Tony Robbins explains why even billionaires can be miserable — and how to prevent it (2024)

Strategy

Written by Libby Kane, CFEI

2017-07-31T14:09:00Z

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Tony Robbins explains why even billionaires can be miserable — and how to prevent it (3)

Sarah Jacobs

If you ask Tony Robbins, money won't make you happy.

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Even if you have billions.

In a video published on Inc, Robbins explained why you can seem to have everything in the world and still be miserable.

"We have a two-million-year-old brain," he told the crowd at the Inc. 5000 conference in October 2016. "And that two-million-year-old brain is not designed to make you happy. It's designed to make you survive. So no matter how much money you get, how much success, there's this part of your brain still that will see, that's always looking for what's wrong."

What's wrong, he continued, is easy to find.

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"What's wrong is always available," he said. "So is what's right."

Robbins explained that finding the latter is more difficult. He has personally trained his brain to find it by using what he's called the 90-second rule — enabling him to "blow through" negative emotions like frustration and anger in a matter of seconds.

And it started, he said, with a decision. "I made the most important decision of my life. You can choose to do this if you want today," he said. "I'm suggesting to you that this decision, if you made it, could be the most important one of all."

That decision, Robbins explained, was to remain in what he called "a beautiful state."

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"This beautiful state's not limited — it could be happy, it could be playful, it could be bold, it can be creative," he said."But those make you feel alive, and you do the right thing for other people, and for yourself, and your family, and your clients when you're in a beautiful state."

He does himself by choosing to be fascinated by things that would otherwise be frustrating. "What are the chances somebody's messing up?" he asked. "One hundred percent. So now I'm not surprised. I'm fascinated."

Robbins said:

"The most valuable decision of all is to make a decision that will free you. The decision that I'm going to be in a beautiful state every day no matter what, even if it craps on my parade, even if everybody does something wrong, even if they destroy the economy, I'm still gonna be that.
"Because I would love to make you happy for the rest of your life, but I can't do that. Only you can."

Watch the full video on Inc »

Libby Kane, CFEI

Executive Editor, Personal Finance Insider

Libby Kane, CFEI, is the Executive Editor for Personal Finance Insider, Business Insider's personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money Insider readers already know and love. She holds the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) certification issued by the National Financial Educators Council. Previously at Business Insider, she oversaw teams including Strategy, Careers, and Executive Life.Her team at Insider has tackled projects including:Women of Means, a series about women taking control of their financesInside the Racial Wealth Gap, an exploration of the causes, effects, and potential solutions of the racial wealth gap in the US (finalist, Drum Award, "Editorial Campaign of the Year," 2021)Strings Attached, a series of essays from people who have left insulated communities and how that journey affected their relationship with moneyMaster Your Money, a year-long guide for millennials on how to take control of their finances (first runner up, Drum Award, "Best Use of Social Media," 2022)The Road to Home, a comprehensive guide to buying your first house (silver award winner, National Association of Real Estate Editors, "Best Multi-Platform Package or Series – Real Estate," 2022)Personal Finance Insider also rates, explains, and recommends financial products and services.Outside of personal finance, she's written about everything from why Chinese children are so good at math to the business of dogs to hard truths about adulthood.In September 2016, she helped launch Business Insider Netherlands in Amsterdam.She also spent three years as a member of the Insider Committee, a cross-team focus group working on making Business Insider an even better place to work.She's always interested in research, charts, and people: new and interesting research, compelling charts and other visuals, and people who are willing to share the details of their impressive financial accomplishments and strategies.Before joining the company in March 2014, she was the associate editor at LearnVest, covering personal and behavioral finance.If you have something to share, please reach out to lkane@businessinsider.com.

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Tony Robbins explains why even billionaires can be miserable — and how to prevent it (2024)

FAQs

Why is Tony Robbins so effective? ›

Tony Robbins is known for his high-energy delivery. He also speaks with a great deal of conviction. This comes across in the way he talks about his own experiences and the way he advocates for his beliefs. When he's sharing a story, he doesn't just tell it; he brings it to life with rich detail and emotion.

