MIDDLE CLASS vs. WORLD CLASS

Before I dive into this list, I want to share why I’m highlighting these key mindset contrasts by Steve Siebold.

There’s a quote of his that sums it up perfectly:

“Amateur performers operate from delusion, pros operate from objective reality. The great ones’ habits, actions, and behaviours are totally congruent with the size and scope of their ultimate vision. That’s why we call them champions.” – Steve Siebold

This is about mentality. It’s about recognizing the mental patterns that separate the average from the exceptional. Most people stay stuck in survival mode not because they lack potential, but because they’re operating from a middle-class way of thinking when it comes to their finance and business ventures — focused on safety, comfort, fear, and logic.

Siebold’s breakdown doesn’t attack the middle class — it simply exposes how certain mental habits block growth. The real power lies in becoming aware of these patterns so we can evolve beyond them.

Who is Steve Siebold?

Steve Siebold is a professional speaker, author, and mental toughness coach best known for his work on peak performance and mindset, especially as it relates to wealth building and success. He is the author of several influential books, most notably:

• “177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class”

• “How Rich People Think”

• “Secrets Self-Made Millionaires Teach Their Kids”

What makes him stand out?

Steve Siebold built his career studying world-class performers — self-made millionaires, champion athletes, CEOs, and top performers — to figure out what separates the elite from the average in terms of mindset, habits, and thinking patterns.

He personally interviewed and studied more than 1,300 of the world’s wealthiest and most successful people over the course of several decades. From that, he created a framework for helping people develop “mental toughness” — the ability to handle pressure, think clearly under stress, and pursue big goals without being ruled by emotion or fear.

This list is a mirror. Now without judging yourself and others allow it to help with self-awareness. When I first read it a few years ago, I saw areas where I was thinking big but had my shortcomings and from that awareness I began shifting toward a more empowered, world-class way of operating which I still battle with phaha! When we fall down we must get up!!!! For example, I’ve read and listened to The 5AM Club multiple times. Do I wake up at 5AM every blessed day yet? Nope. Not because I don’t understand the value — but because, based on how I operate, I don’t practise militant discipline with myself and that’s a conscious choice. So I wake up that early on most days and this works for me! Some days when I remember the 5 second rule by Mel Robbins I will do it but most times I don't need to. This is from practice and from experience, whenever I’ve swung the pendulum too far in one direction, it’s only a matter of time before it swings just as hard the other way. So I’ve learned that for me, lasting change happens gradually — not overnight.

So as you read through these 25 contrasts, don’t just nod in agreement.

Ask yourself: Where am I still operating from fear? From safety? From scarcity and most importantly —Where am I ready to upgrade?

Here’s the list that changed the way I see the game:

1. The Middle Class competes. The World Class creates.

2. The Middle Class avoids risk. The World Class manages risk.

3. The Middle Class lives in delusion. The World Class lives in objective reality.

4. The Middle Class loves to be comfortable. The World Class is comfortable being uncomfortable.

5. The Middle Class has a lottery mentality. The World Class has an abundance mentality.

6. The Middle Class hungers for security. The World Class doesn’t believe security exists.

7. The Middle Class sacrifices growth for safety. The World Class sacrifices safety for growth.

8. The Middle Class operates out of fear and scarcity. The World Class operates from love and abundance.

9. The Middle Class focuses on having. The World Class focuses on being.

10. The Middle Class sees themselves as victims. The World Class sees themselves as responsible.

11. The Middle Class slows down. The World Class calms down.

12. The Middle Class is frustrated. The World Class is grateful.

13. The Middle Class has pipedreams. The World Class has vision.

14. The Middle Class is ego-driven. The World Class is spirit driven.

15. The Middle Class is problem oriented. The World Class is solution oriented.

16. The Middle Class thinks they know enough. The World Class is eager to learn.

17. The Middle Class chooses fear. The World Class chooses growth.

18. The Middle Class is boastful. The World Class is humble.

19. The Middle Class trades time for money. The World Class trades ideas for money. 20. The Middle Class denies their intuition. The World Class embraces their intuition.

21. The Middle Class seeks riches. The World Class seeks wealth.

22. The Middle Class believes their vision only when they see it. The World Class ...... knows they will see their vision when they believe it.

23. The Middle Class coaches through logic. The World Class coaches through emotion. 24. The Middle Class speaks the language of fear. The World Class speaks the language of love.

25. The Middle Class believes problem solving stems from knowledge. The World Class believes problem solving stems from will.

So what do you think? Do you agree with the list and have you ever seen it laid out for you like this before? It would be great to hear your thoughts.