09/02/2026
This explains well why people show such visible relief when they get the key to their own shelter here.
A person’s “time horizon” is how far into the future they think about and plan for.
Quick quiz:
1.Have you already thought about what you want to do this weekend?
If you have, then your time horizon is at least a week.
2. Have you already thought about where you want to take your next vacation?
If you have, then your time horizon is at least several months.
3.Have you already thought about where you might want to retire?
If you have, then your time horizon is years or decades.
You have experienced a “shortened” time horizon
Have you ever thought there might be an intruder in your home?
Maybe the door was open when you got home.
Maybe the dog was barking in the middle of the night.
Maybe there was a loud noise when no one else was home.
When that happened, did you immediately rush over to your computer to check the balance on your retirement account?
Of course not!
You either called someone (maybe the police), hid somewhere or went to investigate the issue.
You instinctively knew that your retirement account didn’t matter if your life was potentially at risk in the next two minutes.
No matter what you did, the source of the danger dominated your thinking to the exclusion of everything else.
Poverty tends to “shorten” a person’s time horizon
Any time basic needs (food, shelter, security) are threatened, the brain shortens the person’s time horizon.
That makes sense:
• If you have no idea how you will feed yourself tonight, how can you care about next week?
• If you aren’t sure where you are going to sleep tonight, how can you care next month?
• If you have stabbing pains but don’t have the money or insurance to go see a doctor, how can you care about retirement?
With imminent danger, the human brain focuses on immediate survival. Long-term planning is postponed.
Poverty can cause behavior that looks irrational or irresponsible, but isn’t either
If someone is unemployed, taking a class to improve their job skills “makes sense” from a long-term perspective.
If a person needs help, missing their appointment with a social worker is “irresponsible” from a long-term perspective.
Here’s the thing…
When you have a full belly, a warm bed and safe walls, it is easy to judge the actions of people who lack these essentials.
If your organization has a membership for our trainings, next week’s live training (Understanding Poverty) covers time horizon. The details are below.
If your organization doesn't have a membership but you want to find out more, just reply "Tell me more!" and one of our team members will be in touch.
Have a fantastic week!
Peace,
Ryan
________________________________________
LIVE TRAINING
COURSE 130 - UNDERSTANDING POVERTY: HOW TO REDUCE CONFLICT AND SERVE PEOPLE BETTER
TITLE: Understanding Poverty: How to reduce conflict and serve people better (former title "Psychology of Poverty")
DATE: September 10, 2026
TIME:
• Nonprofits & Homeless Shelters - 11:00 AM Central Time (6 AM Hawaii / 8 AM Alaska / 9 AM Pacific / 10 AM Mountain / Noon Eastern)
• Libraries & Public Organizations - 1:00 PM Central Time (8 AM Hawaii / 10 AM Alaska / 11 AM Pacific / Noon Mountain / 2 PM Eastern)
LENGTH: 30 Minute Training & 30 Minute Q&A
TOPICS COVERED:
• Poverty can change your “time horizon” (and ability to plan ahead!)
• Poverty can impact your mental bandwidth (and ability to think clearly!)
• Growing up in poverty can change your brain (and how you respond to conflict!)
• Tips and tools for serving people suffering from poverty
RECORDING: The Zoom recording will be available for 3 days after the live event. The training will also be added to the Homeless Training Academy in Niche Academy where you can view and obtain a certificate.
REGISTRATION:
Available exclusively to member organizations (the Zoom registration link has been emailed to you). Library staff in the following states are covered through your statewide library membership: Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia (Canada), Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.
If your organization has a membership and you'd like to be added to our system to receive the webinar link directly to your inbox, give us your information using this link: http://bit.ly/MonthlyWebinarSignup