Is Tony Robbins a billionaire? ›

Personal development guru Tony Robbins might have a net worth of $600 million, according to Market Realist, but he worked hard to get there. And he credits his success to one simple $35 decision.

How much does Tony Robbins make a month? ›

As of 2024, Tony Robbins net worth is estimated as $620 Million approximately. How much Tony Robbins earn on a yearly basis? Tony Robbins earns around $60 million or more annually, with a monthly income of approximately $5 million.

Does Tony Robbins have a degree? ›

During his youth he discovered that he had a talent for public speaking, and he began to read the works of such inspirational writers as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Dale Carnegie. Robbins did not go to college but instead took a job organizing seminars for the motivational speaker Jim Rohn.

What are Tony Robbins main points? ›

Some of Tony Robbins' key points instruct readers to:
  • Learn to avoid self-sabotage (overeating, procrastination, jealousy, etc.). ...
  • Adopt a vocabulary of success, which involves using language to change your life. ...
  • Define your personal priorities and create self-imposed rules to maximize happiness.
Jan 25, 2018

What method does Tony Robbins use? ›

Tony Robbins created the RPM, universally known as the Rapid Planning Method.

Has Tony Robbins done anything? ›

Philanthropy. In 1991, Robbins founded the Anthony Robbins Foundation, to help young people, homeless people, hungry people, elderly people, and imprisoned people.

Do Tony Robbins crew get paid? ›

Crewing is a volunteer role. We don't get paid to be there, and we pay for our travel, hotel and food. We arrive 1–2 days before the event and stay through its conclusion, often until the next day.

Does Tony Robbins donate money? ›

Since 1991, The Tony Robbins Foundation has helped change the lives of millions, including youth, seniors, the hungry, homeless and the imprisoned population.

How much does it cost to hire a Tony Robbins coach? ›

Tony Robbins Coaching: Robbins does NOT publish Coaching fees or costs. Coaching packages vary dramatically from about $5,000.00 to over $8,200.00 for 6 months, about 18 sessions of 30 minutes each. Or from to $12,000.00 to over $18,000.00 for 12 months, depending upon a host of different unknown factors.

How much to hire Tony Robbins? ›

Tony Robbins' speaking fee varies depending on the event and the audience. However, his fee is estimated to be between $300,000 and $1 million per engagement.

How much do Tony Robbins life coaches make? ›

There is a huge range of pay. Some coaches start at $50 an hour, and then there's the Tony Robbins of the world that charge $10,000 an hour. The average Life Coach charges $150 an hour. The average executive coach charges $250-500 an hour depending on which part of the country they are in.

What is Tony Robbins' diet? ›

Tony himself follows an alkaline diet, which means eating foods with an alkaline pH rather than an acidic pH. Most meats and dairy are acidic, and while the alkaline diet doesn't cut out these foods, it emphasizes leafy green veggies, legumes and healthy fats.

Is Tony Robbins a vegan? ›

Robbins has experimented with his diet over his life, and has tried going vegan and having a fish-heavy diet. He told us he quit the latter when a blood test revealed all of that fish left him with a dangerous level of mercury in his body.

Who trained Tony Robbins? ›

Then Jim Rohn invited Tony Robbins to come to work for him and Tony went on to be mentored and coached by Jim Rohn. By the time, Tony was 31 years, he was a millionaire.

How effective is Tony Robbins? ›

I would say only 2% of people actually transform their lives from going to a Tony Robbins seminar. Most people don't need more information or motivation.

Is Tony Robbins a real psychologist? ›

Robbins has no formal training in psychology or mental health but learned his craft from Jim Rohn, a Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.

What are the three steps to a breakthrough Tony Robbins? ›

Here are my 3 steps to a breakthrough:
  1. Your Strategies. I live for finding strategies — those shortcuts that help people get more done in less time. ...
  2. Your Story. We all have stories — narratives we tell ourselves about why we can or cannot do or achieve something in our lives. ...
  3. Your state.

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