Suze School: The Six Secrets to Suze’s Success

Summary

Podcast Summary: Suze Orman's Women & Money (And Everyone Smart Enough To Listen) Episode: Suze School: The Six Secrets to Suze’s Success
Release Date: January 26, 2025
Host/Author: Suze Orman Media

In this enlightening episode of Women & Money, Suze Orman delves into the heart of her personal and professional success by unveiling the "Six Secrets to Suze’s Success." Joined by her co-host Katie (KT), Suze shares decades of wisdom encapsulated in six powerful principles designed to guide listeners toward financial freedom and personal fulfillment. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to transform their relationship with money and themselves.

1. Putting Your Needs First

[04:58] Katie: "Number one, the day you put your needs in front of others' wants is the day you will have really started on your road to financial freedom."

Suze emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between needs and wants. She asserts that prioritizing personal financial needs lays the foundational stone for lasting financial security. Suze advises listeners to clearly identify their needs—such as building an emergency savings account—and consistently allocate resources to meet these needs before succumbing to others' desires.

[05:13] Susie Orman: "You need to know what your needs are. What do you need to be happy? What do you need to be secure? What do you need to feel powerful?"

By understanding and prioritizing their financial needs, individuals can embark on a sustainable path to financial independence.

2. Fulfillment Leads to Success

[06:45] Katie: "Number two, success alone will never, ever lead you to fulfillment. Fulfillment will always lead you to success. It's one of my favorites."

Suze challenges the conventional notion that success, often measured by material achievements, inherently brings happiness. She contends that true success is rooted in personal fulfillment. Without inner satisfaction, external success remains hollow.

[07:02] Susie Orman: "If you can do something that truly fulfills you, it will always lead you to success. Financially, spiritually, emotionally, on all levels."

Suze shares anecdotes illustrating how inner fulfillment can manifest as tangible success across various aspects of life, urging listeners to seek fulfillment as a precursor to true success.

3. The Elephant Keeps Walking as the Dogs Keep Barking

[09:45] Katie: "Number three... the elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking."

This metaphor serves as Suze’s affirmation to remain steadfast amidst criticism and negativity. As Suze climbed the ladder of success, she encountered jealousy and disparaging remarks. The "elephant" symbolizes her unwavering progress despite the "dogs" that bark or attempt to undermine her efforts.

[10:16] Susie Orman: "I was going to keep walking and going forward and helping people and create goodness in other people's lives, regardless of what all the dogs, the reporters, the articles were saying about me."

This principle encourages resilience and focus, reminding listeners to continue their journey despite external noise or opposition.

4. If You Think You Can't, You Never Will

[12:50] Katie: "Number four... If you think you can't, you never, ever, ever, ever will."

Suze highlights the profound impact of self-belief on personal success. Negative self-talk and doubt can sabotage one’s potential, while positive affirmations and confidence can unlock doors to achievement.

[12:57] Susie Orman: "Your words, your thoughts and your actions are more powerful than you have any idea... your words have the power to create or the power to destroy."

She encourages listeners to cultivate empowering thoughts and eliminate self-doubt to realize their full potential.

5. No Shame or Blame Big Enough to Keep You from Being Who You Are Meant to Be

[15:56] Susie Orman: "The shame of your credit card debt. Do you think that should keep you from being who you are meant to be?"

Suze addresses the crippling effects of shame and blame on personal growth and financial health. Whether it's debt or past mistakes, holding onto shame can prevent individuals from pursuing their true selves and achieving financial freedom.

[16:10] Katie: "No shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be."

By letting go of shame and taking responsibility for their circumstances, listeners can move forward and create the lives they aspire to lead.

6. The Three Gatekeepers: Kindness, Necessity, Truth

[20:38] Katie: "Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?"

The final secret revolves around the "Three Gatekeepers" that Suze advocates for every word, thought, and action. Before expressing or acting on any idea, individuals should assess whether it is kind, necessary, and true.

[20:42] Susie Orman: "May every word that you say, every thought that you think, and every action that you take... pass through the three gatekeepers."

This practice promotes mindful communication and actions, ensuring that interactions are constructive, purposeful, and honest.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Suze Orman and Katie reinforce the idea that financial success is intrinsically linked to personal growth, self-awareness, and intentional living. By adhering to these six secrets, listeners are equipped with a holistic approach to managing their finances and nurturing their personal well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• Suze Orman [05:13]: "You need to know what your needs are. What do you need to be happy? What do you need to be secure? What do you need to feel powerful?"
• Suze Orman [07:02]: "If you can do something that truly fulfills you, it will always lead you to success."
• Suze Orman [12:57]: "Your words, your thoughts and your actions are more powerful than you have any idea."
• Suze Orman [20:42]: "May every word that you say, every thought that you think, and every action that you take... pass through the three gatekeepers."

