Survival Mode is only a bad thing if it last so long that it no longer does what it is designed to do, which is to inspire growth and change. Once it begins to present with feelings of anxiety, depression and incapacitiation, then it is time for an intervention. It is time for you to employ strategies with help, that will get you back on the path to growth and keep you there. This blog post will explore Survival Phase as it relates to financial planning, what the phase looks like and the possible outcome if specific strategies are not employed to address it.
I couldn’t say exactly when this term, survival mode, made it to mainstream dialogue, however it is here. Right now I see it referring to intimate relationships with women being in survival mode. I understand that survival mode refers to a state of constant prolonged stress and discomfort, so much it becomes a way of life, a habit. In my mind the term Survival mode felt strange, almost like it didn’t quite fit. A mode is usually a method of operating, and so my brain says, survival mode is actually a good place to be when you need to survive. For the purpose of illustrating the horrors of a period of constant stress, please allow me to refer to this period as the Survival Phase. The survival phase I envision, is a period in the life cycle where there is constant stress around a particular issue. Survival Phase for which we go into Survival Mode, is expected to teach us something, to teach us the skills we need to move on to the next level. An unnaturally prolonged survival phase can impact our ability to make rational ‘thinking brain’ choices. In other words, ‘a prolonged Survival Phase met with Survival Mode tun we inna ediat’.
The impact of a survival phase is painful to experience, but also painful to observe. The Survival Phase is characterised by pain and disappointment, hopelessness and discomfort. The intention being to move you to the next level. If we adjust our mindset, discomfort is a good thing. However, the downside is when the discomfort lasts so long, that we adapt, learn to get used to it, so it becomes a part of who we are overtime.
Chronic Stress from an extended Financial Survival Phase (FSP), can be characterized by constant worry about meeting basic living needs. According to Maslow’s Heirachy of needs, inability to meet the basic physioligical needs will lead to impaired body functions. There is no sustainable way to get to the next level if you are constantly stuck at Phase 1 of the needs heirachy. Living hand to mouth becomes almost second nature, so that even if you begin making more money, survival mode will have you still making the kinds of decisions that keep you living hand to mouth regardless of how much you earn.
Poor Health is also a feature of the cycle of unment physiological needs which closely resemble a cycle of poverty that can end up impacting generations. Constant stress can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease to name a few. The costs of accessing and managing a chronic illness, can lead to even more financial instability, not only for you but family and loved ones.
Limited Options is a reality of FSP. Resources and subsequently options are limited, stretched thin, most times, way too thin to allow any investment even in yourself. So investments in education or new IPOs may have to miss you, plugging you right back into the spiralling financial survival phase heading to poverty.
Our physiology is designed to protect us from pain and ensure our survival. Dopamine Addiction will trick us into those bad decisions that feel soooo good, complete with the trimmings of solid excuses for the indulgence. It is not a surprise that depressed communities are usually overrun with easy access to alcohol, drugs and religion. The need for pleasure and entertainment become an addiction to people who exist in survival mode, the discipline needed to move north of financial distress is not trusted, is difficult and could uncover some deep traumas needing healing.
The way forward, easy does it.
The survival phase and survival mode is designed for GOOD. Survival phase in finances could require a survival mode session where we are required to limit our expenditures, seek opportunities for increasing income and face our psychological response to money. A financial survival phase can affect anyone. Absolutely no one is untouchable. However some people if prudent, will put systems in place to prepare for a survival moment. The goal is to SHORTEN your survival phases as much as possible, the ultimate being to eliminate the risk of a survival phase.
If you get frustrated with ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’s quote above, I fully understand. ‘It doesnt matter how much money you make’ can sound like a huge load of impossible to apply thought. The harsh truth is, your income determines your lifestyle. No matter your income, if avoiding survival phase and building wealth is in your plans, you must approach financial planning with structure. Please see steps noted below to help:
- Investigate and Understand – Tracking your expenditures and noting emotional spending trends, allows you to understand the reality of your spend. This is a crucial step that cannot be ignored.
- Create Structure – This step involves you taking control of your finances, telling your money what to do, instead of having it lead you. Budget automation is the way to go. Set up a minimum of 3 different accounts to manage your money, a bank account for NEEDS, another for WANTS and a third for PLANS.
- Review and Reward – If managing your money and achieving the financial goals you set is important to you, then you must find the time to review your financial plan on a daily basis to maintain responsiveness and connection to your goal. Setting up a monthly reward system will also help you to stay on track.
The Survival Phase offers an opportunity to bring our financial goals into perspective, into reality, allowing us to create the changes needed to achieve our goals. Staying stuck in Survival Phase for too long however, can elaborate our financial struggles, and can be extremely incapacitating. When it starts gettin there that is when you NEED financial coaching. An accountability partner for atleast a 3 month period to hold your hand while you get out of the quick sand of the Financial Survival Phase and into a place of financial security through developing a structure that is responsive to your personal circumstances.
