Abundance Vs Lack Mindset

One of the key lessons that I learned years ago, from a mentor of mine, made a huge difference in my life. It was about Abundance Mindset. At the time I didn't even know what it meant. But when I learned it, I realized I didn't have it.

For some perspective, I grew up in India, studying to be an engineer in the 90's which was a highly competitive environment for kids. There were limited opportunities and millions of students were competing. Add to that, the national obsession of comparing kids with others, you grew up believing that someone else's gain is your loss. Boy, I am glad those days are behind me.

Fast forward few years, that mindset was still ingrained in me until someone I really looked up and respected told me that Life is not a Zero sum game. Someone's gain is not your loss. In fact, he taught me that this way of thinking is a trap because when you think like that you are not believing in the limitlessness of the Universe. You are believing that there is a limit on how much resources are available to everyone.?

The more I associated with him, the more I noticed the evidence of this in his day to day living. And I noticed how blessed he was because he believed blessings are there for everyone.?

It was not easy or immediate, but gradually I started training myself to see things from these new lenses of ABUNDANCE. You can apply it in so many ways, but primarily these are the changes I applied -

1. NO is not final. NO stands for New Opportunity. Blessings delayed don't mean they are denied.

2. Giving - Instead of always thinking of what I can get, start with "What can I offer? What can I give?"

3. Deferring Credit - I was a credit hog when I was young. I am ashamed to say so but it's true. Now, I have learned this to be so true- "You can achieve so much more when you don't care who gets the credit".

4. Revel in others success - I have to admit, this was the hardest change for me to make and even now I can catch myself slipping into lack mentality. At the same time, this is the most significant change I have made that has improved the quality of my life... not just business. Instead of being envious, revel in other's success... celebrate it... promote it... congratulate and collaborate... tell them how proud you are of them... how inspired you are by them...? and ask them "How can I support you? Because when you win, we all win"