7 Steps to Developing an Abundance Mindset
Lately I've been noticing how many people don’t seem to be enjoying their lives. They focus almost exclusively on the negative and on what they don’t have.
And there’s so much more!
Yes, life isn’t perfect and things don’t always go the way you want or expect. Many people use that as an excuse to close themselves off from others and retreat into their caves. The problem with this approach is that often they develop a mindset of scarcity as a coping mechanism. But this just makes things worse.
People with a scarcity mindset believe that helping others is a bad thing because the more other people have, the less there is for you. So they hold on to things (possessions, money, emotions, food, etc.) with tight, clutched fists.
There’s a quote by Stephen Covey that sums it up well.
“Most people are deeply scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everyone else”. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
People with a Scarcity Mindset have a tough time sharing anything – recognition, credit, profit – even with those who helped them achieve those things! They also have difficulty being happy for other people when they succeed.
The opposite of a Scarcity Mindset is the Abundance Mindset – it flows out of a firm inner sense of personal security and worth. This mindset believes that there is plenty (of everything!) out there for all of us. People
with this mindset share – recognition, power, profit, etc. This mindset believes there are unlimited possibilities and options!
An Abundance Mindset doesn’t come naturally to everyone. If you fall into this category don’t fret. Here are some tips for changing your mindset to a more positive, abundant one.
Focus on what you have – not on what you don’t
Cultivate and develop an attitude of gratitude
Spread the good things around – get into the habit of sharing and giving things away
Express appreciation for others – regularly
Learn to create win-win situations (I’ve always said this is my super power!)
Watch your words – learn to stress the positive
Focus on what is going right – and do more of that.
If this feels awkward to you at first don’t sweat it. It gets easier and more natural over time. Remember, the mindset you have is up to you – and can be changed. You can create an Abundance Mindset for yourself and totally change your life – for the better!