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners aiming to align their financial strategies with their personal values and aspirations, embodying Suze Orman's legacy as a transformative personal finance expert.

Transcript

[Susie Orman]

Hi, everybody. Suzio here. Now, what is the goal of money? The goal of money is for you to be secure. And there is no better way for you to be secure than having an emergency savings account. It is essential for your financial foundation. So all of you should be participating in the ultimate opportunity savings account at Alliant Credit Union. Go to myalliant.com to find out more. And be secure.

[KT]

We are strong we are wise we will not apologize we are here we will thrive Together we will rise we're the open of faith and everything it takes we are strong we are wise Together we will rise we will rise.

[Susie Orman]

January 26, 2025 welcome, everybody, to the Women and Money podcast, as well as everybody smart enough to listen. So I know, I know today is supposed to be Susie's school.

[Katie]

No, it isn't. Guess who's in the studio.

[Susie Orman]

Tell them what happened this morning.

[Katie]

Guess who's in the studio.

[Susie Orman]

Tell them why you're in the studio.

[Katie]

So I woke up with a great idea, everybody. And I said, susan, Susie, please, please, I want to do Sunday's podcast with you. Why kt? And I say, because it's still the beginning of the year. We're at the end of January, and I have an idea, and I think everyone will love this.

[Susie Orman]

Now here's the problem, everybody. I don't have a clue what her idea is.

[Katie]

So all of you want to hear the title?

[Susie Orman]

Yeah.

[Katie]

Okay. It's called the Six Secrets to Susie's Success.

[Susie Orman]

What?

[Katie]

Yeah, it's the six Secrets to Susie's Success. So wait, let me tell everybody what that is. For years, for almost 25 years, maybe not all of these, but most of them, I've been hearing Susie impart incredible Susie isms and quotes and great information. Whether she's talking, being interviewed, or just meeting someone that needs help, or I'm.

[Susie Orman]

Talking to myself, or she just talks to herself.

[Katie]

Anyway, I've been collecting these and. And one day, when I have enough, I want to do something special with them. But right now, I'm going to share six of these susisms. They're quotes, they're things that she lives by. And because she lives by them, we all should live by them. And I especially live by number six. So what I'm going to do is I want to read what I've jotted down of what I remember and what she pretty much says.

[Susie Orman]

You sure you have them right?

[Katie]

I. They're pretty much right, but. But yeah, they're right.

[Susie Orman]

And if they're not, is it okay if I correct Them.

[Katie]

Susie's going to tell you what they mean. She's going to explain. I'm just going to read the six secrets.

[Susie Orman]

Did you ask me if this is what I want to do?

[Katie]

Tell us what this is what we're doing. Do you want to do it?

[Susie Orman]

Do I have a choice? Here we are.

[Katie]

Do you want to?

[Susie Orman]

I always want to do what you want me to do.

[Katie]

No, you want to do what everyone needs to hear from us.

[Susie Orman]

And I know you know that for everybody. So if you feel, I really love this, that you want to be on the podcast on Sunday. When?

[Katie]

Sunday. Sunday school. So this is Sunday school. We're imparting.

[Susie Orman]

We're going to the pt. Church. We're going to church.

[Katie]

No, it's not church, it's school. It's Sunday school. We're always in. You and I, we have a streamline direct line to God every day. We don't need church.

[Susie Orman]

Wait, school. Can I just tell everybody what I do say? Right? And people always say something to me like this, Susie, right? From your lips to God's ears. Know how everybody says that to me and what do I say to them? Oh, yeah, yeah. Trust me, right? He hears every word I say, every thought that I think, every action that I do. Everybody, I think it's important that you do. Take out your Susie notebooks and I think you should write these down because I can tell by the look on KT's face face that these are serious quotes. These are life transforming.

[Katie]

Well, they're mostly what you really believe in and live by. Okay? And then to make it easy for everyone at the end of this podcast and once it's released, I'm going to make sure that we put this on the women and money wall.

[Susie Orman]

All right? So for those of you who don't know, there is a woman and money community app. You can download it at Apple Apps or Google Play. It's absolutely free. And there's a wall there, the Suzy wall. And we have interesting kind of conversations there.

[Katie]

Anyway, okay, so here you go. Six secrets to Susie's success. Number one, the day you put your needs in front of others wants is the day you will have really started on your road to financial freedom.

