have to. learn how to heal you and have a healthy. relationship with yourself and money. even when you have it. When you're. looking for a quick fix. and a quick win, the problem is the speed at which you.

win is the speed at which you lose. Yes. Right? So, if you think I'll put. money into this now, I'll make something. in a week, chances are like you said, you lose it immediately. You lose it in a day. You lose it in a day. And the reason that happens is because. you actually don't know why you're. putting your money there. So, it goes. back to your first point of awareness. It goes back to something you call the. mapping habit, the plan. Because what's going on is you're saying. I want this to happen now, I want this. to happen immediately, I want this to.

happen quickly. So, I know zero about. this crypto. Let me just throw it in. there real quick. I know zero about this. property. I've had friends literally. gamble away their life savings because. they heard all their friends were making. money through crypto. Or real estate or. whatever. say to me, I've got this much money, what should I invest in? I'm like, what. do you know about? Invest in that. What. do you actually know about? Like, what. do you actually have experience, knowledge, wisdom in? Because guess. what? Because of that, you'll make money. on it because you actually understand. it. Again, it goes back to the point of. respect. If we don't respect our.

audience, it doesn't grow. If you don't. respect your community, it doesn't grow. If you don't respect your clients, it. doesn't grow. By us saying I want to. make money, but I know nothing about. this industry, it means I'm. disrespecting the industry. And sure, there may be one person who had some. lucky story that they tell you about, but the truth is most of us are not. going to get there. So, if you have a. little bit of money and you're like, Jay, I've only got $100 to invest, Lewis, I've only got $1,000 to invest, and you ask me where to put it, put it. in what you know. Put it in yourself. If. that's all you know is yourself and your.

skills. And I think so many of us are. looking for that ticket, but actually. that investment in yourself will pay so. many dividends. This is This is I'm glad you said this. because a week ago someone literally. asked me if I have a thousand dollars. right now to invest, where should I. invest it? And everyone says put it in. crypto, put it in real estate funds, put. it in all these things. Don't listen to. any of that. When I had no money, there. was two things that I needed to create. more of a currency within me. And that. was courage and confidence. I lacked the.

courage to develop certain skills. When. I had courage to go all in on learning. public speaking or learning how to. write, I didn't know those skills. Actually lacked those skills. And I was. afraid to be a failure at those things. by trying them. But by having the. courage to invest my time and energy in. a public speaking class, in a writing. coach, I didn't have the skills, but I. developed the courage. That courage. created the actions to create. confidence. That confidence created a currency. within me of belief. That belief.

dictated my behaviors to start charging. more, to go out there and ask for more, to put myself out there in bigger ways. And so if you have a thousand dollars or. five thousand dollars right now and you. want to figure out where to invest it, invest it in courage to learn new skills. that will give you confidence. That will. be an incredible currency that you'll. have forever. I mean Lewis, I'm so. excited for people to read this book. It's honestly I I I love this. conversation because we're both sitting. here as people who like you said not not.

finished our money journey either. We're. we're you know, I've got so many years. left to learn so much more. The reason. why I empathize with this is I never. ever thought I'd be financially abundant. mentally or physically. And I know you feel the same way. was I never I would never figure out how. to make money. Same. I really empathize with everyone. who's listening going I'm stuck. I'm. trying to figure this out. But I really. do believe it starts with this. because this is the work you'll have to. do whether you make money tomorrow or in. 10 years and no matter how much you.

make, you're still going to have to do. this work in this book because even if. you find a way to make money and you. become really really financially. successful, you will never feel free in. that financial success without doing. this work and you'll still feel anxious. and you'll still feel stressed and. you'll still. feel all of that, right? a story in the book about I used to live. in an apartment building here in, you. know, in LA. It was really sad. There. was a lot of wealthy people in this. building that I lived in. A lot of. celebrities and billionaires. I was the. poorest person there, which is another.

another lesson, which is to put yourself. in rooms where you can mastermind with. people and be around proximity about of. people who have more so you can learn. from them. But I was on a trip and I. came back from a trip driving back into. the the valet of my building. and there was a tent in the valet like. in the driveway. And I kind of jokingly. said to the valet attendant as I pulled. into the building, I said, "Someone didn't jump, did they?" Kind of. like joking. And the guy looked at me with like a. serious face like, "Yeah, it just. happened like 30 minutes ago." And I was.

I was like, "This can't be real." It was. like, "What? There's billionaires in. here. There's millionaires in here. There's celebrities in here." I was. like, "Why would anyone in this building. take their own life?". And it was kind of like just this shock. to me because. I learned later who this person was. Someone did jump off the building right. before I came back. and he was worth hundreds of millions of. dollars net worth. You could just Google. his name. And I was just thinking, "Why. would someone worth so much money take.

their life?". And I don't want to assume what really. happened, but it doesn't mean having all. the money in the world is going to solve. all your problems and you're going to. feel like you can love and accept. yourself, that you have self-worth. So. like you said, you may learn how to make. a lot of money, but if you haven't. learned how to heal your relationship. with you, then all the money in the world can't. save your life and can't make you feel. rich. Can't make you feel abundant. Can't make you have beautiful. relationships with friends, family, colleagues. And that's where the real wealth comes.

