Feeling Abundant by Overcoming a Scarcity Mindset
How many times have you said, “I don’t have enough time,” “I don’t have enough money,” “I don’t have enough…. love, enough friendship, enough knowledge, enough energy….enough you name it”?
I know I have found myself saying these things, especially about time. I never seem to have enough of it. I’ve been focusing on reminding myself that I have enough time and that I just need to slow down and breathe.
Any time we focus on scarcity, lack, or limitation, we lose focus of our own abundance and actually make things worse instead of better. Stephen Covey coined the term “scarcity mentality” for this principle in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey says, “People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me.”
A scarcity mindset can cause feelings of fear, anger, resentment, jealousy, and depression. It can also cause you to contract and go “inside yourself.” When you are contracted, solutions feel impossible and you may lack the creativity to see possibilities. Not a fun place to be.
The Power of Having an Abundance Mindset
An alternative to the scarcity mindset is having an abundance mindset. An abundance mindset is the belief that there is more than enough in the world, along with the understanding that you are more than enough and that you have everything you need to be successful.
Being abundant is about more than having financial wealth. Abundance includes love, good health, happiness, meaningful work, spirituality, and more.
“Abundance is about being rich, with or without money.” ~ Suze Orman
An abundance mindset causes feelings of joy, love, and optimism. You are in a state of “expansion” rather than “contraction.” You are more creative and are more able to see possibilities. An abundant mindset helps you be more happy and successful in your life, work, and relationships.
According to author Deepak Chopra, “The most important thing to understand is that abundance begins in the mind. Choosing a belief system that cultivates abundance is crucial.”
We may all experience feelings of scarcity from time to time, but it is possible to practice an abundant mindset. Over time, you can train your thought patterns and spend more time feeling abundant. Here are six practices to help open your mind to abundance.
Opening Your Mind to Abundance
1. Practice Gratitude
By noticing and appreciating the things we already have, the people in our lives that support us, and the things that are going right, we open ourselves up to finding even more to be grateful about. Practicing gratitude on a daily basis is perhaps the most powerful thing we can do to increase our feelings of abundance. This can be as simple as starting off the day by writing down three things you are grateful for. You may even want to keep a gratitude journal where you can track everything.
I keep a simple journal with a place set aside for writing down the things I’m grateful for each day. This practice has made a noticeable difference in my life. I’ve found that feeling grateful is the fastest way for me to get back on track when I need to.
2. Relax and Expand Your Vision
According to Deepak Chopra, “Expansion is the great friend of abundance. It brings in the light, opening up new possibilities. In a relaxed, open state, your awareness sees farther, and life isn’t so confined.”
You can expand your vision by looking within. Spend a few minutes each day in quiet meditation or just allow yourself to relax by soaking in a warm bath, going for a walk, practicing yoga, or getting a massage. This is one of the most effective tools, but it’s one that is easy to forget when you’re busy. Some of my most creative ideas came to mind during a massage, during yoga, or while gardening. Allowing your mind to relax and become clear provides the opportunity for new ideas to come in.
“Abundance is a process of letting go; that which is empty can receive.” ~Bryant H. McGill
3. Take Responsibility
Taking full responsibility and reaching a state of acceptance for your life, circumstances, feelings, and future is very empowering. If you feel like you aren’t in control of your own life or that you are a victim, it’s very difficult to have an abundance mindset.
4. Turn Negativity Into Positive Action
If something in your life isn’t going right or is less than ideal, rather than complaining about it or getting caught up in negative emotions, find one positive action you can take to improve the situation. One small step in the right direction can shift the momentum. Positive actions can include researching possible solutions, talking to a close friend or trusted advisor, speaking up, or establishing personal boundaries.
5. Allow Yourself to Feel Luxurious
In the book, The Artist’s Way at Work, authors Mark Bryan and Julia Cameron have a short exercise where they ask the reader to list ten things that cost less than twenty dollars that create a feeling of luxury. As an example, they list buying a new classical CD, a new coffee mug, a bouquet of flowers, and a manicure.
Sometimes allowing yourself to feel luxurious can help you let go of feelings of scarcity. Simple yet inexpensive luxuries are a fun and effective tool in creating an abundance mindset.
6. Use Essential Oil As a Reminder
One of my favorite essential oils is called Abundance by YoungLiving. Just a hint of this wonderfully cinnamony oil is enough to remind me of feelings of abundance. I put the oil on the inside of my wallet and have a pleasant reminder about abundance every time I go to pay for something at the store. It’s a little expensive, but I’ve had the same bottle for several years so it lasts a long time. (Contact me to order Abundance Oil )
What ways do you open your mind to abundance? Let me know in the comments below!
I love this word Abundance and i means so much when you understand what it means, i just been introduced to Spiritual Wellbeing and it is changing my life and so empowering, you just mention Deepak Chopra, i bought his book and help me a lot in term of realising that our body is co capable of healing itself, and i can agree, i have several people who teach a lot about abundance, the like of Abraham Hicks, Dr Wayne Dyer, Bushar, Eckhart Tolle and you just explain it so well… it gives me great joy to know that i am enough and have all i need, these tips of teaching and articles gives us hope in this hard time we live in, they make you realise that, if you stay positive, give gratitude source provide without a doubt, and you realise there is so much to be thankful for, abundance is all around us and available to all.
Thank you Eugenia, you have a great attitude and have found some excellent resources. I love those authors too!
I have just begun work with a Holistic Chiropractor who is beginning a shift within me that is indescribable. Having had some experience with the essential oils from YoungLiving has only opened my mind more that we do have all that we need. Love this article. Thank you very much.
Melissa – thank you so much for sharing your experience 🙂 Please keep us posted and thanks for visiting LifeOhm, I am honored to have you here 🙂
Very nice article. I take print out of this article and give to my friends.
Great and Very informative article, Thanks for sharing this information with us.