Lewis Howes, the host of The School of Greatness podcast and author of the recently released book “Make Money Easy,” has not always enjoyed a life marked by financial freedom. Following a football injury that sidelined his athletic career, he found himself financially struggling and couch surfing at his sister’s place. He recalls that period as one rife with “financial insecurity” — a sentiment many can understand, particularly during tough times.
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However, Howes’ journey didn’t stop there. Through years of personal growth, shifts in mindset, and life experiences, he managed to turn his situation around. In a recent interview on NBC, Howes outlined fundamental concepts from his new book, providing insights on transforming your perspective on money to simplify both earning and managing it.
Here are five key insights from his philosophy.
Howes suggests that the initial step to alleviate the stress surrounding money is to be truthful about your feelings toward it. His feelings of insecurity regarding finances stemmed from a lack of understanding about money management in his early adult years.
This awareness, he explained, not only empowered him to rehabilitate his financial habits but also fostered empathy for others experiencing similar challenges. “If you don’t know how to handle money, it’s tough to feel confident,” he observed.
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In “Make Money Easy,” Howes presents a straightforward, albeit unconventional, notion: “Money arrives to individuals when they are prepared for it.” While this may seem vague, he illustrates his point with a personal anecdote.
“There was a point in my life when I wasn’t emotionally equipped to handle money,” he reflected. “I would have squandered it, gone into debt, or mismanaged it.” Being “ready” goes beyond the desire for more money; it requires being emotionally prepared to manage it responsibly.
A significant mindset change for Howes involved recognizing his worthiness of receiving and retaining money. Before this realization, he confessed he often undermined his own financial success.
“You need to feel emotionally secure with money,” he insisted. This involves shedding outdated beliefs, releasing guilt or shame, and fostering a mindset in which you perceive wealth as something manageable and growable, rather than something to dread or mishandle.
Howes posits that recognizing your “money story” — the emotions and experiences linked to your past interactions with money — is vital to transforming your financial trajectory.
