ESCAPING THE POVERTY MINDSET

Hunger is a bi-product of poverty. I know this because I have first hand experience. When I started my entrepreneurial journey, my biggest wish then was to be able to afford a full chicken with 5 alive at Mr Biggs’.

This may not make any sense to you but given my experience with poverty, being able to afford to eat a full chicken and a whole 5 alive pack was the height of enjoyment for me, it was my motivation and when I made the money, I would walk into the nearest Mr Biggs’ branch, order the food and finish it then if I had some change, I end the day with a mixture of milk and Maltina. Enjoyment right? If you think it’s enjoyment, you have been shaped by your experience. If you think it’s not enjoyment you have also been shaped by your experience.

Dave Partner, our Yoot superintendent, always emphasizes that poverty can give you stewpid skills but not just skills, it will give you a messed up life. To be able to break free from poverty, you need to get out of that mindset and the life it has given you.

That is the reason why a poor man will finish 22 slices of bread but a rich man can’t even eat 3 slices. Do an analysis of your goals and vision, if it is centered around poverty motivated needs like the need to impress other people or the need to use luxurious things or eat good food like mine, then your live is driven by poverty and you need to come out of it.

I was consulting for an international organization at a time and the company put me in a hotel which offers buffets twice a day. I would eat until I had to run to the toilet and I did that every day for one week. There was a lady who would come to the buffet take a cup of tea and leave. I couldn’t understand why she liked to waste money but now I do. I won’t bore you further with my poverty stories but look at your life, look at your vision, is it driven by poverty? If yes, you don’t have to be ashamed, you just need to be intentional about changing. Do things that will help you break free.

Traveling is a good way to break free from poverty mindsets, borrow money to travel if you can. Bayo Lion Adedeji‘s Wakanow have pay small small plans. It’s a great investment for your mind. But if you can’t travel, read wide. Go on YouTube and search for videos about different parts of the world, their people, history, culture etc. Gradually you will loose your poverty mindset. I will continue this in another post.