Greetings!
This is newsletter #22 of Great Is The Way!
Scarcity and Abundance
The terms "Scarcity Mentality" and "Abundance Mentality" were coined by Stephen R. Covey and defined in his powerful book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
The abundance mindset is one of the most powerful ideas I've ever discovered. It is a cure for the painful symptoms of the scarcity mindset.
Before appreciating the cure for scarcity mindset, we must first recognize the disease.
The Disease: Scarcity Mindset
In the book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," by Stephen Covey, he describes the symptoms of a scarcity mindset in vivid detail. Oh how I wish I would have read this book years ago!
Covey says most people are "deeply scripted in a 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. The Scarcity Mentality is the zero-sum paradigm of life. People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit – even with those who help in the production. They also have a very hard time being genuinely happy for the success of other people." -The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
A Scarcity Mindset diverts our focus from our purpose. It limits our ability to trust. It blocks creative ideas. It stirs up feelings such as fear of loss, jealousy, and resentment. It puts us in a dis-empowered state. It's a momentum stopper. We lose our sense of peace, creativity, and fulfillment.
Yeah, that's not good.
How can we be creative, productive, and happy if we feel like we must crush every competitor or be crushed!
How can we create abundantly if we feel like we can never succeed?
I have been derailed many times by my own scarcity mindset. But now I know the cure.
The Cure: Abundance Mindset
If we have the symptoms of a scarcity mindset, we know we need the cure! The cure is an abundance mindset.
Covey describes the abundance mindset as a belief that flows out of a "deep inner sense of personal worth and security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity." -The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
This is a simple and powerful belief! It is the cure for every symptom of the scarcity mindset.
An abundance mindset is not based on facts, figures, bank accounts, or awards. It is a choice. It is a belief.
We choose to believe: "There is more than enough. There is plenty for everyone."
It's not a debate. It's a choice. It's a belief.
If we struggle with breaking free of a scarcity mindset, then it is an indicator we have other areas in our life that need attention. This is normal as none of us were born perfect! We didn't acquire a scarcity mindset overnight. So there will be some symptoms that flair up on occasion.
The key is: recognize when scarcity thinking surfaces. Once recognized, we can regain our balance much quicker.
Summary
Having an abundance mindset is a powerful and liberating way to live.
It frees us from negative feelings such as fear of loss and jealousy.
It keeps us moving in a positive direction.
It is a key mindset for teamwork.
There is enough for everyone.
Quote of the Week
"I raised you to be a thoroughbred. When thoroughbreds run they wear blinders to keep their eyes focused straight ahead with no distractions, no other horses. They hear the crowd but they don't listen. They just run their own race. That's what you have to do. Don't listen to anyone comparing you to me or to anyone else. You just run your own race." Excerpted from The Right Words at the Right Time (Atria Books, January 2004) by Marlo Thomas.
Finally
I publish this newsletter once a week, every Tuesday.
Feedback is crucial (that's a principle). Got feedback on this topic? I would like to know what you are struggling with, what you're interested in, or what you want to accomplish. The door is open.
My definition of success: "Success is living a life of integrity while pursuing your dreams in a way that serves others."
If this resonates with you, then I'm confident we can grow together.
To your success!
James Wilder
I help people clarify and achieve their goals and dreams by sharing insights on the principles and practices of success that work for anyone.