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Food for Living: Kick Out That Poverty Mentality
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It is generally believed that poverty is a disease. According to some schools of thought, poverty is infectious. These schools of thought believe that when you hang around with poor people, you’ll subconsciously begin to think and act like them. That’s why it’s highly imperative to be around great minds, and if possible, wealthy minds who have achieved genuine success. A popular saying has that if you are around nine billionaires, it won’t be long before you become the tenth billionaire.
Let’s contrast a poverty mindset as against a wealthy mindset with the full knowledge that a mindset is a lens through which we view the world. A poverty mindset is a set of beliefs and behaviors which has been subconsciously ingrained into one’s life. It comprised perceptions and attitudes that inform one’s thoughts and decisions. A wealthy mindset is a set of beliefs, habits, and behaviors that separates the wealthy from the rest.
Poverty mindset is commonly found in people who have experienced poverty in childhood. When you’ve got a poverty mentality, your mindset is fixed on a strong belief that everything is hard to get, i.e. it’s difficult to make money, get ahead in a career, make friends, and so on. In fact, you see life as a struggle or an uphill battle.
A poverty mindset makes you live in fear; it makes you feel you can’t achieve anything. It’s like tying a baby horse to a chair, the horse will grow to believe that the chair is responsible for his inability to move, not knowing that it is held bound by his mindset, and if only it can attempt to move, it will overcome any limitation surrounding it. But guess what? You can change your mindset. You are in control, you can re-engineer how you think.
To know someone who has a poverty personality, such a person normally always highlights a state of lack, the person always believe he or she cannot afford or attract what they need, the person plays the victim mentality, for instance, the person feels the wealth of some person is responsible for their misery. He always feels things will never change. Therefore, think, reflect and see if these signs are applicable to you.
The biggest misconception when it comes to wealth is that only people with millions of dollars in their bank accounts are “wealthy.” But that’s’ a fallacy because true wealth lies in ideas. It should be noted that lack of money is not only a result of finances but also, ideas. In fact, the greatest reason why most people are poor is as a result of a lack of ideas.
Some uninformed minds are quick to believe that provided they have “money”, they are smart. If the only thing you have is money, you are poor. This is because you should be able to get to a stage in life where your goodwill should be able to attract opportunities and favour for you. Let me put this in proper perspective, if you are given one million dollars and you have no idea of what to do with it, you’ll lavish the money with the hope that another money will come in. That’s simply how the poverty mindset works. But if you have ideas, you’ll invest money for good cause, no matter how little.
In our contemporary society, ideas run the world. Men of ideas are not only respected, but they are valued. According to Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” The question you should be asking yourself is, whose voice am I listening to? Who are am I associating with? If I am working with the same people in the same environment, am I likely to achieve my vision? If your answer is no, it’s high time you told yourself the honest truth. Remember, you can lie to others, but you can never lie to yourself.
Sign of Poverty Mentality
Blame Game
Poor minds are always fond of playing the blame game. You blame everyone and every circumstance for any misfortune that come your way. You blame the economy, government, your employer, your spouse, your parents for everything. You fail to realize there’s a universal law that says, “What you focus on expands”. People who play this card always have an entitlement mentality.
Poor Mindset
According to Lao Tzu: “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” Most times we think just because we can’t afford something, we feel it is far from our reach. According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “We become what we think about all day long. “Norman Vincent Peale opines, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
To Develop a Wealth Mindset?
The best part of developing a wealth mindset is that you can start immediately — by education, strategizing, and then take action. You can do this by saying, “I am good enough.” “I can succeed” “I will be rich.” This is called a shift in mindset.
Think Big
Use your thoughts to change your perception to life. Kick out any negative thoughts that tells you your environment or family background will limit you from becoming wealthy. Get into a group of big thinkers by investing in yourself. Attend courses, programmes, and events of interest to gain clarity.
Have an Abundance Mindset
Being consciously aware that you need to change how you think is the starting point. An abundance mindset is a belief that there’s plenty of everything for everyone, and lots of time to get it. When you have an abundance mindset, lack disappears. You can use the law of attraction to attract what you need. You can practice using gratitude and positive affirmations to change your mindset from a poverty mindset to a wealth mindset. When you spend time appreciating what you have (e.g. people, places, things, and character traits), you move into a much more positive mental space.
