What do you think happens to our mind when we believe we have too little? How do you think a mindset of “scarcity” might mold our behavior and our choices? Scarcity captures our mind. It’s said that when we have scarcity, we actually start to have tunnel-vision on what we need in the immediate future…understandably so, right? We hear words of scarcity all the time such as, “I don’t have the time,” or “I’m just so busy!”, or “I just can’t afford that,” or “There’s no way I would ever be able to do that!”. These are scarce ways of managing time, scarce thoughts about what you value and scarce ways of looking at your life overall. Every time we focus on not having enough of something, we are stuck in this tunnel.
Meditation helps me to “look up.” Although we close our eyes in meditation, although we are uber focused in meditation, it’s a way for us to see more clearly. It’s a way for us to see the big picture and release us from the narrow-minded lens through which we see the world.
According to Stephen Covey, “Most people are deeply scripted in…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 everybody else.”
Do you ever find yourself being jealous of the success of other people? It’s okay, you can admit it! I used to! It used to be hard for me to be genuinely happy for someone else’s success. I’ve also worked in environments where the staff was riddled with scarcity mindset and it’s really easy to get sucked into that tunnel! Have you ever gone out after work and started “talking shop” with others, only to leave out a few certain people not in your “circle?” Tunnel Vision. Instead of focusing on the minutiae of what is ailing you in that moment, how would it feel to ask someone else what is doing well in their world? And being happy for them about it? And how would it make them feel?
Thinking abundantly results from having a deep sense of personal worth and security. I get that we don’t always feel this in our lives. But when we step out of the tunnel, we realize that there is plenty to share and enough to go around to everybody. In my own experience, I have found that sharing with people, offering recognition and genuinely being interested in what others do, opens up loads of possibilities and new and exciting opportunities.
Try these on for size this month and let me know how it goes:
1)Tell someone in your life, whether you run a team of people or whether a friend or family member has helped you out in some way, how much you appreciate them. Be specific. Let them know how much you value what they do.
2)Flip the problem upside down. The next time you react to something and see it as a problem, see how fast you can look at the issue as an “opportunity” instead.
3)Everyone can benefit. There are multiple pies, cookies, and cakes out there. Remind yourself whenever you catch yourself thinking thoughts of scarcity, that there is more than enough (time, money, resources) to go around.
4)Surround yourself with positive people. Is there someone in your life who constantly brings you down, or who might make you feel heavy and depressed when you’re around them? You become more like the company you keep. Choose wisely.
5)Gratitude. How can there be room for scarcity when we fill our thoughts and hearts being thankful to the universe and others for what they have given us already? Can’t think of anything? Have you ever missed a meal? Do you have a roof over your head? Feel free to start there.
6)Give a little until you can give a lot. Giving that which you want is a sure-fire way to create abundance. The more you give (and with a benevolent heart), the more you will receive.
7)Repeat. It’s not enough to think about abundance for one day and think it will come true. The abundant mindset will only stick when you make a routine and consciously stick to making abundance a daily part of your life.
Enjoy these practices. I’ll see you on the other side of the tunnel.
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