If you are having financial problems it is ultimately because of one of two reasons. You’re not making enough or you are spending too much. Believe it or not there is a twelve step program for both. December 2nd 2010 I was working as a security guard. Previously I had been working in banking but the mortgage crises brought that to an end. The Wall Street Journal talked about how some people were treating their underarming as a problem and had joined a 12 step program Under Earners Anonymous to seek recovery. I kind of laughed at the idea at first, then I thought about it, was there something about me that caused me to continually under earn?
After some time I looked into the 12 step program that had regular phone meetings. For months attended a phone meeting every day. In the end I am not sure that I am an under earner, I earn a decent income, enough for my wife to stay at home with our little one. It is something I need to be conscious of.
Most members of Under Earners Anonymous would tell you that more important than becoming rich is developing a state of minds, a feeling of well-being and the ability to make sound judgments. When we change our mindset the under earning will stop. In meetings they talk about getting time drunk. Time drunk is when we lose track of time, hour, weeks, even years go by and we have nothing to account for it. I think one of the reasons the program works is it helps people to get focused. UA is they call themselves has 12 symptoms of under earning. If you answer yes to three of these questions you might be an under earner….
1. Time Indifference – We put off what must be done and do not use our time to support our own vision and further our own goals.
2. Idea Deflection –We compulsively reject ideas that could expand our lives or careers, and increase our profitability.
3. Compulsive Need to Prove – Although we have demonstrated competence in our jobs or business, we are driven by a need to re-prove our worth and value.
4. Clinging to Useless Possessions – We hold onto possessions that no longer serve our needs, such as threadbare clothing or broken appliances.
5. Exertion/Exhaustion – We habitually overwork, become exhausted, then under-work or cease work completely.
6. Giving Away Our Time – We compulsively volunteer for various causes, or give away our services without charge, when there is no clear benefit.
7. Undervaluing and Under-pricing – We undervalue our abilities and services and fear asking for increases in compensation or for what the market will bear.
8. Isolation – We choose to work alone when it might serve us much better to have co-workers, associates, or employees.
9. Physical Ailments – Sometimes, out of fear of being larger or exposed, we experience physical ailments.
10. Misplaced Guilt or Shame – We feel uneasy when asking for or being given what we need or what we are owed.
11. Not Following Up – We do not follow up on opportunities, leads, or jobs that could be profitable. We begin many projects and tasks but often do not complete them.
12. Stability Boredom – We create unnecessary conflict with co-workers, supervisors and clients, generating problems that result in financial distress.
You can find out more at www.underearnersanonymous.org
What steps have you taken to keep from under earning?