[Susie Orman]

The most important part of that saying, what I say to myself, everybody, is the day you put your needs. Now listen, do you know what your needs are? Do you just live your life and you don't even do anything that you need to do? So the first part of that saying is that you need to know what you need. What do you need to be happy? What do you need to be secure? What do you need to feel powerful? You have to know what those things are. So you are to write down your needs. Let me just give you a very slight example really of what it would be. Here you are, and you're building up your emergency savings account. You're sending every month a hundred dollars into a Lion Credit union because you want to take advantage of the ultimate opportunity savings account, which I know so many of you are doing and you want to do, but yet your kids, it was the holiday time, or maybe it's their birthday or whatever it may be, they want a new pair of sneakers, and it's $100, and that's the hundred dollars that you need to send in every month to your savings account. You have to put your needs in front of others wants. And if you do that, that's when you really are on the road to financial freedom. Next, kt, what else?

[Katie]

That's great. Number two, I love this one. Success alone will never, ever lead you to fulfillment. Fulfillment will always lead you to success. It's one of my favorite. Susie really lives by this.

[Susie Orman]

Everybody you know, all of you strive for success, whatever that may mean to all of you. But mostly success means you're making a lot of money. You have a big house to show others, you have a fancy car, you're wearing fancy clothes, and you're just successful that way, but yet you really hate your job. You really don't like what you're doing, but you're attached to the paycheck. You're attached to everything that you have around you, but yet inside you're not fulfilled, I'm here to tell you then you're not successful. If that is true and you yourself are not fulfilled, you are not successful, when you can do something that truly fulfills you, it will always lead you to success. Financially, spiritually, emotionally, on all levels. So your goal is to have inner fulfillment and it will manifest with outer wealth.

[Katie]

Yeah. Love what you do.

[Susie Orman]

You know, kt, I just want to give you a little example of that. Last night, it's very funny. You pick that. I got an email from one of our relatives, all right? And in it he said to me, susie, I know I'm making a lot of money. I know everything's going great that way. I just don't like my job anymore.

[Katie]

Who was that?

[Susie Orman]

I'll tell you after the podcast, all right? And he said to me, can we talk about it? Because I'm getting sick. I'm not healthy. The financial Reward doesn't matter anymore. I need your advice on what should I do and how do I do it. So that's a perfect example of that saying. So your timing is funny on that because he also listens to the podcast every single week.

[Katie]

Okay.

[Susie Orman]

So he knows who he is. We will talk later today. He.

[Katie]

I'm just thinking it's not one of my brothers.

[Susie Orman]

No, it's on my side of the family. All right.

[Katie]

Yeah. Because my. None of my brothers are going to call saying money doesn't matter anymore. All right, here you go. So number three. This is probably Susie's personal most favorite, and I hear her impart this over and over and over again to people that really need it, but she has said it to herself for years.

[Susie Orman]

Oh, I'm so excited to hear.

[Katie]

Ready? This one.

[Susie Orman]

Should I guess it?

[Katie]

She's going to guess it. It's her. One of her. It's her favorite animal as well. The elephant keeps walking as the do keep barking. Susie loves this, and I think it's also something that was inspired from India. The elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking.

[Susie Orman]

Yeah.

[Katie]

What a great saying. What does that mean to you, Susan?

[Susie Orman]

I'm surprised you picked that one.

[Katie]

Is it one of your favorites?

[Susie Orman]

It is. There's two, as you know.

[Katie]

But this one, you really love this.

[Susie Orman]

But this one, I really love this one.

[Katie]

Probably because you've said it to yourself.

[Susie Orman]

And let me tell you why, everybody. I said it to myself so many times. It's interesting in life that as you're going up the ladder or getting more and more, whatever you're doing, you're expanding, everybody's rooting for you. And I'll just give you a personal example of my own life. As I started out being an author and I started to do things and my books were out there and I was making more money and getting famous, everybody was like, yeah, Susie, go for it, go for it. But once you get to the very, very top, which I did, you couldn't get much higher than I got at one point in time. But once you get up there, there are people who are jealous and it just for some reason, in my case and I think others, then people like to tear you down because negative press sells more than positive press. It just does everybody. And people started to write things about me, like, oh, Susie the floozy. And there was a magazine that came out that was filled with total lies about me. Like, there was an attack on me. Things would happen. Things just happen as you become more and more successful. So it's really important that you know who you are, what you are, and how do you keep going. So this saying the elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking was my visual of I was the elephant and I was just going to keep walking and going forward and helping people and create goodness in other people's lives, regardless of what all the dogs, the reporters, the articles were saying about me at the time. And eventually the dogs just went away and I kept walking and here I am to this day.

