Episode 105: Poverty Mindset

Doulas of the Roundtable

The poverty mindset is common in doula work.

According to Alan Weiss:

"A poverty mentality is one that influences behaviors consistent with beliefs that money shouldn't be spent, opportunities are limited, any risk at all is dangerous, any success is temporary and non-replicable, and generally remaining in the back of the pack is safest."

Many individuals come to birth work believing their work opportunities are limited. The reality is that birth work offers upward mobility or the ability to move up in socioeconomic status. Creating diversity in birth work allows birth workers to move themselves and their families out of poverty.

When coupled with codependence, or the need to be needed, along with the historical message that birth workers should self-sacrifice in terms of money and physical efforts, it's no wonder the burnout rate amongst birth workers is so high.

The reality is that most birth workers need to make money to make their work sustainable mentally, physically, and financially.

Yet the poverty mindset often holds birth workers back from long-term success whether it is the resistance to invest money into ongoing training and education. Or the unwillingness to take risks that could lead to growth. The poverty mindset is a powerful motivator for limiting beliefs restricting growth and success.

Join us as we explore the poverty mindset, how to identify it, and how to overcome it.