Abundance Mindset: How to Develop One and When Does it Work?
Many of you may be familiar with the 1968 Stanford Marshmallow Experiment. In this study, children were given a choice: they could eat one marshmallow immediately or wait 15 minutes to receive two marshmallows. Follow-up studies suggested that the children who were able to delay gratification and wait for the second marshmallow generally performed better in various life outcomes, such as academic success and emotional resilience.
In 2012, researchers conducted the same experiment but also played with trust by having the researcher promise to return to the room if the child pressed a bell. For one group, the researcher kept this promise, while for the other group, the researcher broke the promise by not returning as stated. The group where trust was not broken was able to wait (12 minutes) 4 times longer for the second marshmallow compared to the broken-promise group.
In the book Dopamine Nation, the author, Anna Lembke states being around reliable and honest people, enables us to feel confident about our world. It gives a sense of safety and predictability giving us the ability to have an abundance or plenty mindset. Versus being around people who lie to us makes the world dangerous and creates the need to be in survival mode. In this case we will favor short-term vs long-term gains.
She quotes an experiment done by Warren Bickel where one group participants read a passage about being promoted and having abundance of options, where as in the other the passage one is fired and financially strained. Participants who had the abundant passage were more likely to delay gratification for a monetary reward vs the later wanted the reward immediately.
Therefore if you want to have an abundant mindset, you need to create a sense of safety first. You can do this by surrounding yourself with stable and reliable, trustworthy people. Additionally, building confidence and trust in your own ability to manage uncertainty is crucial. The more you trust — in both yourself and the people around you — the more freely you can think with an abundance mentality. I know it’s easier said than done.
Another question I’ve considered is when an abundant mindset actually benefits us. While some might view abundance through a karmic lens, I prefer to ground my understanding in tangible evidence. My hypothesis is that for those of us not burdened by basic survival needs like shelter, food, and safety, adopting an abundant mindset offers numerous advantages. It’s a privilege afforded to our generation. By generously giving to others, we foster a sense of community. This generosity is often reciprocated, enhancing our lives through shared knowledge and resources. Thus, the abundant mindset not only enriches our own lives but also strengthens the bonds within our communities.
In the book Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, Adam Grant classifies individuals into three types: givers, takers, and matchers. Givers are those who give more than they get, always helping others, sharing knowledge, and making connections without expecting anything in return. Takers like to get more than they give, prioritizing their own interests over the needs of others. Matchers operate on a principle of fairness and reciprocity, willing to give as long as they get something equivalent in return.
Grant’s argument in Give and Take highlights that while takers may find short-term success, givers often achieve greater success in the long run. This intriguing observation is backed by research across various industries and job roles. This aligns with the idea that survival instincts drive short-term gains, but a more sustainable approach involves giving.
Delving deeper, adopting the role of a giver — someone who embodies an abundant mindset — proves beneficial when done strategically. It’s crucial to give thoughtfully rather than indiscriminately to avoid being exploited. Grant discusses the importance of being discerning about when, how, and to whom you give, ensuring that this generosity translates into long-term advantages. This strategic approach helps maintain a balance where one can be generous without being taken advantage of, ultimately securing a position of strength.
If you enjoyed the article and want to buy the book, please use: Dopamine Nation or Give and Take above. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 🙏
