Poverty In The Mind Of
A Business Owner
By: Sandi Krakowski
You wouldn't think that most business owners online struggle with a lack mindset, but many do. It is evident in workaholism, poor decision making and even lack-minded management. As a 'budding entrepreneur' it's critical that you understand this plague and protect yourself from it.
What does poverty look like in a company and more specifically in the life of a business owner and how can you stay clear of this horrific condition?
To be impoverished and live in lack according to Webster's Dictionary is:
What does poverty look like in a company and more specifically in the life of a business owner and how can you stay clear of this horrific condition?
To be impoverished and live in lack according to Webster's Dictionary is:
The state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.
Scarcity goes one step further:
Scarcity goes one step further:
The quality or state of being scarce; especially: want of provisions for the support of life.
When you see these two definitions you typically think of those suffering in a homeless situation, one who can't even provide for his next meal, the ones who live in third world countries who barely have sustenance. But you wouldn't see it as a controlling factor in the life of a business owner who can't get ahead, would you?
Let me say this as clearly as I can- having worked with tens of thousands of clients in my kitchenware businesses, the three vitamin stores I owned and operated, the gyms I managed, coaching people through bodybuilding, the network marketing programs I built, writing sales copy, doing all aspects of advertising and consulting in marketing….. this is a killer disease for the business owner. Few ever find their cure. Sadly.
How can you recognize poverty in your life or that of your company structure?
When you see these two definitions you typically think of those suffering in a homeless situation, one who can't even provide for his next meal, the ones who live in third world countries who barely have sustenance. But you wouldn't see it as a controlling factor in the life of a business owner who can't get ahead, would you?
Let me say this as clearly as I can- having worked with tens of thousands of clients in my kitchenware businesses, the three vitamin stores I owned and operated, the gyms I managed, coaching people through bodybuilding, the network marketing programs I built, writing sales copy, doing all aspects of advertising and consulting in marketing….. this is a killer disease for the business owner. Few ever find their cure. Sadly.
How can you recognize poverty in your life or that of your company structure?
Here are a few clues:
1. Do you guard the things you have as a company owner or business as though it is more valuable than anything? Do you protect everything you have, every penny, every hour, constantly keeping track to make sure nothing slips through the cracks? This my friends is an impoverished state of mind and it typically will hold a company back. Try as hard as they can, most company owners (and I say most, there are exceptions to every scenario) won't go beyond that point because of this basic essential need of control and fear.
Control is a symptom of poverty. Good management is the opposite.
1. Do you guard the things you have as a company owner or business as though it is more valuable than anything? Do you protect everything you have, every penny, every hour, constantly keeping track to make sure nothing slips through the cracks? This my friends is an impoverished state of mind and it typically will hold a company back. Try as hard as they can, most company owners (and I say most, there are exceptions to every scenario) won't go beyond that point because of this basic essential need of control and fear.
Control is a symptom of poverty. Good management is the opposite.
Tony Hsieh is a great example of that. Rather than fearing his bottom line and having to fire someone who doesn't mesh with his culture, his company practice is to give $2000 for workers to leave if they are holding the team back. Nothing more needs to be said. What a wise man!
2. Is there always a reason for why you never quite made it to your dreams? Is someone in your past, your current client list, the economy, or your competitor the reason why you never got to where you should have gotten to? And is this story of such loss a part of your company history that all clients know? Do you nearly instill 'fear' into your customer base of anyone bringing harm on your "precious" – ie your company?
Many of you might be laughing at this point and that's a good sign. Others might be feeling completely sick to their stomach and that's a good sign as well… as long as you do something with that emotion rising up in you.
What is poverty anyways?
2. Is there always a reason for why you never quite made it to your dreams? Is someone in your past, your current client list, the economy, or your competitor the reason why you never got to where you should have gotten to? And is this story of such loss a part of your company history that all clients know? Do you nearly instill 'fear' into your customer base of anyone bringing harm on your "precious" – ie your company?
Many of you might be laughing at this point and that's a good sign. Others might be feeling completely sick to their stomach and that's a good sign as well… as long as you do something with that emotion rising up in you.
What is poverty anyways?
Some think it's a force, an energy (negative). Others believe it to be a spirit, an enemy or a spiritual entity to be avoided. I personally think it's all of the above!
