I found an article last week that opened up questions I need to explore. I began looking at where my mindset is regarding abundance and lack or scarcity. Was I on the road to abundance, or had I slipped back into a scarcity mindset?
ClydeBank Media defined scarcity mindset as the idea or worldview that opportunities, resources, and successes are rare and you must guard them. An abundance mindset is the worldview that opportunities and successes are always available, and there’s never a shortage of ways to accomplish your goals.
5 Signs You Have a Scarcity Mindset is a good article for clarity. The article points out how you can switch to an abundance mindset when you change your way of thinking. That can be a tough road to travel, but it’s so worth it. You open up a new world of opportunities by focusing on gratitude, not taking part with negative thoughts, devoting your time and resources into others, and looking for gratification in healthy life-giving relationships.
“Believing that life’s situations are fixed is perhaps the biggest pitfall of the scarcity mindset. We think that’s just the way it is instead of changing our frame of mind and seeking our own happiness. Thinking this way has a negative effect in many regards. It depletes our energy, harms our self-esteem, and makes life a burden, in general.”
The 5 signs of a scarcity mindset are:
- Giving into believing that situations are permanent and can’t be changed.
- Using thoughts and words of scarcity – I’m not good enough or I must go without.
- Being envious of others by comparing yourself to others. Do I have what it takes?
- Not being generous and holding back your time, treasures, and talents.
- Overindulgence in using money to buy pleasure.
The article gives you antidotes for each of these signs. It can help you see ways you need to change and turn around and help others recognize these signs.
One question I have now is how scarcity thinking ties in with trauma, especially the trauma that comes from neglect. When people important to us, specifically when we are young, hold back time, provision, praise, conversations, and opportunities, does it open you up to a scarcity mindset? Not sure, but it makes sense that it could. Stay tuned and I’ll let you know what I discover as I journey on.
One of my life verses that comes to mind is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare (abundance) and not for evil (scarcity or lack), to give you a future and a hope.” Now that’s good news!
Are you ready for more time, energy, and resources to spend with family and things you enjoy? What’s stopping you? Leave a comment on what stood out to you and what you need to address to change?
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