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Writer's pictureThea Lessard

Stop Fearing Scarcity: How to Create an Abundance Mindset

Indeed, you are your own worst enemy; you've heard that expression before.



Many individuals may find this to be accurate. If you can't shift your perspective from one of scarcity to one of plenty, it will be difficult to achieve your goals in life. Beliefs like "I can't accomplish that" and "I'm not good enough" prevent you from reaching your full potential.


So what if you rewrote history?


The key to a life of plenty is realizing your own and others' infinite potential. The doors of possibility will open wide before you once you broaden your horizons and adopt an attitude of plenty.


This post will show you how to replace the worry and narrow perspective of scarcity with optimistic signals that make you feel as though you already possess the necessary resources, or that you will find out how to get them.


Learn to replace a fear of lack with a desire for more in order to build the awesome existence you deserve.


A attitude of plenty means what?


To have an abundant attitude is to recognize that one's possibilities are virtually endless.


It indicates an awareness of one's own and others' potential. This leads you to actively pursue the realization of your ideal existence.


The following characteristics immediately come to me when I consider an abundant mindset:


  • Individuals with an abundant mindset are more likely to think on a grand scale than those with a scarcity perspective.

  • An abundant mentality is a growth mindset, the conviction that one's knowledge and abilities may be developed further via intentional effort.

  • The optimistic view is that of the "glass half full" person who looks at their resources rather than at what they lack.

  • With an abundance mindset, you see that there is an infinite supply of opportunities, relationships, and material goods. To rephrase, other people's good fortune does not diminish your own.

  • Characterized by a lack of jealousy, they are truly delighted for the accomplishments of others.

  • They are not resistant to change but rather accept and welcome it.

  • They are doers, grabbing chances and working hard to achieve their goals.

  • They don't just sit around and wait for things to happen; instead, they make preparations for the future.

  • Rather than thinking they know it all, people with an abundant attitude are always willing to learn more.

  • They are well aware of their own abilities and have capitalized on them to achieve success. They aren't held back by their flaws but rather see them as opportunities.


Scarcity vs abundance mindset



Scarcity is always a problem. You can't begin until you get through it.



Those who think in terms of scarcity believe that whatever benefit one party receives must come at the expense of another.


Thinking in terms of scarcity limits your options. You have built a home out of bitterness, entitlement, complacency, and victimization. You feel jealous of other people who achieve achievement.


Individuals who constantly complain about how little they have not only drive others away, but also prevent themselves from progressing in their lives. The things they say include:


  • What they want never fails to materialize.

  • Nothing I wish ever comes true.

  • I'm broke right now.

  • I just can't manage it.


When resources are limited, individuals become competitive rather than cooperative. They are more concerned with protecting their own interests than finding ways to aid others. Instead than sharing for the benefit of society as a whole, they hoard resources like money and power.


It's easy to understand why many of these traits might cause others to avoid you (and potential chances). Who wants to collaborate with a cheapskate whose sole concern is for their own welfare?


When you can free your mind from the idea that resources are limited, you open it up to a universe of opportunities. You have self-awareness and the courage to build on your abilities. When you appreciate who you are, you may better recognize the worth in those around you. When your goal is the success of others, you are more willing to aid them.


Opportunities in employment, relationships, family, and happiness all accrue to those who adopt a mindset of service and leadership.


Why an abundance mindset is essential for success


Those that are successful often view challenges as opportunities.


Carol Dweck, Ph.D., is a star psychologist who studies the effects of self-perception on actions at Stanford University. Both of these mindsets are discussed in her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Achievement." She distinguishes between a "fixed mindset" and a "growth mindset" rather than a "scarcity vs. abundance" perspective.


Those who hold a fixed mentality believe that their innate abilities are set in stone and cannot be improved upon. They don't consider their strengths as something they can cultivate and enhance through time, but rather as fixed characteristics.


People with a growth mindset think that they can continue to improve their IQ and other cognitive abilities over time. They put forth additional effort to learn new things and hone their skills, believing that doing so would help them succeed in life.


Dweck studied students in an experiment. Those with a rigid outlook, her research showed, are more likely to:


  • Make an effort to sound smarter.

  • Consider their IQ to be unchangeable from birth.

  • Do not risk ridicule by appearing inept.


Conversely, those who adopt a development mentality are more likely to:


Think that they can improve their intelligence by working hard and gaining experience.

Think about how you can improve yourself

Force oneself to get better

It's easy to see how someone with a rigid worldview may feel trapped. If your IQ is set at birth, then there's no use in trying to raise it via hard effort.


Successful people have a growth attitude, which means they know they can improve. They're up for a good fight. They made an effort to study and develop their abilities. So, they are open to exploring alternative routes to achievement.


Suggestions for cultivating a grateful attitude


You may cultivate a development mindset by repeated effort even if you have problems doing so at present. If you want to grow your own abilities and help others in constructive ways, try these abundant mindset exercises.


1. Acknowledge and embrace your imperfections.

Those with a scarcity mindset are more likely to deny or downplay their inadequacies. You constantly wallow in self-pity and do little to better yourself. You try to bury your fears and doubts. This can lead to dangerous habits like self-harm or taking out aggression on others.


Admitting your flaws in a mature and forgiving manner opens the door to self-improvement. Then you'll be able to take the first steps toward improving yourself. When you accept your flaws, rather than beating yourself up, blaming others, or spiraling into negative thoughts and actions, you can forgive yourself when you make errors and learn from them.


