Do you have a poverty mentality… and I’m not just talking about money? Poverty means lack; scarcity or dearth is also associated with poverty. Granted that poverty is typically referencing the lack of money this is a limiting perception. I’m also talking about abilities, goals, aptitudes, skills, etc. When you look at the definition of ‘mentality’ you discover that it is the mode or way of thought. So what is poverty mentality and what is its impact? Coupling the two definitions – poverty mentality is your view, your thought about lack, related to you.
Unfortunately, a poverty mentality may have absolutely nothing to do with reality – it’s your perception of your reality. And from that perception comes your behavior – if you believe yourself in lack then you will act poor. For some people it’s based in fear – not the fact of today but the fear of tomorrow when lack may define your situation. Again it may not have any relationship to reality… it’s the ‘possibility’, in this case.
A poverty mentality impacts everything you do and say. It tells you that you lack, and you can’t do anything to correct the situation – you were, you are, and you always will be in poverty. That sense of hopelessness is pervasive. Listen to the words of those who believe themselves poor and see if you don’t sense the helplessness in the words they use. With some it’s anger – that they have been dealt this hand – it isn’t right, it isn’t fair.
Poverty mentality is crippling. The problem is that most people do not see an answer. Since the answer begins with your view of you and what you can do and be, the answer is that you need a different paradigm. The ‘how’ you change is the second step. The beginning is to realize what you are doing to you and be willing to change… not the simplest step but the most crucial. The rest of the journey isn’t easy but this first step is gargantuan for some. What do YOU need to do to begin…