3. Do you struggle to just get ahead? When you work hour after hour after hour do you always feel like no matter what you do, you can't get ahead? Do you presume that others must have more talent, more insight, more gifting, more 'connections' and something else that is MORE than what you have? This is a sign of poverty. I'll agree that insight, gifting, connections and talent will get you far but a preoccupation with the 'more' that others have is a sign of a deep rooted problem that will make building a company the hardest thing you ever do in your life. Hence the reason some stay in a dull, boring job they hate. The pain of staying where they are, is reasoned, is less than the pain of continuing to fall short on their desires.
3. Do you struggle to just get ahead? When you work hour after hour after hour do you always feel like no matter what you do, you can't get ahead? Do you presume that others must have more talent, more insight, more gifting, more 'connections' and something else that is MORE than what you have? This is a sign of poverty. I'll agree that insight, gifting, connections and talent will get you far but a preoccupation with the 'more' that others have is a sign of a deep rooted problem that will make building a company the hardest thing you ever do in your life. Hence the reason some stay in a dull, boring job they hate. The pain of staying where they are, is reasoned, is less than the pain of continuing to fall short on their desires.
4. When you create a website for your business do you settle for what you can 'get' for free? Are you always looking for the next discount? Do you stay with a 'free' hosted blog even though you know that it isn't the right way to run a business? Do you always presume it's God who wants you to stay where you are, it's just your lot in life that has made it impossible for you to get training on WordPress, sales copy, internet marketing and whatever else it is you need? This is poverty. It's a crafty form of poverty that keeps one in lack and scarcity, but in a very passive form.
Poverty is defined as a lack of a basic need.
So what is the basic need a business owner has that he or she is feeling so removed from that would cause such destructive behavior? It's different for everyone.
Your basic emotional needs however cannot be met in the profit or loss of your company.
Your basic emotional needs however cannot be met in the profit or loss of your company.
You can pretend that it can be, but you're kidding yourself. There is no amount of money that can bring peace to the soul, no amount of list size in your internet based business that can bring you security and contentment. These have to be found first. Then crazy wild fun things will begin to appear in your business. THIS is why at A Real Change International we work with the whole person in our programs, along with the marketing tactics, strategies, secrets and methods!
So, where are you today? Do you see yourself in any of the examples I've given?
So, where are you today? Do you see yourself in any of the examples I've given?
If you have, here is a formula for getting past that point.
1. Forgive. Start with yourself and then others. Do not exclude anyone or any situation. I realize it's easier said than done but having experienced horrific trauma in my life as a child, a gang rape at 19, several abuses in religious cultures in my lifetime and more…. I can say with full confidence… you deserve to let it go. You deserve to be free. Do whatever it takes to get to the other side of that pain and keep short accounts.
2. Be realistic. Your expectations of your business must be objective and not governed by your emotions. Be willing to go the extra mile, take the extra time and do whatever it takes to get input on what you can expect in your business. Masterminds and mentoring help tremendously with this.
3. Go forward. To be stuck is a sign of poverty. Sometimes just 'doing the next' thing will bring about change in your life. Move forward no matter what.
I believe with all of my heart that a business and owning your own company will change your life. It will be the most fun, the most challenging, the most rewarding and the most incredible experience you'll ever encounter. But it requires a good hard substantial look at things along the way.
I hope I have helped you with this issue of poverty. This is NOT your portion in life and it's not your future. Let's move forward together, shall we? 🙂
1. Forgive. Start with yourself and then others. Do not exclude anyone or any situation. I realize it's easier said than done but having experienced horrific trauma in my life as a child, a gang rape at 19, several abuses in religious cultures in my lifetime and more…. I can say with full confidence… you deserve to let it go. You deserve to be free. Do whatever it takes to get to the other side of that pain and keep short accounts.
2. Be realistic. Your expectations of your business must be objective and not governed by your emotions. Be willing to go the extra mile, take the extra time and do whatever it takes to get input on what you can expect in your business. Masterminds and mentoring help tremendously with this.
3. Go forward. To be stuck is a sign of poverty. Sometimes just 'doing the next' thing will bring about change in your life. Move forward no matter what.
I believe with all of my heart that a business and owning your own company will change your life. It will be the most fun, the most challenging, the most rewarding and the most incredible experience you'll ever encounter. But it requires a good hard substantial look at things along the way.
I hope I have helped you with this issue of poverty. This is NOT your portion in life and it's not your future. Let's move forward together, shall we? 🙂
With love,
Sandi Krakowski