Poverty mentality is not only limited to money and ideas, it is also related to personality and attitudes. For instance, as a student, your grades are not enough for you to get a job, employers also look at your personality and vision to life. As a single lady, men are not only interested in your beauty, they scale up their search to know if you have a good character. As an entrepreneur or businessman/woman, your customers are not only concerned about your product, they also look to see how you treat them. As a job seeker, you can kick out the entitlement and poverty mindset by volunteering or working as an intern, by so doing, an opportunity can be created for you.
In conclusion, I will advise and suggest you sit down and evaluate your thoughts, actions, mindset, friends, and most importantly evaluate your life and ask yourself, am I existing or living? Do you see yourself reaching or living the kind of life you aspire with the kind of thoughts and lifestyle you are living today?
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a mindset coach and self-discovery expert. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your Birthright To Success and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
Suspected terrorists have reported invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSSS), Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, of Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, killing the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and abducting an unspecified number of students.
Zaragoza reports that a resident, Malama Murjanatu Hassan Gishiri, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the attackers stormed the school at night and operated freely, throwing the community into panic.
The resident was said to have described the invasion as “a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire region into deep fear and mourning”, adding that the bandits moved in large numbers and overpowered the area without resistance.
Gishiri said the late Vice Principal was shot while attempting to protect students from the attackers.
“People in the community have been offering prayers for his soul, asking Allah to grant him mercy, a peaceful resting place, and to console his family over this painful loss,” she said.
The people of Maga further appealed to the government to act swiftly to rescue the abducted students, saying they may not have gone far, and to strengthen security around schools and communities in the area, which have suffered repeated attacks by bandits.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has signed a landmark Internet connectivity agreement with the Imo State Government through its Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Governance.
Globacom disclosed in a press statement that the deal which is the largest single fixed Internet connectivity project in the history of Globacom’s Enterprise Business Group marks a significant milestone in the State’s drive towards achieving a fully digital economy, e-governance structure, and the establishment of a Smart City in Owerri, the state capital.
According to the telecommunications giant, the deal accentuates its pivotal role in delivering robust telecommunications infrastructure and next-generation digital solutions across Nigeria and beyond. The project will empower the company to provide high-capacity Internet connectivity to critical locations within the State, including the Smart City project in Owerri—home to 15 mega buildings—as well as the Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Governance, and the Imo State University for Innovation, Science and Technology, formerly Imo State Polytechnic.
Said Glo, “Our Glo-1 submarine cable, which connects Nigeria directly to Europe through our privately-owned international fibre optic network, will form the backbone of this ambitious project. The Glo-1 infrastructure guarantees superior bandwidth capacity, minimal latency, and highly secures connections, making it ideal for supporting the State’s digital transformation agenda and enhancing the efficiency of public services”.
The company added that the partnership with the Imo State Government will strengthen its commitment to providing reliable, high-quality connectivity that drives socio-economic progress and bridges the digital divide across Nigeria.
Furthermore, Globacom said: “We are honoured by the confidence reposed in Globacom by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Hope Uzodinma and his team,” adding that “This partnership is a testament to our technical capability, nationwide coverage, and proven efficiency in delivering enterprise-grade connectivity solutions. We will work closely with the State’s technical team to ensure timely delivery of the project and to support Imo’s vision of a thriving digital economy.”
“Imo State is setting a remarkable example for other states in Nigeria by leveraging technology to improve governance, education, and business efficiency. “We applaud the Governor’s focus on empowering the youth and building an innovation-driven economy. This partnership aligns perfectly with Globacom’s mission to power Nigeria’s digital future, enhance the State’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure and training initiatives for young people which will create new employment opportunities, stimulate innovation, and accelerate sustainable economic growth”.
Globacom has sustained its imposing presence in every region of Nigeria backed by its resilient network that traverses West Africa. The company has its footprints in digital connectivity solutions for both public and private sectors. Its advanced infrastructure — anchored on the Glo-1 international fibre network, extensive metro fibre coverage, and resilient enterprise systems — ensure that institutions, governments, and businesses can rely on seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity.
The network called on other state administrations to emulate Imo State’s bold initiative by embracing strategic digital partnerships saying, “The future belongs to states and nations that invest in technology and connectivity. We encourage other governments to partner with Globacom in building digital infrastructures that can power education, commerce, governance, and innovation. Together, we can strengthen regional economies, create opportunities for millions, and drive poverty out of our communities.”
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Wealth is of the mind, and not necessarily the amount of money in one’s pocket or in the bank. It takes a great mind to know that if the only thing one has is money, that person is poor because at a stage in life, money may not play any role. It is worth noting that for one to pay for everything they need in life, it’s either they are poor, or you haven’t invested in anyone.