[Katie]

She loves that one. I like that one too. I think it's important. And then number four, and this is great also for all of you out there that are listening to impart this what Susie believes to your kids. And I'll tell you why, because I love saying it. If you think you can't, you never, ever, ever, ever will.

[Susie Orman]

Yeah, so there you go.

[Katie]

That's such a simple, simple thought. If you think you can't, you never, ever, ever, ever will.

[Susie Orman]

I think what's important there to understand everybody that I finally got in my own life is that your words, your thoughts and your actions are more powerful than you have any idea, especially your words if you say you can't. And funny, kt, that you did this because if you remember, I don't know if it was a Susie school or not, but I did a thing on what can't means versus right. And I did this whole thing, but this one actually is a condensed version of and I'm just going to expand on it kt, because we have the time to be able to do so is your thoughts create your destiny. And it's so important for you to really, really get that. There's a saying that what you think you eventually say, what you say. Your words become your actions. Your actions actually become your habits, kt and your habits become your destiny. So every single thing starts with your thoughts that turn into your words that turn into your actions. So when you say you cannot do something, then the truth of the matter is you won't be able to do it. So you all have to understand the power that you have within you because your words have the power to create or the power to destroy. And the choice is up to you. So if you look at your life right now, look at what you have created. How did you create that? Look at the things that you've done in your life again, write them down that you never, ever thought you could do. How did you do that? How did you get there? And then look at the things that you wanted to do, but you never did. Why didn't you. Where did that start?

[Katie]

You know what that one makes me think of? Just to diverse a little bit. If you think you can't, you never ever, ever will. It reminds me of all the people years ago that said, susie, I can't get out of debt. How can I do this? And then years later, after listening to you and following simple, simple baby steps and instructions, we get letters of not only how they're out of debt, but they became millionaires. Amazing. Yeah, yeah, we're going to have to share that one day with everyone. So I hope you like this everybody, because I just think they're great to live by.

[Susie Orman]

Wait, do you care I like doing this?

[Katie]

No, you do. I know she does. These are hers. She lives by all of this. These are Susie's like 10 commandments, but there's six.

[Susie Orman]

I have like 50 of them. How come you didn't do them all?

[Katie]

Because I just wanted six. Just to remember number five. There's no shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be.

[Susie Orman]

I love that one.

[Katie]

That one's really emotional, it's personal. And it's really important that everyone understands there's never a shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be.

[Susie Orman]

I love this one, Katie. And the reason everybody, I love this one so much is. Listen, we all do things in our lives, every single one of us, and we have to learn to rise above the things that we have done that maybe we have shame about or we're blaming others for or whatever it may be. You can't let the things that you feel bad about. You can't let the things that you're angry about keep you from being who you are meant to be. You did something, you say you're sorry, somebody did something to you, okay? You have to to let it go. What are the three internal obstacles to wealth? Fear, shame, and anger.

[Katie]

That's so true.

[Susie Orman]

So you don't have money. You're getting deeper and deeper into credit card debt, and yet you haven't told anybody about it. The shame of your credit card debt. Do you think that should keep you from being who you are meant to be? Don't be ashamed of anything in your life. If you've done something, tell somebody about it. Which is why I would say to all of you, if you have credit card debt, tell everybody you know. And as soon as you start telling everybody you know you have credit card debt, you know what they'll say back to you? Oh, I do too. Right. And so it's if you've done things that you're ashamed of, if you feel ashamed, if you're blaming your past, if you're blaming that somebody has done something to you, you're not a victim to your circumstances. You're a victor. You are a creator of everything. So take that, turn it around and create the future. Create the person you really want to be. You can do that, but not if you dwell in shame and blame. And where it says, you know that there's no shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be. So who are you meant to be? Another exercise for yourself. So here you can go again. And write down what's everything that you're ashamed of in your life. What's everything that you're blaming somebody else in your life for? Write down, who are you meant to be in this life?

[Katie]

You're the world's personal finance expert, without a doubt.

[Susie Orman]

There you go. Right? But who am I meant to be? I'm somebody who I decided a long time ago what I'm meant to be. And what I meant to do is I meant to meet the needs, the people, places and times around me and offer my actions to God. That is who I am meant to be. So that's how I feel about my life. And the question becomes, who are you meant to be? Write it down and see what you can do.

[Katie]

All right, number six, this is the finale, everyone. Drum roll. Susie.

[Susie Orman]

Are you liking this?

[Katie]

K?

