8 ways rich people view the world differently than the average person

Self-made millionaire Steve Siebold spent 26 years interviewing some of the wealthiest people in the world before condensing his findings in his book "How Rich People Think."

He found that the secret to getting rich "is not in the mechanics of money, but in the level of thinking that generates it."

In addition to having larger bank account balances than most, rich people have different beliefs, philosophies and strategies.

According to Siebold, there are endless ways the rich view the world differently from the masses. Here we've highlighted eight.

while the average person believes being wealthy is a privilege.

"World-class thinkers know in a capitalist country they have the right to be rich if they're willing to create massive value for others," Siebold writes.

The masses think getting rich is reserved for a lucky few. "This distinction in thinking leads the middle class to the lottery and the world class to work," he says. "They [the wealthy] believe if they make life better or easier for others, it's their right to be rich."

while the average person believes starting a business is risky.

"The truth is, having a job is no safer than owning a business," Siebold argues. "As counterintuitive as this may seem, people who work for themselves have the power to proactively seek out business and increase revenues at will."

Of course, there are risks involved in starting a business, but wealthy people "know the greatest risk is not betting on themselves," Siebold says.

While rich people launch businesses and profit from them, average people settle for the steady paycheck and therefore miss out on the chance to generate a fortune, he says. "The masses almost guarantee themselves a life of financial mediocrity by staying in a job with a modest salary and yearly pay raises."

while the average person believes the wealthy are smarter.

"If the key to building wealth was excellent grades in school, every summa cum laude college graduate would be rich," Siebold argues. "Amassing money has more to do with street smart savvy than your ability to memorize information and excel on exams."

How do you become more savvy? Get inside the heads of people who are already rich, Siebold advises, and find out what they think and believe about money.

while the average person believes building wealth is an individual effort.

"The world class knows it takes a team to build wealth, and they focus much of their effort on finding the right people to leverage their actions and ideas," writes Siebold. "The greatest fortunes are built through the collective mental and physical contributions of a world-class team."

He contends that who you surround yourself with has more of an effect on your net worth than you may think.

while the average person believes making money is complicated.

"The masses have always thought that rich people are smarter, luckier or more educated. Of course none of these things is true," says Siebold.

The rich know that money flows from ideas and problem solving, he writes. "The bigger the solution, the bigger the paycheck," he says. "Making money may not be easy, but it is simple. There is no mystery to getting rich, but this limiting belief stops most people from ever trying."

while the average person believes money is earned through time and labor.

The middle class think about money in linear terms, Siebold explains, and "believe the only way to earn more money is to work more hours."

"The wealthy know big money requires thinking about it in non-linear terms," he writes. "The rich know that creative thinking is the highest paid skill in the world. … Training your mind to find solutions to difficult problems is the real secret to making money."

while the average person believes money is controlling.

"The rich see money as a positive tool that has the power to create freedom and opportunity for themselves and their families," Siebold explains.

By contrast, the average person sees money as "the great oppressor," he writes. "While the world class sees money as a critical resource that opens up endless possibilities, the middle class is demonizing it and denying its importance. With a mindset like this, is it any wonder most people don't have much?"

while the average person believes in working for money.

"The rich have always known working for the sole purpose of making money is the worst strategy for building wealth," says Siebold.

Don't look for jobs with the greatest salary potential, he advises. Rather, "focus on work that has the most fulfillment potential. Once you find it, invest so much heart and soul into your work that you become one of the most competent people in your field. You'll be rewarded with uncommon wealth."