How I Overcame The “Poor Man” Mentality And Reached My Goals
When I was the executive producer of The Meredith Vieira Show, I was earning a great salary and living a life I had never imagined possible. I drove a convertible BMW, dined at the best restaurants in New York City, and even traveled to Italy to see Bruce Springsteen—where I got to hang out with the band afterward (the bandleader of our show was in the E Street Band).
Life was full of incredible opportunities, and I felt deeply grateful. With my third child on the way, my family needed more space. I had always dreamed of owning a big Colonial with a brick front and a grand entryway complete with a chandelier. I had a clear image of what my ideal home looked like, and pretty soon, that exact house became available. It was a beautiful Colonial on a cul-de-sac with around 4,000 square feet of living space. We moved in and filled it with new furniture and a big 4K television.
Growing up, I never could have imagined living in a house like this. My parents provided a great life for us, but money was often tight. We lived in a small home with three kids, and that was just our reality. I was so excited to show my new dream home to my dad, hoping he would be proud of me for working my way up to this beautiful house.
When my dad entered the house, he was visibly impressed. He walked around, commenting on how amazing it was. Then he paused and said, “Look at this—a poor man living in a rich man’s house.”
At that moment, his words stung. It was a comment that echoed the insecurities I already carried deep inside. Despite my success, I still saw myself as that kid from a modest home. My dad’s words triggered a flood of self-doubt: I wasn’t as smart or charismatic as others in my field. I didn’t belong in this house, this job, or this lifestyle. I felt like an imposter.
Even though I had worked hard for my career success, deep down I didn’t believe I deserved it. I carried limiting beliefs about my own worth, money, and the people who had it. Thoughts that had been ingrained in me since childhood played on a loop: “People with money think they’re better than everyone else.” “Money can’t buy happiness.” “Money is the root of all evil.”
After my dad’s visit, those old self-doubts began running the show. My outer world started to mirror my inner turmoil. The high-paying job went away. The BMW was traded in for a Nissan Pathfinder. The house was sold, and I moved into a rental. My subconscious had created an identity that I believed was true—a poor man trying to live a rich man’s life.
The Turning Point
It wasn’t until I began meditating and listening to my inner dialogue that I realized how harmful these limiting beliefs were. The first step was simply becoming aware of their existence. I began to separate myself from those thoughts and recognize that they weren’t the truth—they were just old stories I had been carrying around like a bag of rocks.
Thanks to the incredible tools that Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) provided me, I was able to remove these limiting beliefs. I reprogrammed my mind to understand that I am capable of great things and deserving of success. My identity is now one of strength, growth, and persistence. This isn’t just something I tell myself; it’s something I believe to my core. I can and do achieve anything I put my mind to.
The Path Forward
Whether you are trying to find purpose, meet the love of your life, or lose weight, it all starts with recognizing and removing the limiting beliefs that no longer serve you. Once you remove those old stories, you will be amazed at how clear the path forward becomes.
What limiting beliefs are you carrying that might be holding you back? Take a moment to listen to your inner dialogue. Write down the thoughts that come up when you imagine achieving your biggest goals. Then ask yourself: Are these thoughts true, or are they outdated stories?
If I can overcome the belief that I was a poor man living in a rich man’s house, you can overcome the stories that are holding you back too. The life you want is within reach—it all starts with your mindset.
