As a linguistically curious mind, a few ideas stood out to me when I read The Psychology of Money, especially the reminder that the words we choose quietly shape our mindset.
One topic that struck me was the difference between being rich and being wealthy. We often treat these words as the same thing (even the dictionary gives nearly identical definitions!). When we say, “I want to be rich/wealthy,” we tend to use them interchangeably.
But the book cautions that this overlap can lead to poor money decisions.
So I paused and asked myself:
How do I define rich? How do I define wealthy?
Actually, our everyday language sheds some light on this. Take this example:
We build wealth. | ??We build rich.
Yes, “rich” is not technically a noun, but English doesn’t seem to offer us a noun that would make “build rich” make sense in the first place.
Clarity matters. We can’t move toward what we want if we don’t actually know what we mean.
And even when we gain clarity, action still feels hard sometimes. Progress usually requires time, money, energy, and emotional discomfort like fear, doubt, or regret. What fascinated me was how dramatically the language around these experiences shifts our behavior.
When we see them as costs or penalties, they feel like something being taken away from us. It’s easy to hesitate or stop.
So what do we do?
We shift the language.
What if those same efforts are viewed as investments? Suddenly, they feel purposeful. Intentional. Like seeds we planted. And now we want to see the harvest.
Same situation.
Different language.
Different action.
Another word I reflected on was risk. Some people freeze because all they see are the risks. Others rush in because the promise of reward looks irresistible.
But a risk isn’t automatically dangerous. I love the saying:
“There are no risky investments – only risky people.”
Meaning: it’s risky only when you don’t know what you’re doing.
If something feels “too risky,” I’ve been practicing asking:
“Is this truly a risky choice, or is it simply unfamiliar?”
Research, conversations, and preparation often reduce the feeling of danger, and help to make the tasks at hand more manageable. You can move forward.
Other times, your research confirms it is genuinely risky, and walking away is the wiser choice.
Either way, you avoid acting out of fear or fear of missing out.
As someone who naturally thinks before acting (sometimes too much!), this reframing has helped me tremendously.
I hope this reflection helps you notice the patterns in your own language.
Our words shape our goals, our risks, our choices, and ultimately, our direction.
What’s one phrase you’re ready to reframe starting today?
See the full episode on YouTube 🎥
