5 Signs of A Poverty Mindset

We hear all the time about having a “Prosperity Mindset” or “Success Mindset” or “Abundance Mindset”. What we don’t hear about is the flip side or the “Poverty Mindset”. 

Maybe that’s because we are so used to it that it is invisible to us. Many are also taught a poverty mindset as a religious belief, thus feel that “having too much” separates them from God. In the spiritual community, there is this conflict going on – people understand that they deserve to have abundance and prosperity (two different things by the way), yet have these subconscious programs creating a mindset of poverty. They do all sorts of things to create abundance and prosperity, sometimes successful, sometimes not. 

Let’s be aware first: most of the world lives on so very little. Here in the U.S. the poverty level is equivalent to riches elsewhere in the world. It is important to keep that in mind, yet as I write that I also feel it as a limitation, a block, a reason to sabotage one’s self from having greater prosperity. It feels like a block because it is a comparison, it’s keeping score, which leads us right into the list! (which is in no particular order by the way) 

1)     It feels bad to have “too much” or more than others have.

Ever feel guilty because you have more than someone else, but not enough that you feel you can freely give of money? Have you ever put off purchases of needed items, even if you had the money because you didn’t want to seem “uppity” to others or appear to have more money than you really do? Do you feel you need to explain what a struggle it is to buy the necessary items you need? 

This is actually a MAJOR block to developing a Prosperity Mindset! When you are busy keeping score of who has less than you, your focus on your guilt, not helping others. Often we call this “humbleness” or “humility” but it really is neither. There is a distinct difference in the energy of “humility” and the energy of “guilt”.  Humility is a virtue, it is about recognizing and honoring that everything matters, that we are all important, none more than another.  Guilt is a form of regret. Therefore, in no way is guilt the equivalent of humility – and it should never be mistaken as such.

2)    You are jealous or envious of what others have.

Even jokingly, playfully saying “I’m so jealous of them!” is an indication of some real jealousy or envy somewhere within you. This is another way of keeping score – only this time you are scoring what you lack. Learning to have the discernment between being inspired by someone else and being envious is important. It is perfectly fine to be inspired to greatness by someone else’s greatness. However, when jealousy and envy enter the picture, there is this energy of wanting to take something from someone else, to “knock them down a peg”.  

Be happy for others and their successes, their prosperity, their wins. When those around you are moving forward, it is an indication that yours is coming too. If you get jealous or angry that “it’s working for everyone else but me!” you will surely block yourself. Likely there is a belief of undeserving or unworthyness that lies beneath that jealousy.

3)    Complaining about what you don’t have

First, understand that it is OK, and appropriate to want something different, something more than what you currently have! 

It is perfectly fine to say “I want a 5 bedroom house on 3 acres that is 15 minutes from town and in a nice neighborhood”. 

The problem comes when you hate or resent the housing you currently have. The same concept applies to your job, your vehicle, your clothes, pretty much everything. (Let’s leave interpersonal relationships out of this one for now.) Often I hear people (my husband has been way too good at this) “I’m making an observation, I’m not complaining.” or "It's reality!"
 You know the difference – in yourself and in others. True observations are made free from judgment or any feelings of “less than”. Any time judgment or feelings of inadequacy are in the mix – it’s a complaint. Stop it.

 If we create or at least co-create our own reality we have some power over it then. Stop complaining, use that power to make changes.

4)    Judgment of what others need

This one is interesting. Truly, what do we need? We need food, water, clothing and shelter to survive. What do we need to THRIVE? What do we need to be HAPPY? What do we need to SHARE LOVE?  Who decides what anyone needs? Who decides what YOU need? 

For instance, a teenage boy wants a full size bed. Parent says “You don’t need that” – more because of the cost of the bed than anything else. Does the boy need a full size bed? Not really. However, it will make his sleep better; there is room for the animals that sleep with him, and the dog he wants to get. What is the value of spending the extra money for a full size bed? Peacefulness and better disposition that comes from better rest. This means fewer arguments and less stress, which means more happiness. 

A lady I know has said “If you can afford to shop at Harris Teeter, you have too much money.” Judgment! Harris Teeter, PAH!  Try Whole Foods, EarthFare and the local Co-Op! Seriously, the people who shop at these “high end” stores are usually making dietary choices – based more on what their body needs than what their money says. Often these people have a large grocery budget and no money for other things like steady dance classes or music lessons. (thank goodness for Youtube!)  Why would someone do that?! Ok, let’s get the trend crap out of the way – there are people who will do it as a “status” kind of thing. They have their own issues, and a poverty mindset is not one of them. People would pay that kind of money for a different quality of food – because they feel better. Maybe it’s a serious disease like celiac disease. Maybe they have a kid on the autism spectrum and they are super sensitive to conventional foods. What is the pay off? Your body feeling good (or at least better). Your child in a reasonably balanced state, fewer melt downs. Spending the money on the food your body or your child’s body really needs is a choice. It’s a choice between money and health. It’s a choice between money and a more peaceful household.

What is valued varies between individuals. It serves no one to judge what anyone but yourself and your household needs. Even in your own house – each individual has unique needs.  The more needs that are met reasonably well, the happier and more peaceful everyone in your home will be – especially you! 

It’s ok to set, and even change as you grow, what you need.

5)    Misunderstanding Greed

Misunderstanding greed? What? Yes, greed is misunderstood. If ever you think that rich people are greedy – you misunderstand greed. You miss the point. Poor people can be greedy too. “Greed” implies that someone is unwilling to share what they have, and are willing to harm others for personal gain. Many rich people do neither. Many poor people do both. 

Greed is in no way exclusive to the upper class. When one displays distain for those who have more wealth, more health, more anything, they limit themselves. That distain may also be showing that they would hate themselves for doing the same thing – which is what creates the blocks. 

Why is it that so many people say “The rich only give to charity for the tax breaks.”? Unless that is a known fact that one is being “charitable” for personal gain, it’s a judgment. It may even be a projection of something you would do that you feel is wrong. We are taught in so many ways to be altruistic, that it is holy and pleasing to God, that it shows humility, that it is respectable. 

 Altruism actually means giving to others at the expense of yourself, meaning you are harming yourself and/or your family. It’s a martyr role, and in the end, no one is really helped. Often, the energy of lack expands instead of the energy of prosperity. 

Be happy for those with great wealth, health, relationships, and whatever it is you would like to see more of in your life. Stop seeing them as greedy – you really don’t know their story (most likely).  Chances are, if you did know their story – you would see them differently.

Take Your Mindset from Poverty to Prosperity 

Here I’ve listed 5 signs of a poverty mindset. I’ve also told of whys and wherefores. Now HOW do you get from a Poverty mindset to a Prosperity mindset? There are many ways. You choose what works for you. However, it all begins with awareness of self. Notice when there is that tinge of jealousy. Notice when there is that judgment of another. Notice when there is guilt. Notice when you are complaining. Then ask “why do I feel this way?” or “how is that”? The answers will come, and the changes can be made. 

Be gentle with yourself! A colleague of mine, who is much older than I, has made the observation that those of us who are younger put so much pressure on ourselves. We do. We want the benefits of our shifts NOW. What happens if you really allow yourself to grow into the next step, the next phase of your life? That’s what it’s really about – you have to grow out of the Poverty Mindset and into the Prosperity Mindset. It’s a process. 

Allow yourself the space, time and self-care to grow well.