Money is weird. We want it, we need it, but we’re often taught to feel like villains for chasing it. This is exactly why the You Deserve to Be Rich book by Deloris Jordan—yes, Michael Jordan's mother—hits such a raw nerve for so many people. It isn’t some high-level technical manual on shorting stocks or navigating the complexities of commercial real estate. Honestly, if you're looking for an Excel spreadsheet in book form, you're going to be disappointed. This is about the psychological basement of wealth. It’s about the stories we tell ourselves before we even open a bank account.
Most financial advice starts with "stop buying lattes." Deloris Jordan starts with "stop hating yourself."
It’s a different vibe.
The Core Philosophy Behind You Deserve To Be Rich
The book operates on a pretty simple, albeit controversial, premise: wealth is a birthright that most of us have been conditioned to reject. Now, I know what you're thinking. That sounds like some "Law of Attraction" fluff you’d see on a late-night infomercial. But when you look at the context of the Jordan family’s trajectory, the perspective shifts. We aren't just talking about sports money. We are talking about the mindset required to foster one of the most successful personal brands in human history.
Deloris Jordan focuses heavily on the concept of "The Gift." She argues that every individual has an inherent talent that is essentially a seed for financial independence. The problem? Most people are too busy pruning other people's gardens to water their own. It’s about self-worth. If you don't believe you deserve the surplus, you will subconsciously find ways to get rid of it. You’ll overspend. You’ll sabotage a promotion. You’ll stay in a dead-end job because it feels "safe" and "humble."
It’s Not Just About the Benjamins
When you dive into the You Deserve to Be Rich book, you realize it’s actually a spiritual and parental guide as much as a financial one. She’s big on the idea that wealth isn't just a number in a Chase app. It’s a state of preparedness.
Think about it this way.
If you won ten million dollars tomorrow, would you be rich? Most people say yes. History says no. Look at the staggering rate of lottery winners who go bankrupt within five years. They had the money, but they didn't have the "rich" identity. They felt like imposters in their own lives. Jordan’s writing attempts to bridge that gap before the money even arrives. She wants the reader to build the container first. If the container is cracked, it doesn’t matter how much water you pour into it.
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Why People Get the Keyword "Deserve" Wrong
The word "deserve" is a lightning rod. In our current economy, saying someone "deserves" to be rich can sound tone-deaf. We see rising inflation, stagnant wages, and the housing crisis. It feels almost offensive to suggest that wealth is a matter of deserving it.
But here’s the nuance people miss.
In the You Deserve to Be Rich book, "deserving" isn't about moral superiority. It’s not saying rich people are "better" than poor people. It’s an internal permission slip. It’s the act of de-programming the "poverty consciousness" that many of us inherited from parents who survived the Great Depression or lived through eras of extreme scarcity.
- It’s about overcoming the guilt of wanting more.
- It’s about recognizing that your labor has value.
- It’s about understanding that money is a tool, not a monster.
Jordan uses anecdotes that feel very "kitchen table." It’s conversational. It feels like getting advice from an aunt who has seen it all and isn't impressed by your excuses. She’s firm.
The Jordan Legacy and Financial Discipline
You can't talk about this book without talking about the Jordan family. While Michael is the face of the brand, the foundation was laid in a household that prioritized discipline and vision. Deloris wasn't just a spectator in Michael's career; she was a strategist.
The book emphasizes that being "rich" requires a level of boring, repetitive discipline that most people find exhausting. It’s about the "mundane excellence."
People love the flash. They love the highlight reels. They hate the 5:00 AM practice sessions.
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The You Deserve to Be Rich book translates this athletic discipline into financial terms. It’s about the long game. She talks about the importance of family legacy and the "generational" aspect of wealth. It’s not just about you being able to buy a boat; it’s about your grandkids having a different starting line than you had.
Breaking Down the "Wealthy Mindset" vs. "Poor Mindset"
Let’s get real for a second. There is a massive difference in how people view a dollar depending on their upbringing.
For some, a dollar is something to be spent before it disappears. It’s a fleeting resource. This is often a trauma response to poverty. If the lights might get turned off next week, you might as well enjoy the dollar today.
For the mindset Jordan advocates, a dollar is a "soldier." You send it out to bring back more soldiers.
Common Misconceptions About the Book
I've seen critics claim this is just another "get rich quick" scheme. It’s literally the opposite. If anything, it’s a "get rich slow and stay rich forever" book. It demands a level of self-reflection that is actually quite uncomfortable. You have to look at your spending habits and admit that they are often fueled by an emotional void rather than a practical need.
She also catches heat for being too "positive."
Look, toxic positivity is a real thing. But in the world of personal finance, your internal narrative is a massive variable. If you wake up every day thinking the system is rigged and you'll never win, you’re probably not going to look for the loopholes or the opportunities that actually exist. You’ll be blind to them. The You Deserve to Be Rich book is a lens-cleaner. It helps you see the opportunities that were there the whole time.
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Actionable Steps Inspired by Deloris Jordan’s Principles
If you're going to take this seriously, you can't just read the words and nod your head. That does nothing. You have to change the mechanics of your daily life.
- Audit your "Money Script." Sit down and write what your parents said about money. Was it "we can't afford that" or "how can we afford that?" The difference is a single word, but the psychological impact is a canyon.
- Identify your "Gift." What is the thing you do that feels like play to you but looks like work to others? That is your primary wealth-generator. Stop trying to get rich doing things you hate. It’s not sustainable.
- Build your "Circle of Success." Jordan is big on who you surround yourself with. If your five closest friends are broke and complaining, you will likely be the sixth. You don't have to ditch your friends, but you do need to find mentors who are where you want to be.
- Practice Gratitude for the "Seed." Even if you only have ten dollars, treat it with the respect you would give ten thousand. If you can't manage a little, you’ll drown in a lot.
The Reality Check
Is the You Deserve to Be Rich book the only thing you need? No. Of course not. You still need to understand taxes. You still need to understand compounding interest and the difference between an IRA and a 401(k). You need a budget.
But all the technical knowledge in the world won't save you if you have a "poverty soul."
I’ve seen people earn six figures and still live paycheck to paycheck because they were subconsciously trying to stay at the level of their peers. They felt "guilty" for making more, so they blew it on things they didn't need to prove they weren't "above" anyone. This book is the antidote to that specific brand of self-destruction.
Final Thoughts on the Path to Wealth
Wealth isn't a fluke. It's usually the result of a very specific way of looking at the world. The You Deserve to Be Rich book provides that viewpoint through the eyes of a woman who raised icons. It’s about dignity. It’s about the realization that poverty doesn't serve the world, and your success doesn't have to come at the expense of others.
Start by changing how you speak about your finances. Stop saying "I'm broke." Start saying "I'm currently managing my cash flow." It sounds silly, but language shapes reality.
If you want to move the needle, start with the internal work. Re-read the sections on self-worth. Understand that the market pays for value, and you have value. Once you truly believe that, the "how" of getting rich becomes a lot easier to figure out.
Go look at your bank account today. Don't look at it with fear or shame. Look at it as a starting line. No matter what the number is, it's just a data point. It's not a grade on your life. Your potential isn't capped by your current balance unless you decide it is.
Your Next Moves
- Track every cent for 30 days. Most people have "leaky" finances. You can't deserve wealth if you don't respect the money you already have.
- Read the book. Don't just skim the summaries online. Get the actual text and sit with the Jordan family's philosophy.
- Define your "Why." If you want to be rich just to show off, you'll burn out. If you want to be rich to provide security, freedom, and legacy, you'll have the fuel to survive the hard years.