in life when you have deep meaningful. relationships. And something I want to acknowledge that. you do really well. is you follow this first habit, the. mindset habit, so well, which is how can. I be generous with my time, my energy, my love for friends, family, colleagues, your community. This community feels it. Everyone. listening and watching right now feel. your generosity, your giving heart, and your gratitude. for them. Whether be individually or.

collectively, they feel it. And most people, they want to make more. money, but they don't have that generosity, that grateful spirit. And they want the quick fix. They want. to make easy money quick, not make money. easy. And the billionaires that I know you. know, and the millionaires that that we know. we've interviewed, and I'll ask them this question, what do. you think the key to creating more. financial abundance every year after.

year is for you? Every billionaire or. mega millionaire will say giving more. I. make more when I give more that year. Whether be giving more to charities, whether be giving to people in my life, whether be giving back to my community, giving back to my employees, my. business, finding ways to give more, and. almost give where it feels a little. uncomfortable. Like, "Oh, that was That was a big check I. just wrote. Oh, man, I care about this. cause, this charity. Uh I feel safe giving this amount, but.

what really would make it. uncomfortable?" Or I go to church every. week and I typically give this, but what. would make me feel a little. uncomfortable? Most of people say the more they give. when it's the most uncomfortable, somehow they just keep earning more. And. I'm not saying you should give all your. money away and you're going to earn more. back. But having that mindset of generosity, and you do this very well, where you. give to your community, whenever there's. some type of breakdown in the world, you. you're one of the first people to say,

"How can we give? How can we rally the. troops? You give first, you rally the. troops, they let's give back." The fires. happened, stuff happened in India a. couple years ago. Stuff's always. happening and you say, "We're going to give." I don't know if. that seems something conscious you think. about, like, "Oh, by giving more every. year, it helps me make more, but also I. feel richer." And when you do that with. everyone in your life, whether you're the hostess and you give. curiosity, love, passion, fun,

playfulness, you're giving something in. that moment. If you can write a check. for something that is a cause and you. give, it's because you can and you do it. generously, it's just going to make you richer. inside and you're creating an energy of. abundance to attract more. I think for. me it was watching my parents. So, for. all the other things I said about just. enough and everything, my parents always. gave in charity. Mhm. Our home was. always a home where everyone was. welcome. My mom would happily cook.

dinner for everyone even though, you. know, we didn't have everything. Yeah. And so, my parents had this generous. heart at the same time. They probably. felt rich in that generosity, yeah. And they did it when we didn't have a. lot. Like, my parents now when I realize. how much my parents made and how much. they gave in charity, the proportions. were pretty off. And I think for me I just felt so. fortunate and I feel so lucky and I feel. so grateful that I have been able to. find abundance in my life, that I feel.

like the only natural reaction to that. has to be to give. When I came back to. LA with the fires and everything, I was. just grateful to come back to a home. Yeah. But not everyone I know came back. to a home. And so I felt grateful that I. had a home. And so I was like, "Okay, what can we do?" And so I think it comes. from a place of gratitude again. It. comes from a place of seeing my parents. be so generous even though they had. nothing to give actually. And it ultimately comes to me because I. just feel like there's no better use for.

it in the long run than that. And I do. believe it will come back in its own. way. I don't give it because I want it. back. I I give it because I believe. there's a need. But I do deeply believe. that it will come back in its own way. and it always has. The book's called. Make Money Easy, Create Financial. Freedom, and Live a Richer Life. Lewis. Howes. Lewis, I'm so grateful genuinely. for this conversation. It's left me. feeling so rich. I've always felt rich. in our friendship. And I'm really glad. that you wrote about it in this way. because I think there's lots of great.

money experts out there who are giving. really good sound financial advice. Yeah, that's not That's not what this. is. And I think we need all of it, but I. think this is a deep part because I know. for me personally this has been really. deep work. And you put it into a book. And so I'm so grateful that people get. to access it. Thanks, brother. Thank you for doing. this. Everyone who's been listening or. watching, read the book, learn the. habits, tag me and Lewis on Instagram, on TikTok. Let me know what's resonating. with you, what's connected with you. I. want to hear your stories. I want to.

hear what skill you invested in. I want. you to turn up at your job even if you. hate it. I want you to turn up to it. with all the love that you possibly. have. See whose mind you blow, who gets. impressed by what you're doing. Someone's going to be able to shift your. life at some point. And it's going to. start with you, but just don't. underestimate the value of these things. that sound simple. And they sound like. I've got to figure out something more. complex. No, no, no. This is where it. starts. And this will mean that at the. end of it you'll be happy. So uh thank.

you to Lewis. Thank you to each and. every one of you. And yeah, make money. easy. Appreciate it, brother. easy. I love you, man. If you loved this. episode, you'll love my conversation. with Dr. Joe Dispenza on why stress and. overthinking negatively impacts your. brain and heart and how to change your. habits that are on autopilot. Listen to. it right now. How many times do we have. to forget until we stop forgetting and. start remembering? That's the moment of. change. No one cares how many times you. fell off the bicycle if you ride the. bicycle now. You ride the bike.