Most people would like to become filthy rich, but the fear of what needs to be done in order to accomplish that goal may seem overwhelming and scary. Unfortunately, many of these fears are based on lies, and it’s time to debunk them. Here are the top 20 lies about becoming wealthy that are holding you back:

20. Say yes all the time.
Successful people say no most of the time. If you can’t muster the courage to say no, think about the consequences of not doing so. By saying yes to everything, you’ll end up spreading yourself too thin and will not be able to focus on the things that truly matter. When you say no, you create space in your life for the things that you truly value.

19. Never make a mistake.
Failure is necessary for success. It teaches you what works and what doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, embrace them and learn from them. It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all.

18. Be at the right time at the right place.
Your legwork is what makes it possible for you to be at the right time and place. The more effort you put in, the more opportunities you create for yourself. Success isn’t about being lucky, it’s about being prepared and open to opportunities.

17. Be stingy.
Wealthy people contribute more to their friendships. As a result, those around them give back in kind. When you give to others, you get back in return, if you spend time with the right people. Hoarding your resources and being stingy won’t get you very far.

16. If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself.
Get the right advice, outsource, delegate, automate, and take advantage of what’s available. Being a one-person show will get you burned out and limit your potential. Let go of your ego and the need to micromanage. Instead, magnify your efforts. It may cost a little upfront time and money, but the dividends down the road will be enormous.

15. Don’t Invest.
I know, I know. Your money is always invested in something, whether it’s currency or your time. If you don’t invest in anything, your money gets eaten away by inflation, losing half its value every twenty years. If you don’t invest in yourself, you become obsolete. Always invest in yourself, and once you have wealth, invest it appropriately.

14. Invest in the stock market.
When done right, investing in the stock market is a great way to become rich, slowly. Most people will benefit from this sound financial advice, but investing in the stock market won’t get you filthy rich unless you already have money or have more than a decade or two to wait. Trying to get rich quick in stocks is one of the fastest ways to lose most of your money.

13. Your gain is someone else’s loss.
Wealth is created, not stolen. If that confuses you, think about where money comes from and how the first person became wealthy. They didn’t do it by taking from others. They couldn’t have; it didn’t exist yet. Becoming wealthy doesn’t divide the pie; it grows the pie.

12. Wealth must come at the expense of the environment.
If you create value, you save people time and money, both of which require effort. Less effort means fewer resources are needed from the environment. You can also create value by innovating in ways that reduce pollution or benefits the environment directly. You can even give a portion of your gained wealth to improve the environment in a style that suits you.

11. Spend more time and money.
Test marketing and product roll-out is easier than you think, and you can leverage other people’s time and money in most cases. If you lack funds, you can invest time. If time’s in short supply, make time by reducing aspects in your life like watching television or doing ineffective tasks.

10. The customer is always right.
Always strive for impeccable customer service, but if you have the authority, dump customers that are a time suck and mental drain. Give a refund and refuse business if you must. Unreasonable customers cost companies valuable resources, which could be used more effectively to improve the bottom line.

9. Be a white male.
There are so many non-white male self-made billionaires now that Forbes puts them into their own categories. Wealth doesn’t discriminate based on gender or ethnicity.

8. Be attractive.
Look at Google images for billionaires and millionaires. There are plenty with less than average looks. Appearance doesn’t determine success.

7. Don’t become an artist.
We are all artists in our own way, every single one of us. Pursuing your passion and creativity can lead to wealth and success.

6. Have a high IQ.
There is some evidence that shows a relationship between IQ and income, but that’s not always the case when talking about wealth. There are numerous examples of filthy rich people with below average IQ or those in poverty with high IQ.

5. Be born in the United States.
Wealthy people are created from countries around the world all the time.

4. Come from a wealthy family.
Many self-made millionaires and billionaires didn’t come from wealthy families, and even if you do, that doesn’t mean wealth is guaranteed. It’s the habits and systems you develop that will ultimately lead to your success.

3. Come from a stable family.
No matter what kind of family you come from, you can still achieve wealth. Your past doesn’t define your future, and you have the power to create the life you want.

2. Don’t have a mental or physical disability.
Jon Morrow and many other disabled individuals have overcome their limitations and achieved wealth. Your disability doesn’t have to hold you back from achieving your goals.

1. Don’t be a single mom.
Danisha Danielle Hoston and many other single mothers have overcome immense challenges to become successful and wealthy. Being a single mom doesn’t have to limit your potential.

In conclusion, the fear of what it takes to become wealthy is based on lies and misconceptions. Wealth doesn’t discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, family background, or disability. The habits and systems you develop, and the effort you put in, are what ultimately determine your success. Pursue your passion, take advantage of opportunities, and don’t be afraid of failure. With hard work and determination, you too can become wealthy.