They want control. We want consciousness.
That’s the line in the sand.
In a world ruled by statism, you’re told who to be, what to want, and how to live. Your value is measured in productivity. Your choices are framed by institutions. Your future? Decided by someone else.
That’s not freedom. That’s programming.
Statism is the belief that the state—the government, the system—should have dominant control over your life. It masquerades as protection. But underneath the promises of security and order lies a quiet theft: of autonomy, of identity, of soul.
The system wants you dependent. It wants you obedient. It wants you numb.
But the Academy of Life Planning says otherwise.
We don’t teach conformity. We teach clarity. We don’t sell obedience. We spark awakening. We don’t manage your money. We guide you to master your life.
Through the GAME Plan and the M-POWER Movement, we hand you the compass. The map. The match to light the fire.
Because the real revolution isn’t political. It’s personal.
Statism thrives on your dependence. But you were born to grow.
Human development isn’t static—it’s a journey. From mere survival to profound service. From being controlled by fear to being fuelled by purpose. That’s why our model doesn’t just fix finances—it heals lives.
We work with seven transformative stages of human development:
- Surviving
- Conforming
- Differentiating
- Individuating
- Self-Actualising
- Integrating
- Serving
[Source: Richard Barrett’s A New Psychology of Human Well-being.]
At the bottom of that ladder? Fear. Scarcity. Envy.
At the top? Freedom. Purpose. Spiritual Power.
This is not woo-woo. This is psychological fact. Maslow called them deficiency needs vs growth needs. The soul seeks growth. The ego clings to lack.
Statism manipulates the ego. We liberate the soul.
Which brings us to a deeper cultural wound…
Transcending Toxic Envy: Soul Needs, Spirituality, and the Journey of Psychological Growth
In an age shaped by digital comparison, political polarisation, and a culture of consumerism, envy has become more than a personal struggle—it has become a societal epidemic. Anne Hendershott’s The Politics of Envy (2020) offers a timely diagnosis: envy, left unchecked, breeds resentment, violence, and systemic dysfunction. But for those seeking a deeper understanding and solution, the Academy of Life Planning (AoLP), the GAME Plan, and the M-POWER movement provide a transformative path forward grounded in a new psychology of human well-being.
Envy: A Deficiency of the Ego, Not the Soul
Hendershott’s critique reveals that toxic envy is not just an emotional impulse—it is the false self reacting to a culturally conditioned belief system rooted in scarcity, status anxiety, and fear. It stems from the deficiency needs outlined in Maslow’s hierarchy: survival, safety, belonging, and esteem. When these ego-driven needs dominate our psyche, our motivations are defined by comparison, competition, and control.
The GAME Plan reframes this. Drawing from ancient cyclical knowledge (Priscus Theologia) and contemporary psychological models, it maps a developmental journey that shifts focus from egoic deficiency to soulful growth. We ascend through seven stages: Surviving, Conforming, Differentiating, Individuating, Self-Actualising, Integrating, and Serving. Each stage represents a shift in consciousness—from outer validation to inner purpose.
From Religiosity to Spirituality: Reclaiming the True Self
While Hendershott, and thinkers like Doug Bandow (The Politics of Envy: Statism as Theology, 1994), point to religion as a possible antidote to envy, the Academy proposes a broader concept: spirituality. Spirituality is not dogma—it is the direct experience of alignment with one’s values, calling, and higher self. It enables values-based decision-making, which is essential to break the cycle of envy.
This is where holistic wealth planning becomes powerful. The Holistic Wealth Planner acts not as a financial adviser, but as a guide through the terrain of personal growth. By addressing the whole person—not just money—they accelerate the client’s journey toward integration and service, where envy dissolves in the presence of meaning, contribution, and abundance.
Recognising the Envy Trap: A Cultural and Political Construct
Both Hendershott and Bandow expose how political elites and advertisers weaponise envy. Whether through consumer advertising, identity politics, or class-based rhetoric, we are often baited into feelings of inadequacy and division. Bandow argues that modern statism thrives on envy, transforming it into policy and public discourse. His warning is stark: envy not only poisons individual relationships—it fuels social decay.
But the AoLP lens offers compassion and clarity. Individuals stuck in lower developmental stages are not enemies—they are operating from unmet needs. Recognising this allows for empathy, while also maintaining firm boundaries.
Strategies for Navigating Envy in Others
When encountering someone driven by envy—whether online or in personal relationships—consider the following:
- Don’t engage the ego: Respond from your values, not defensiveness.
- Set compassionate boundaries: Protect your energy without judging theirs.
- Model soulful living: Let your actions reflect peace, purpose, and self-awareness.
- Guide if invited: Share tools like the GAME Plan or holistic wealth principles only when the other is open.
- Recognise projection: Often, envious behaviour reflects internal battles, not you.
Conclusion: From Envy to Empowerment
Envy is a symptom of disconnection—from self, from community, and from meaning. As Alain de Botton notes in Status Anxiety, our modern obsession with success fuels inner turmoil. The AoLP approach reclaims that narrative: your worth is not measured by others’ standards, but by your alignment with your soul’s purpose.
Through holistic planning, the GAME Plan, and the M-POWER movement, we offer not just financial security but a roadmap to transcend deficiency and step into wholeness. Hendershott’s critique is a wake-up call. The Academy of Life Planning offers the way forward.
Let envy be the signal—not of lack, but of misalignment. And let your response be the journey toward your highest self.
Richard Barrett’s A New Psychology of Human Well-Being: An Exploration of the Influence of Ego-Soul Dynamics on Mental and Physical Health presents a comprehensive framework that integrates psychology, spirituality, and science to redefine well-being in the 21st century. Central to Barrett’s thesis is the exploration of ego-soul dynamics, emphasizing the interplay between our personal ambitions and deeper spiritual essence. He introduces the Seven Levels Model, encompassing both the Stages of Psychological Development and the Levels of Consciousness, to illustrate how individuals evolve and operate at various stages of personal growth. This model has been applied to assess the consciousness of over 6,000 organizations, 5,000 individuals, and 25 nations.
Barrett’s work aligns with the Academy of Life Planning’s mission to integrate social, environmental, and spiritual well-being into financial planning. By understanding the balance between ego needs and soul desires, as outlined in his Seven Levels Model, financial planners can better guide individuals toward achieving ‘Kokoro’—a harmonious life enriched with financial security, emotional fulfillment, intellectual growth, and spiritual abundance. This approach resonates with the Academy’s emphasis on holistic, self-directed financial planning that empowers individuals to become their own financial advisers.
For a more in-depth understanding, you might find the following discussion insightful:
You can’t be free and follow the herd. You can’t serve your soul and obey the system.
It’s time to choose. Not politics over politics. Not left or right. But within.
Your power. Your path. Your plan.
The GAME Plan.
It’s not just financial planning. It’s soul liberation.
Join us. Reclaim your life from the system. Reclaim your life—for YOU.
Your Money or Your Life
Unmask the highway robbers – Enjoy wealth in every area of your life!
By Steve Conley. Available on Amazon. Visit www.steve.conley.co.uk to find out more.
Academy of Life Planning 