We have seen what it means to be with a scarcity mindset so it would be easy to just say take everything about scarcity and go the opposite way ad you would be 100% correct. However, that makes for a boring post so let’s look at the abundance mindset and why it is such a good thing to have.
Abundance
Definition
- An extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply: an abundance of grain.
- Overflowing fullness: abundance of the heart.
- Affluence; wealth: the enjoyment of abundance.
Again all three of these definitions fit in such a great way. A leader with an abundant mindset doesn’t see any limits and if there are limits, he is already looking for a way to get past that obstacle. An abundant mindset is one where you don’t worry about the resource at hand there is more where that came from.
You ever hear, my cup runneth over? That is an abundance mindset. You don’t have to worry about X, Y, or Z the solution will be found. Stephen Covey put it best
A concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and successes to share with others
Stephen Covey – 7 habits of highly effective people
You are in control
No more acting like a victim. You are in control of your actions, thoughts, and destiny. A leader who has abundance doesn’t see a limit. Now is it all rainbows and unicorn farts being an abundant mindset? No, you know there are times that you will have to get up and put a little elbow grease into a task. You understand that there are times that it will become extremely uncomfortable. Yet you see the big picture and if you can put up with a little discomfort for a short while, the payoff is incredible.
Physical Manifestations of An Abundance Mindset
Some of the worst physical manifestations will be late night’s sore muscles and big smiles. Yeah, you will be sore from some of the work. You may even go a night or two without sleep. Yet you know there are rewards if you put in the hard effort.
Men with an abundant mindset also, a lot more relaxed. Thing don’t cause them to react they will respond to whatever arises but they won’t be in panic mode. More often than not an abundant mentality also is energize that the prospect of a task. Unlike the scarcity mindset where they dread the task at hand. There are a lot fewer worries with the abundant mindset.
Clarity
People with abundant mindsets also have more clarity in what they want to accomplish. They see the big picture and know how they want to proceed. The abundant mindset doesn’t limit your view but helps expand it.
There are always choices
Often associated with the analogy of There is always another door. If an abundant mindset person encounters a door they don’t go oh darn there’s a shut door. The person with an abundant mindset will then proceed to check to see if the door is unlocked or latched at all. The door isn’t the obstacle to successful leaders.
Problems Are Looking for solutions
Entrepreneurs often have this mindset. If a problem crosses their path they often look for the solution. Then realize that the solution at hand could be a service. Positive mindset leaders don’t worry about a problem. It means they have to focus on this task for a bit and that it will lead them to their destination. Fretting and worrying about something that is keeping you from your goal isn’t productive. f you have an abundant mindset you won’t get lost in something that won’t keep you from your goal.
There are Plenty of Resources
There is a game called Fallout 4 and in this game, you can run around and pick up all sorts of things. From Teddy bears to bowling pins, pots, and pans, dishes and more. All of these things that you can pick up allows for you to be able to build stuff. You get fabric from teddy bears and wood from bowling pins. So there are resources all over the place you just have to do some work to get those resources. That is what an abundant mindset will do for you it will open your eyes to the opportunities that are ahead of you
Unlike scarcity mindset where you feel you are trapped because there is no option and you are in a resource desert. The abundant mindset opens the windows to all the different opportunities. You don’t have to worry about someone stealing your idea. There are more ideas rolling around in your mind. So you share and the other folks share and your ideas grow and expand and become better because you did share your thoughts and ideas without the fear that they were going to be stolen.
Besides, why worry about you getting your idea stolen. There are no original ideas any more they are conglomerations of other thoughts and practices. They are then morphed into a different thought.
You see what is working
Instead of focusing on what is not working and complaining about everything that is broken. The leader with an abundant mindset will give energy to what he sees is working. He won’t throw resources to a project that isn’t going to yield any results. The reason the abundant leader can do this is that he sees the whole picture. He doesn’t get focused on one issue he is able to see what project is producing the best results and is able to direct his energy to that area.
Proactive
An abundant minded leader takes a proactive approach to any task. If he needs to count the 327 ducks he will get after it he won’t wait for a duck counter to happen by. Yet if he knows where he can get the best duck counter in town, he will be on the phone making a deal with that duck counter. That way he can apply his talents to where they are needed.
Welcomes change
We know change happens. The saying the more things change the more they stay the same. Reflects the fact that everything changes. You can’t change what you can’t control. Many people with an abundant mindset know that is useless worrying about something you can’t change.
You only have a certain amount of energy you can expend. So why spend time and energy on something that is not going to produce a result. Abundant minded leaders know that it is useless to fight against change and instead learn to roll with the punches and grow stronger from the experience.
So welcome the change don’t fight it. The change is going to happen whether you want it too or not. So go ahead and want it to happen and enjoy the ride.
Grateful
Gratitude, I have spoken a lot about how a grateful leader is a happier and more relaxed leader. People are able to take unexpected changes when they have an attitude of gratitude.
You can be miserable or you can be happy. Yeah, something unexpected and unwelcome may have happened. Yet, if you are grateful and have trained yourself to look for grateful events you will see the positive of an event more readily than if you don’t have a grateful attitude.
If you are grateful you have the heart full of happiness or in other words, you have an abundant mindset.
Likes to learn
It is stated
When you stop learning you start dying
Albert Einstein
You never stop learning. Learning is one of those instances that help you grow and expand as a human. When you have a fixed mindset you don’t grow. You think you know all that need to know.
While a growth mindset and an abundant mindset are about acknowledging that you grow more and more each day you have to learn. When you learn and grow you develope. You fail at something you learn from that experience. Everything that happens to you and it teaches you that you can do is grow from the experience. That experience always presents a lesson.
The only way you are able to fail from that type of experience is if you give up. If you decide that the lesson isn’t for you to learn and you turn away from what life is trying you teach you.
Therefore you want to learn you don’t want to turn away from an opportunity to learn a new life skill or get the chance to have a mindset shift that could open doors you never thought possible.
Abundant mindset is the mindset of people who like to learn and they do so in a grateful way. They understand that life is never going to be the same and change is inevitable.
The abundant mindset allows for leaders to understand that there are plenty of resources in the world and are not afraid that someone is going to take someone else’s ideas or customers. They see the big overall picture and understand that there are plenty of opportunity and resources. They have the clarity of their choices and the open mind of all the resources at their fingertips.
So find a way to look on the bright side. If you need help in being coached I do offer coaching services that can help you build a mindset of bountiful thoughts and a positive mindset. Next week I will talk about how you can become someone with an abundant mindset.
