Over the past decade, I’ve had the chance to speak with dozens of entrepreneurs and self-made millionaires. I’ve also spent countless hours analyzing their habits, routines, and mindset—not just because I’m curious, but because I’ve always wanted to understand what really separates them from the average person financially.
And here’s one thing I’ve discovered that might surprise you.
It’s not genius. It’s not luck. It’s not even having a rich family or a degree from Harvard.
The real difference?
It’s a tiny daily habit that takes less than 10 minutes—but it completely changes how they think about money.
And the best part?
Anyone can do it.
Let’s talk about what that habit is—and why it works.
The 10-minute habit that rewires your financial brain
So what’s this game-changing habit?
Self-made millionaires review their finances and goals for 10 minutes every single day.
That’s it. Nothing flashy. Just 10 minutes of intentional focus on where their money is going, where it’s coming from, and how it’s aligning with their bigger goals.
It might sound simple, even boring—but this one habit can change everything.
Let me break it down.
Why 10 minutes a day makes a massive difference
Most people avoid looking at their finances. It’s not because they’re lazy—it’s because money can be emotional. For many, checking your bank account feels like stepping on the scale after a month of junk food.
But successful people approach it differently.
They face their money. Daily.
When you spend 10 minutes a day looking at your numbers—your bank accounts, income, expenses, and investments—you start to see patterns. You become aware. And awareness is the first step to control.
Think about it like this:
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Want to stop overspending? You need to actually know where your money is going.
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Want to build wealth? You need to track how much you’re investing, saving, and earning.
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Want to retire early? You need a plan—and you need to check in on it consistently.
Millionaires don’t just wing it. They track it.
What to do in your 10-minute money habit
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can do during those 10 minutes each day. You don’t need a fancy app. A simple Google Sheet or notes app will work just fine.
1. Check your accounts
Open your bank accounts, credit cards, investment accounts—whatever applies. Just take a look at the numbers.
This isn’t about judging yourself. It’s just about being aware. Are your balances going up or down? Did you get charged a sneaky subscription fee you forgot about?
Just look.
2. Track your spending (for the past day)
Write down anything you spent yesterday. If you didn’t spend anything, that’s worth noting too.
Over time, this becomes powerful. You’ll start to notice that $5 coffee doesn’t seem like a lot—until you’ve logged it 20 times this month.
3. Review your income or goals
Did any income come in? Any side hustle money? A dividend? Or maybe nothing today—that’s fine. But check.
Then look at your goals. Are you saving for a house? Trying to hit $10,000 in your investment account? Want to earn $1,000/month in passive income?
Keeping these top of mind every day helps you act on them.
4. Make one tiny money move
Could be transferring $5 into savings. Could be cancelling a subscription. Could be sending an invoice, following up on a payment, or reading one article on investing.
It doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be intentional.
How this habit separates the rich from the average
Here’s the truth: most middle-class people operate on autopilot. Money comes in, money goes out, and they hope there’s something left at the end of the month.
Millionaires operate with intention.
That’s the real separator. It’s not that they earn more (though eventually they do)—it’s that they manage money better. And they start doing that long before they get rich.
This habit forces you to engage with your finances every day. It builds discipline, clarity, and confidence.
And over time, small actions compound.
How this habit changed my life
I’ll be honest—I didn’t always do this.
In my 20s, I was hustling hard but ignoring the financial side. I figured if I just made more money, everything would sort itself out.
It didn’t.
I had months where I earned big—and still felt broke. I was stressed, disorganized, and constantly playing catch-up.
That changed when I started this simple 10-minute daily review.
I set financial goals. I tracked progress. I built real systems.
Now, I know exactly how much I need to hit my financial goals. I know what’s working and what’s not. And I make better decisions—because I’m paying attention.
Your future self will thank you
Look, you don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. You don’t need to be a finance guru. And you definitely don’t need to be rich already.
But if you can carve out just 10 minutes a day to pay attention—to your money, your goals, your progress—you’ll already be doing more than 90% of people.
And that’s the point.
Wealth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by habit.
Want to try it?
Here’s a challenge:
Try this 10-minute habit for 7 days straight. No skipping. Just show up.
After a week, ask yourself:
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Do I feel more in control?
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Am I making better choices?
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Do I feel clearer about where I’m heading?
Chances are, the answer will be yes.
And from there? Keep going. Because that’s the habit that changes lives.
Not overnight. But definitely over time.
