This morning at my local gas station, I was behind someone in line buying lots and lots of scratch-off lottery tickets. When I noticed the total was over $600, I thought there had to be a mistake. However, he kept adding more and more till it reached $700 and eventually $800!
As you can imagine, it was taking a long time and I got to thinking. How does someone get to this point and can’t they see that they’re going nowhere in life? The gentleman looked the complete opposite of successful in every sense of the word.
But with a poverty mentality, it’s easy to avoid taking responsibly and keep looking for the handouts. Change takes work and it doesn’t happen overnight.
We must have a sense of direction, a sense of where we want to go. If we don’t, we’re going to take the path of least resistance. We’re human. We seek to avoid pain and get pleasure.
Maybe you don’t have a gambling problem. But, what are those things that you know you it would be better if you did something about them?
Is it spending more time with your kids or being a better listener to your spouse? What about getting back into shape, calling your friends more often, or reading more? Or, is it things like projects around the house or implementing those new ideas for your business? Do you spend too many of your precious minutes on Facebook or mindlessly surfing the web?
Think about where you want to go and what you want your life to look like. Then take responsibility and make small steps every single day.
Thanks @caritroyer for you thoughts on poverty mentality!
For me, it’s not being purposeful with my time. I have improved greatly since October, (ha, it’s only been a month, but still…) I am SO much better with not squandering my time. I used to spend hours on facebook, just looking at other people’s profiles etc. I still do spend quite a bit of time on peoples’ blogs, but it’s different. Here, I get challenged and inspired with ideas to improve my own life. On facebook, I mostly spent time becoming jealous of what others had that I did not.
Anyway, this is a good reminder to be intentional – in my relationship with Josh and spending my time wisely so that I have time to rest as well.
Well said, Alana. I too see blogs and Facebook as very different and I love how you made the comparison between being inspired with blogs and envious on Facebook. Also, I think rest is under valued too often.
So true. Poverty mentality. I have been thinking about that a lot lately. I do not want to live under this. Would love to hear your thoughts on this sometime! 🙂
Yeah, Char. Cari Troyer (@caritroyer) actually used the term “poverty mentality” after I had posted something about this on Twitter.
We only perform/live up to what you beliefs and standards are. Changes our beliefs and standards and we can change our lives.