It’s always good therefore, to live for humanity. Life is not about ‘me’, but about humanity. When you consider other people, life works out for you. This is a timeless principle I have adopted overtime, especially when I see a progressive mind who is hungry to learn.
One of the reasons most people are poor is simply because they have the wrong mindset, ideology and information. It’s instructive to know that when you learn well, you stand a better chance of earning well because the more you know, the more you get paid. Nobody pays anyone what they desire, but what they deserve.
Let me explain a little; a poor mind will think a rich man is wasting money by paying triple for a three-bedroom apartment in a porsche neighborhood while a rich mind will think he’s paying for security, and peace of mind.
Again, a poor mind will think a rich man is being extravagant when he buys a luxury perfume or watch when he can buy a decent perfume which ordinarily will perform the same service, but a wealthy mind knows that in the real world, life is governed by perception. According to Dr. Joe Abah, “as a man, there are three things you shouldn’t compromise: solid watch, good shoes and nice perfume”. He further went on to state you can be as casual as you like but once those three things are present, you don’t need to tell anyone you are decently comfortable.
Do you see that life is not about how much you have, but how you manage what you have, but more importantly, how you people perceive you. Some people might have money, but they will find it difficult to invest in their outlook by buying decent clothes, perfumes, shoes and watches.
Another great source of wealth is information. Like I always say, information is power. If you are not informed, you are ill-informed, and once you are ill-informed, you can’t perform because information leads to reformation and transformation. So, it’s fair to say information leads to formation. You are a product of what you know.
It’s sad that many people don’t take time to invest in themselves by buying books of interest, paying for certification courses to enhance their knowledge, or even volunteering their time to intern to learn how great or successful people think.
When rich minds invest their minds to seek knowledge to gain information and knowledge which will set them apart from their contemporaries, they tend to gain access to opportunities in which they can earn decent money, entitled minds will begin to beg for money. That’s poverty mindset.
It should be noted, nobody owes you anything, most people worked hard to get to where they are today. They didn’t succeed because they looked nice, or luck favored them. Yes, those might be contributory factors, but the sacrosanct truth remains that, in civilized climes, they did the work, after all, luck is opportunity meeting preparation. If they were not prepared, the opportunity would have slipped by, and they would not have succeeded.
When we talk of wealth, it doesn’t only relate to money, wealth can also relate to how one thinks, speaks, acts, and prays. All these play critical roles in defining a human being. According to the Bible in Proverbs 17: 28, “Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue”. So if you are unsure about something, it is better to keep quiet because when you open your mouth, you tell the world who you are. So, when you meet a great mind, be careful how you engage them. That’s why it’s generally stated that it takes a minute for a great man to know if he likes someone who is seeking an opportunity. These great minds have six sense perception. They have the discerning minds to see through your mind.
There was a story I recently read from Dr. Femi Otedola’s book, “Making it Big”. The story is that of a young man who was trying to strike a deal with the business mogul. He came in an inferior car and was looking for a multi-million naira contract, Dr. Femi Otedola, being a shrewd businessman, evaluated the man and priced the him low, forcing him to grudgingly accept.
When the contact was sealed and the young man was about to leave, Dr. Femi called him back and asked him, do you know I priced you low? The man said no. Dr. Otedola said, it doesn’t make business sense to come with a cheap car to seek a multi-million business contract. What that really means is that you ought to dress the way you want to appear. Mr. Otedola, went on to inform him that in life, especially in business, perception rules.
Did you see it would have been better for the man to come in a decent car even though it doesn’t belong to him because he wouldn’t have been prized low. As a matter of fact, his value would have been elevated. The car opened a lot of canker worms about his mindset. Did you see that this statement corroborates with what the Bible stated in Proverbs 17:28.
The power of the mind can’t be overemphasized. Mindset cuts across every corner of our life. My late dad used to own a hospital with his brother, the motto of the hospital was “we care, but God cures”. That to me was very inspiring to know that doctors and nurses were limited in their thought process.
Furthermore, I once visited a general hospital in my hometown in Nigeria, each time I visited the hospital to see a patient, I discovered there’s always a gospel song in the background with a melodic soothing message to comfort everyone. In all honesty, even if one has given up hope of recovering, the song is capable of restoring hope. Again, that’s the power of the mind.
The moral here is that the mind controls everything. Napoleon Hill stated in his famous book, “Think and Grow Rich”, that “whatsoever the mind can conceive, believe, it can achieve it’.
In conclusion, if you want to be wealthy, please consider working on your mindset because that’s where everything, including success and failure start and end.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
