How to Flip The ‘Mindset’ Switch with Abundant Thinking
The amount of time I’ve been wrong in my life is disturbing. Then again, it’s a good job I’ve been wrong so often, because it’s the realisation that you were once wrong that allows you to appreciate how much you have grown.
You see, you only know what you know, so each time you learn something new (or appreciate something from a new perspective), you prove a past version of you wrong.
In a nutshell, this is growth.
And growth is important.
As I look back on my life, I always thought I had a good, positive outlook. In many ways, I do. I like to look on the bright side and assume the positive. Sure, I’m human and slip into doubt and pessimism, but I do my best to break free from this way of thinking.
For the most part, I’m conscious of it when it happens.
I literally take a step back and ask myself, “What will this way thinking achieve. Calm down. Breathe. Get back to work.”
There are more people in this world who do not do this, so I was always proud of my outlook and approach. I figured I was okay and better than most. I assumed I was ahead of the curve.
Which is why, when I began my descent into the topic of ‘mindset’ and notions such as abundance thinking, it hit me hard in the face.
Do you ever have it “figured” out?
I presumed I had ‘this’; that I was ahead of the curve; that I would delve deeper into the rabbit hole that is ‘mindset’ and realise I was already on the right track.
Nope.
For as often as I’m a colourful rainbow who believes anything is possible, I’m equally as black and white and assume it’s either ‘this or that’.
… That I’m either good at something or not.
… That I either have what it takes or not.
Such a mindset is what breeds so much pessimism, fear, and doubt into so many people.
Such thinking makes you stubborn.
And if there’s one thing I am, it’s stubborn (in work and in life).
I dig my heels in.
I refuse to face the music, and often make matters worse because of it.
In essence, I don’t focus on the abundance in this world (the fact there is enough of everything for me to thrive: time, love, knowledge, help, belief, money…), and instead slip into a ‘scarcity mindset’.
What is a scarcity mindset?
A scarcity mindset is the outlook that there isn’t enough; that you don’t have enough.
It’s the outlook that if you aren’t with me, you’re against me.
As such, if you want something, you take it.
If someone has something you don’t, you look to them with envy.
You wish… you dream… you hope… you sulk.
So many negative emotions, feelings and actions ignite out of a scarcity mindset. You grow bitter. You become jealous. You lose sight of what’s important. You stop believing that you have what it takes, or that you’re on the right path. Fear takes over, and you start grabbing for anything and everything you can.
Because there isn’t enough of it, and you want it; you need it.
This shocked me. This shook me.
The deeper I dove into the topic of mindset (and everything that comes with it), and the further I dove into my own thoughts, beliefs, and past… well, I realised I have a lot to learn.
… that I do not have it figured out.
… that I am not as on top of it as I may have assumed.
… that I am not better than most people.
I want to live in a world of abundance. Do you?
I appreciate some people will say this is nonsense, and that a world where everyone can have anything they want is a pipedream; There are only so many resources. There is only so much money. There is only so much space for so many people, and the idea that everyone can sit back and relax because of ‘abundance’… a stupid idea.
In many ways, this is true.
But I want to believe in this notion of abundance; I want to wake up each day and live it.
Don’t you?
This isn’t to say I believe you can sit back and expect handouts, but it is to say you don’t need to wake up and worry each day about what you don’t have.
… or how you need this.
… or how you want that, and such-and-such person has it.
… or maybe I don’t have what it takes.
… or whatever other emotions, feelings, and fears bombard you.
I have enough; I am enough.
And you have enough; you are enough.
I want to both believe this and live this. Not just some days when I’m feeling good about me and the world, but during the days when I take a hit to the chest or wake up feeling… “meh”.
I want to “know” that there is enough (that I am enough).
I want to believe that so long as I put my best foot forward, create my best work , and do my best to make today work, that opportunities WILL greet me.
No guarantees. No handouts. No cash in hand.
But opportunity… yes.
This is abundance…
In my opinion, this is what having an abundant mindset is about (and how it smashes a scarcity mindset to smithereens). It’s to believe that opportunity is there at all times, no matter what.
To make this happen, sometimes you have to open your eyes wider, listen more carefully, and reach your hand into a dark hole and take a chance.
And as you do, believe that this (and you) is enough.
That there is enough, period.
And I’ll be honest with you right now… this is so hard.
It’s easy to read these words, and it’s easy to read books that focus on this. To an extent, it’s easy to take a step back and realise you aren’t as ‘on top of it’ as you thought you were.
But to then take control of this and stop your scarcity thinking before it takes control of you…
This is hard.
It’s far easier to give into your fears and play the victim, or assume you don’t have what it takes, but is this what you want?
Because it isn’t what I want.
What I want is to believe there is always opportunity. That no matter what obstacle stands before you, there isn’t only a way around it, but a better life beyond it.
And since I’ve subscribed to this way of thinking, I have come across so much opportunity.
It cannot be a coincide.
Of course, I do not have all this “figured out”.
I have bad days that knock me down where all I want to do is whine, cry, and assume the worst.
But I’m working on this. I’m working on being kinder, healthier, happier, and present in the now. I’m working on me, my relationships, my work, my ideas, and my own wandering mind that makes so little sense so very often.
I’m not there, but I strive to make strides each day.
This is enough.
You too have abundance in your life (no matter who or where you are)
In essence, this notion of abundance is the exact type of mindset I crave. I desire the ability to grow and progress (no matter how big or small) each day. Because so long as you’re moving, you’re winning; so long as you’re pushing yourself a little further, you are on the right track.
And I get it, this is scary because you don’t know for sure that opportunity resides around the next corner. You want so much right now, and you’re unsure if you can wait. All this sounds nice in theory, but if you ‘hustle’ today then you can almost guarantee the money, fame, and ego you desire tomorrow.
This is the dilemma, right?
Of course, and you are not alone. This is what I go through each day, too.
All this in theory… so simple — yet the hardest thing I think I’ve ever had to do.
Because in this moment right now, I only know what I know. In the same way diving into the rabbit-hole of ‘mindset’ opened my eyes to so much, there will be other people, ideas, and books that open my eyes in the future. And when this happens, I will look back on this article and realise how wrong I was.
This is growth.
This is the reality we live in.
You only know what you know.
So right now (if this article has slapped you around the face), force yourself to accept that you are not as smart and progressive as you like to think (and appreciate that this isn’t a bad thing).
Question your ego, and be honest with how you approach adversity and everyday life.
Become aware of when you slip into ‘scarcity’ mode.
For now, this is enough.
I am by no means a finished article. I do my best to be aware of my mindset and choose to grow and progress through the opportunities that I encounter.
I am a human being who deserves to live a fulfilling and abundant life.
You do, too.
I began to question all of these a few years ago, when I found out my daughter was to enter this world. It forces me to truly question the life I lived, and the way I used (and abused) time. This led me on a journey, which, as it often does, took me to the page.
If this resonates with you, our paths may be aligned.
I completed my latest book (a parable/ fable) very much centres around whole life balance, getting caught up in the hustle, and defining your success. If you’re interested, you may request a sample of the book here.
And, you may also be interested in the Free Facebook Community I run.
I created this community to open the entrepreneur’s eyes; to awaken them to the “hustle” they’re caught in. As well as creating an awareness of their current reality, the community facilitates conversation to show them the life and lifestyle they could live.
Not to provide them all the answers they want, but to give them the questions they need.
Click here and let’s journey together.
