The Basic Fear of Poverty

Most of us have an irrational fear of something. You might think that your fear is different than everyone else. But did you know that most experts agree that there are only 6 basic fears. You're greatest fear likely stems from one or more of these basic fears.

I worked with Joe (not his real name) for nearly 20 years. He's a great guy and he would give you the shirt off his back. But as the years went by it became obvious to me that Joe didn't really grasp the the concept of creating wealth. Sure, he is always talking about trying to "make money" and "wishing" he could be rich but in the end he's spent his whole life trudging to a job that he openly admits that he hates. When he complains vehemently to me (which is almost always the subject of his conversations), I often ask him one of two questions. Our conversation usually goes like this:

George: "Why don't you look for a better job?"

Joe: "I could never make as much as I do now somewhere else and besides I might end up in a worse situation than this."

George: "What plans have you made over the years to better your situation?"

Joe: "Well none really, I never had the time, I'm too burned out."

His answers are always the same. So Joe trudges to his job for another day.

Can you tell what basic fear Joe suffers from?

Here are the symptoms Joe complains about daily:

• INDIFFERENCE. Commonly expressed through lack of ambition; willingness to tolerate poverty; acceptance of whatever compensation life may offer without protest; mental and physical laziness; lack of initiative, imagination, enthusiasm and self-control.
  
  
• INDECISION. The habit of permitting others to do one’s thinking. Staying “on the fence.”
  
  
• DOUBT. Generally expressed through alibis and excuses designed to cover up, explain away, or apologize for one’s failures, sometimes expressed in the form of envy of those who are successful, or by criticizing them.
  
  
• WORRY. Usually expressed by finding fault with others, a tendency to spend beyond one’s income, neglect of personal appearance, scowling and frowning; intemperance in the use of alcoholic drink, sometimes through the use of narcotics; nervousness, lack of poise, self-consciousness and lack of self-reliance.
  
  
• OVER-CAUTION. The habit of looking for the negative side of every circumstance, thinking and talking of possible failure instead of concentrating upon the means of succeeding. Knowing all the roads to disaster, but never searching for the plans to avoid failure. Waiting for “the right time” to begin putting ideas and plans into action, until the waiting becomes a permanent habit. Remembering those who have failed, and forgetting those who have succeeded. Seeing the hole in the doughnut, but overlooking the doughnut. Pessimism, leading to indigestion, poor elimination, auto-intoxication, bad breath and bad disposition.
  
  
• PROCRASTINATION. The habit of putting off until tomorrow that which should have been done last year. Spending enough time in creating alibis and excuses to have done the job. This symptom is closely related to over-caution, doubt and worry. Refusal to accept responsibility when it can be avoided. Willingness to compromise rather than put up a stiff fight. Compromising with difficulties instead of harnessing and using them as stepping stones to advancement. Bargaining with Life for a penny, instead of demanding prosperity, opulence, riches, contentment and happiness. Planning what to do IF AND WHEN OVERTAKEN BY FAILURE, INSTEAD OF BURNING ALL BRIDGES AND MAKING RETREAT IMPOSSIBLE. Weakness of, and often total lack of self-confidence, definiteness of purpose, self-control, initiative, enthusiasm, ambition, thrift and sound reasoning ability.
  
  
• EXPECTING POVERTY INSTEAD OF DEMANDING RICHES. Association with those who accept poverty instead of seeking the company of those who demand and receive riches.

The above describes Joe exactly. Joe suffers from one of the most powerful of all the basic fears, the Fear of Poverty. Whenever I try to talk about any of these things Joe always blames someone else or the economy.

It's kind of depressing to talk to Joe.

Would you want to buy something from Joe?

How many of these symptoms do you have?

Next time we'll look at some of the ways to beat this devastating fear.