The rich have a particular mentality that is keeping them rich why the poor keeps getting poorer. Whenever the rich encounter an opportunity they try it and see if it will work.
Let me take myself as an example. Even when I was broke, I had this mentality of the rich that's why I was able to get out of poverty easily. If I come across an opportunity, I rather try it and fail than not try it at all. Having that feeling that this opportunity I just missed would have changed my life is more painful than losing my money for trying.
I’m not an expert, and I’m not even rich (not broke either), but I have experienced and read a few books to know that there are no secrets to getting rich overnight, getting rich is a process and there are proven systems that can help you get rich, you just need to find and apply them.
Some claim that everyone has the same opportunity to become rich, but I seem to disagree with that. Perhaps it’s viable in some locations. But in Nigeria we are not offered an equal opportunity, some have it better than others. Even within the group that are offered the same opportunity, some may face greater challenges than others.
In reality, opportunities are available for everyone to seize, but everyone can’t seize every opportunity no matter how much effort you put in.
Let’s look at admissions to Nigerian Universities. The opportunity to get admission to a university is open to everyone, but not everyone who applies to get admitted, sometimes, some candidates you performed better than will get admitted and you won’t. Why? They have a connection that you don’t have. That connection has placed them over you. The same can be said about getting a job. No matter your level of experience and performance during the interview, someone that didn’t even turn up for the interview can get the job. Why? His uncle is a friend to the company's manager. It took only a phone call to get the job.
It seems I have deviated from the topic. Let’s return to it then.
Many Nigerians can remain poor no matter how much money they earn. Some don’t want to work at all, they believe in easy and quick money as well as luck, and in most cases, they end up being scammed. A company ask you to deposit an amount of money and they will double it in 24 hours, and you sent your life savings to earn double the amount. I pity you, why don’t they double their own money?
From spending more than they earn to depending on just a source of income, let us look at some indications of why a Nigerian will never be rich.
Spending more than they earn
Many don’t live within their means. They spend more than they earn and in the end, they run into debts. No matter how much you earn monthly, you won become rich if you spend more than your income.
Believe in easy and quick money
From gambling to falling for Ponzi schemes that promise quick money, some Nigerians engage in several activities that are believed to make them quick and easy money without stress. If you want to earn a lot of money, work, invest your time and money, learn about what really works, and be consistent.
My time will come
Nigerians are known to be religious and believe too much in divine luck. They pray morning and night with the hope that one day their time will come. Some of these people die poor. Prayer is good, but you need to back it up with work and effort.
There are other reasons like playing the blame game – blaming others for their condition instead of working hard to get out of their current state.
Some put too much emphasis on saving their money instead of investing. There are better things you can do with your money than leaving it in a bank account.
Depending on full-time jobs and on just one source of income.
I believe that being rich begins in the mind. Life is all about risks. Staying poor is risky and becoming rich is also risky. So choose your risk and enjoy.
An interesting perspective actually. I often take it for granted that I happen to live in the United States where opportunity abounds and poverty is really a choice. I forget about places like Nigeria, and even Venezuela, perhaps North Korea (I am sure there are many), where the struggle to get ahead is much harder, and the opportunity to do so much less abundant if it's available at all.
Still, I think you are right on track when you say that you had the mentality of the rich, and this was able to help lift you out of poverty. Or at least be far less broke. lol
I commented the other day either on read or noise that I have never once thought of myself as poor. I ALWAYS think I am rich. And I think this mindset helps to at least appreciate even the little bit you have and always strive to hold onto your riches rather than just say, "Screw it. I'm poor. I'm blowing the wad."