[Susie Orman]

Is that what you wanted in? Is it what you vision? Was this podcast what you meant it to be?

[Katie]

Yeah, this is what I meant it to be. Okay, so number six, everybody is my favorite. And it's my favorite because Susie, after 25 years of being with me, still says, KT, let's talk. And here's what she says, what you say to me all the time, and I'll give you a hint. The gatekeepers.

[Susie Orman]

Oh, oh, that's right here where you're going.

[Katie]

That's what I want Susie to share with you. But I want you to hear this in her words, because it's what I hear and it's what I need to always remind myself.

[Susie Orman]

We all do. I remind myself of it.

[Katie]

This is great. Everybody, share this with everyone you know, especially your family.

[Susie Orman]

May every word that you say, every thought that you think, and every action that you take, KT and everybody pass through the three gatekeepers. And those gatekeepers are, is it kind? Is it necessary? And is it true? So you're thinking something if it doesn't pass through those three gatekeepers, just stop thinking it. Change the thought. If you say something or you're about to say something before you say it, if you're not quite sure about it, does it pass through the three gatekeepers? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true? And every action that you take, just think about it. If you have any hesitation at all, does it pass through the three gatekeepers? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true? And you have to be careful here because sometimes you think you want to say something, it's a little bit harsh, it's true, it's necessary. But you get stuck on, is it kind? Is it kind to tell somebody the truth about themselves or whatever that maybe they don't want to hear? So you have to think about it. But most of the time, when you really love somebody or whatever it is and you want to say something to them that they might not want to hear, that doesn't make it not kind. It makes it that they need to hear it. But it has to pass through all three of those gatekeepers. So again, if you're going to do anything and it doesn't pass through all three of those gatekeepers, just stop and change it until it does.

[Katie]

Just that simple kt, it's my favorite one. Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?

[Susie Orman]

And those three gatekeepers will keep you from doing things that you're ashamed that you did or regret or regret or anything. And all of the things that we talk about really relate to those gatekeepers.

[Katie]

So there you have it, everyone. I call it the six secrets to Susie's Success. But it's really Credo's inspirations. Words that she's lived by and taught and imparted, not only for me, but for all of you. Listening to everyone that's read, followed or listened to her or watched her on television. But most important for herself. Yeah, Susie loves these and uses them in her life to guide herself. She inspires herself with her own inspiration.

[Susie Orman]

You know, and again, I'm just going to go back to this for a second. Everybody is that you never stop learning. You never stop growing. You also never stop having doubts, believe it or not. Can I do this? Should I do this? Is this the right thing? Oh, so and so tells me, don't do this, Susie. So it's what do I need to do versus what other people want me to do? What do I tell myself? What is it that I want? So all these things that Katie just chose today to do, I kind of like that you did this, kt.

[Katie]

Now she tells me.

[Susie Orman]

And if you think that's.

[Katie]

Wait. Now she tells me. Everybody.

[Susie Orman]

And if you think this is going to make it so that I don't do your Roth queen, Quizzy, you are so wrong.

[Katie]

I know, right? And that's number four. If you think you can't, you never, ever, ever, ever will.

[Susie Orman]

Right.

[Katie]

So I can conquer Roth. Yeah, I can. And I will.

[Susie Orman]

Can. Canceling any negativity, can.

[Katie]

I can.

[Susie Orman]

All right. So no matter where you are in life, on your spectrum of life, young, not so young, old, and really old, these are all sayings, secrets. Let them be your own little inner secret that helps you be who you really want to be and who you are meant to be. And what's meant to be today, by the way, Katie.

[Katie]

Oh, yeah, today's Taylor's birthday. Susie. We want to wish Taylor, our nephew who's in North Florida, a very happy, happy, happy birthday.

[Susie Orman]

You bet.

[Katie]

Taylor makes boys. Taylor has three sons, which are our great nephews. Right?

[Susie Orman]

They're great nephews.

[Katie]

Great nephews. And he has 1, 2, 3. And. And I said to. To Katie, his wife. You think you're going to go for number four? And they looked at me and we said, we don't know. And I said, susie, how many boys on a soccer team?

[Susie Orman]

Happy birthday to you. So, Ms. Travis, since this was your podcast today, you take us out.

[Katie]

There's only three things we want you to remember, everybody, and that is people first, then money, then things.

[Susie Orman]

And if you do that, you stay strong. You stay safe. And guess what? Together, we will rise we are strong.

[KT]

We are wise we will not apologize we are here, we will thrive Together we will rise we're the faith and everything it takes we are strong, we are wise Together we will rise.