Poverty mindset & Self Belief

Poverty mentality is commonly found in people who have experienced poverty in childhood. It is a barrier to enjoying happiness and financial security. The remedy is to find ways of changing beliefs about money and focusing on what you have rather than what you don’t have; a process which sometimes requires assistance from a counsellor or coach.

There was a time that I didn’t even realise what a poverty mindset was, much less that it was a thing. I could see that there were successful people and not so successful people, people who are happy to work in a supermarket stacking shelves (nothing wrong with this) and people that are not. I couldn’t help but think what’s the difference between how these people think? I have always been very very determined, and driven towards a better life for myself and my family (Or running away from the life that I did have), but I didn’t realise that my mindset was holding me back my whole life. Every time I did well I would subconsciously sabotage because I didn’t think I was worthy of anything better.

All my effort and hard work wasted. The phrase work smarter, not harder comes to mind.

I remember the moment I was on the MOE training course in London and we were on the subject of a poverty mindset verses a growth mindset. That was a pivotal moment, so many lightbulbs were going off in my head and realisations dawning on me. Things suddenly began to make sense. I had the determination, the will and the want to make something of myself but I lacked self belief, and the right mindset. Because of my upbringing and past experiences I just didn’t believe I was worthy, and I would always beat myself up. I was incredibly hard on myself. Where was that ever going to get me?

I knew I needed to build my confidence, start believing in myself and start thinking very differently. It’s been a long process and something I am still working on now, however I now look at my achievements, and how far I have come, I accept myself warts and all (some days better than others) and can see my strengths and also know the areas I can work on to improve myself and my life. Progress leads to happiness.

I use my strengths and build upon them, knowing that I don’t have all the answers and that I am in a very lucky position to be able to learn from all the amazing people I am lucky enough to meet.

A poverty mindset can effect everything, it means that you may not have the same opportunities that others have had, and if you are lucky enough to realise that you are just as worthy as anyone else to have the life that you desire whilst you are still young enough to do something about it, you may still be years behind others who had a childhood of abundance either financially, or emotionally or both. This seems unfair and unjust.

A poverty mindset can hold you back in so many ways, it can leak into everything, how you feel about yourself, your education, your beliefs about what work you can do or not do, and how far you will push yourself. When in actual fact through learning, courage, self development and with the right support, encouragement and conditions you can overcome anything. This can therefore affect whether or not you feel you are worthy to buy your own home, have nice clothes, go on holiday, experience opportunities that you may see other more, worthy, people experiencing. Have you ever wondered why some people just seem to brim with confidence and have it all at their finger tips?

Mindset - they see the positive and possibilities in everything, they don’t sabotage what they have, and are grateful but also know that they are worthy of more and just keep going. When you don’t feel worthy of something it is hard to keep hold of it.

A strong foundation from childhood, emotionally, environmentally, financially, with a loving supportive family system will give any child the very best start in life.

The stresses and strains of modern life, difficulties in relationships, financial issues, any threat to a stable home life, low emotional maturity from parents or their own underlying undealt with trauma or issues can all lead to a poverty mindset, and this can go on for generations. There are patterns of behaviour which keep repeating until someone makes the change that they want to see.

I am passionate about inspiring others to believe in themselves and helping them to fulfil their potential. I want everyone to know that they have just as much right as anyone to do what ever they want to do, to follow their dreams, their passions and their burning light within.

Live the life you want without doubt, without fear, without judgement in everything. Live your life for you, not for anyone else. Don’t be afraid.

It is never too late to change the way you think, to change the way you behave, or to change the way that you perceive the world and others to be.

We may all feel that we are not good enough from time to time. Are you going to believe the negative self limiting thoughts and unhelpful negative script that you tell yourself or are you going to believe in something better? Hope? Possibility? Growth and progress?

Anything is possible, believe in yourself. You were put on this planet for a reason. What is your reason going to be?

Deprivation of any kind in childhood can lead to a poverty mindset or limiting self beliefs, which can lead to a life lived in fear and stagnation, not hope or possibility.