Learned Helplessness: The Secret to Being Poor

Everyone and their brother has the “secret” to being rich. Countless books, articles, and late-night infomercials have revealed how we can all live in palm tree lined mansions and drive bright red Ferraris. So why are so many of us struggling? Because we have learned to be poor. It’s time we changed this…

Many poor people — and by “poor” I mean financially but also living below your true potential — may have developed the belief that no matter how hard they work and how much education they get they will never get out of the financial and personal straight-jacket they are in. They may look at investing the other 8 hoursand think it can work for others but that it will never work for them. It’s no wonder why poor people play lotteries in greater numbers than any other income class. The middle class surely wants and needs the money too. The difference is that some of the poor see the lottery as the only way they can get ahead. If you truly believe that regardless of what you do today, it won’t positively impact tomorrow, you’re not going to try.

Psychologists call this phenomenon “learned helplessness.” Dr. Martin Seligman coined this term and it comes down to one thing — control. The cause of learned helplessness is being repeatedly exposed to an uncontrollable event. After many repeated and failed attempts, your brain “learns” that success is beyond your control; that you cannot affect the outcome. Basically you get to the point of thinking, “Why bother?” Once “conditioned” in this belief, you give up hope and effort, even in situations where you actually do have control and the ability to change the outcome. In effect, you’ve learned to become helpless.

If there are areas in your life where you think your actions do not influence the future, chances are you do have some control. Break the rut of learned helplessness with these five ideas:

Embrace change. You must first open your mind to the possibility that your life actually can improve. If you are still having a hard time accepting this, ask yourself if it is possible for your life to get worse because of steps you take. If your life can get worse as a result of your actions, there’s no reason it can’t get better.
Get perspective. If your friend were in your situation, wouldn’t you encourage her to think about her situation objectively and take whatever action is appropriate? What would you tell her?
Set goals. Just the act of setting goals will help you overcome the feeling that you have no control over your future. The energy and thought process required to set goals will get your mind thinking in a whole new way.
Achieve success. One of the best ways to overcome the belief that your actions don’t affect your future is to start seeing some results — no matter how small. While big goals can be motivating, make sure you have smaller and more easily achievable goals along the way.
Consider a different viewpoint. According to Dr. Seligman, “Optimistic people tend to interpret troubles as transient, controllable, and specific to one situation. Pessimistic people, in contrast, believe that their troubles last forever, undermine everything they do and are uncontrollable.” In short, if we can change the way we explain the events that occur in our lives, we will be less likely to suffer from learned helplessness.

Don’t have the time? Don’t have the money? Don’t have the energy? Don’t have the resources? Enough! Don’t focus on the 1,000 reasons why you can’t do it; focus on the one reason why you can. Your Ferrari is waiting…

(Ferrari image by emrank, CC 2.0)

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Jennifer W.

5:41AM PST on Feb 13, 2012

exactly right!!

send a green star

Samantha H.

9:55AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

interesting

Sian R.

1:42AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

I endorse every word Christina T writes. I am 'poor' by national standards, only getting the state pension - no car, bought an ancient and run-down house very cheaply years ago and have been doing it up very slowly as and when I have the money.
But I have enough. I never buy lottery tickets because I wouldn't want the responsibility of redistributing all that money I don't want or need.

I rent a room to a student, a new one every year. It keeps me young and pays for my travel;
I go somewhere at least once a year and 'back-pack' around, using local transport and living at the level of the local people in countries like India, Sudan, Ethiopia, etc. Often, I can do it even more cheaply than living at home and staying in mud huts and the like is interesting as well as informative - much more so than the 'insulation' from the locals that 3-4-5 star hotels give one.
I volunteer at a couple of places, which provides me with both entertainment and friendships, and in the evening my small television shows me the wider world.
In fact, life is pretty damned good. I'm definitely 'empowered'.

Joanne M.

8:34PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

thanks for pointing out that "poor" does not just apply to a person's financial condition. I ave had the misfortune to know a few well to do people who were very poor in the real things of value.

Vicki P.

1:27PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Thank-you for the article

G A R.

1:04PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

what exactly is "poor"? what is "poor" in America? everyone I helped at the food bank, drove there. many talked about some latest TV show they were watching, while waiting in line. many chatted on their cell phones. everyone had shoes on their feet.
I never met anyone who had to walk to the food bank...
so just what exactly is "poor"?
like I said earlier, I am often broke, but I have never been poor.

Silas G.

7:24AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

This is something it would help me to keep in mind, despite my not being poor by most standards.

Stephanie E.

7:20AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

I dont buy it either. i have a decent job, my husband works, my kids are grown and i still struggle to pay my bills. Those in income brackets above me pay less in taxes than i do and i struggle to pay those too. It's time the government took some stress off the back of the middle class and small businesses. Education and hard work no longer carry a payout in the US because political lobbying and capaign contributions are the backbone of our spineless government rules and will surely be the downfall of our country.

Chad A.

2:57AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Pessimists and optimists both argue that they are being realistic but optimists feel more successful. Why not be an optimist?

Brenda T.

2:28AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Good advice.