Of course, you shouldn't wallow in your imperfections and refuse to improve. Yet if you have an accurate image of yourself, you can accept and even celebrate your flaws in a positive way.


2. Foster your virtues.

Indeed, everyone has their own set of shortcomings. We do, however, have certain advantages. Discovering your strengths allows you to put your best foot forward in life. My definition of a strength is as follows:


  • Something about oneself that can be developed further via testing and exercise.

  • Something that you excel at and take pleasure in

  • Something you do repeatedly and have good results at


Working hard at something you enjoy doing will inevitably lead to a positive outcome. The success you've achieved will do wonders for your self-esteem. You have a higher sense of self-worth now.


When you're comfortable in your own skin, you don't let other people's strengths bother you. When you see the value in others and the contributions they may make, this style of thinking encourages a life of plenty.


3. Imagine yourself succeeding.


To "visualize" is to envisage something that will happen in the future. Imagine what it would be like to be successful or to be your best self. While this may sound new agey, studies have shown that it's actually quite effective.


Russian researchers looked at whether or not Olympic competitors who practiced visualization techniques were more likely to achieve their goals. Four different groups were formed from the participants. Before the race, each competitor engaged in varying degrees of mental preparation by seeing themselves as the victor.


  • Class one: all-out physical exertion

  • Second group: 75% physical, 25% mental

  • Third group: equal parts of mental and physical exercise

  • Fourth group: 75% mental, 25% physical

Group 4 showed the most improvement from training to competition.


Harvard psychiatrist Srinivasan S. Pillay observed that seeing oneself performing a job stimulates the same brain receptors as when one really performs the action in his book, Your Brain and Business: The Neuroscience of Brilliant Leaders. Consider of it as a means to provide the impression to your brain that you've already accomplished something before you really do it. Then, when the time comes to perform the thing, like take a large exam or go on a big interview, your brain will be more prepared and you'll be more aware of potential pitfalls.


Take some time each week to see yourself as you would like to be or accomplishing the goals you have set for yourself. Put your eyes closed or sketch an image of the outcome going your way.


Inquire within:


  • Can anything be done?

  • What would the most refined and fruitful solution look like?

  • Is there a way to quantify success?


Visualization can help you envisage a life of plenty. Envision yourself with a healthy money account, a new job, and a happy home life. Believe in yourself and your ability to realize your loftiest ambitions.


4. Identify, re-wire, and repeat


Scarcity beliefs and other pessimistic cognitive processes are more common among children. You get used to doing them automatically. Maybe you were told that such things were only achievable for other people, and not for you: success, financial stability, or love. Or perhaps you still worry about being unable to provide for yourself and your dependents since you never did as a child.


Having such convictions as an adult is inevitable.


The good news is that neuroplasticity, a field of study in neurology, suggests it is possible to change your way of thinking for the better. Do the following abundant mindset activities to replace pessimistic thinking with more optimistic perspectives:


First, identify


Listen to your thoughts. Listen to your critical thoughts. Keeping track of your thoughts for a week or two could assist. Make a note whenever you find yourself adopting a scarcity mentality. Some persons or events may consistently bring up such feelings in you.


Second, re-wire


Stop living in perpetual self-doubt and embrace a mentality of plenty instead. Flip your lack of positivity into an abundance of optimism. Just a few instances:


Thinking in terms of scarcity: "There just isn't enough time to do everything I want to do."

Mentality of plenty: "I will schedule my day such that my priorities are met."


I can't be joyful because of my scarcity attitude.

Mindset of abundance: "I spend less than I earn, find interesting and unusual methods to get money, and give thanks often for all my blessings."


I can't because of my scarcity mindset.

A mindset of abundance says, "I will make the most of my abilities, put in plenty of effort, and improve over time."


Third, repeat


You can literally rewire your brain by switching from a scarcity attitude to an abundance one. You'll discover that positive self-talk and an abundant attitude come more easily to you as you make the shift. The mindset of plenty becomes automatic.


Through practice, you may learn to overcome self-doubt and keep going when things become tough. Instead, you will actively explore for methods to better yourself and others, seek out learning opportunities, and welcome new experiences. You'll have a richer life because of it.


5. Donate and volunteer

If you frequently think in terms of scarcity, you may view another person's success as your own failure. Instead, those with an abundant mindset recognize the boundless opportunities open to them. When you give to others, whether it's with your time, money, love, or attention, it doesn't diminish what you have yourself. In fact, it improves the quality of your life by giving you a sense of fulfillment and significance by helping others.


As a general rule, generosity is rewarded.


By helping others, you may train your mind to expect only good things to happen to you. Volunteering and monetary donations are great ways to develop the habit of sharing what you have rather than hoarding. In addition to the obvious benefits to others, regular acts of altruism have been shown to increase one's own sense of well-being and contentment.


Ready to live an abundant life?

It's not always simple to alter one's worldview. This might not occur immediately. When individuals are stuck in their own thoughts, it helps to have someone else look at things from the outside in.


As a career coach, I draw from disciplines such as neuroscience and psychology to help my clients reach their full potential in all aspects of life. Understanding how to cultivate an attitude of plenty is something I've learned.


The correct community can help you detect negative thought patterns and replace them with an attitude of abundance. Get in touch with us whenever you're ready.

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