Mindset Shift: Amplifying Abundance

About a decade ago, I received a great running advice from my then running coach, which I’ve never implemented into my running but have used avidly and actively in my career. The suggestion was to choose one positive word for every mile of running to keep myself motivated on my long runs. This, in a roundabout way, led to my practice of selecting a Guiding Word of the Year. Just like in running, on the career journey, clarity of purpose and strong motivation are vital for the achievement of success. A well-chosen word can keep me on target whenever I need to redirect my mind away from negative thoughts or distractions. The word of the year helps me reconnect with my “why” to keep focus on my goals instead of the obstacles. When faced with what seems like insurmountable obstacles, the word of the year can rev up a dwindling motivation. When setting my goal for a new year, I also choose my word for the year to ground me and guide my efforts when I navigate choices throughout the year.

For me, setting the goal for the year is a straight-forward process. I simply ask what is one personal and one professional goal I want to achieve by the end of the year. For example, in 2022, my personal goal was to run a half marathon every month, which I achieved with the exception of July when I had Covid. My professional goal was to double the number of the free introduction meetings I offer. My word for the year was stamina. I knew I would need the physical strength for my running goal, and the emotional strength to hit my lead gen goal, converting leads into meetings.

For 2023, I decided to keep my personal goal of running a half marathon every month as a path to my goal to run a half marathon in all fifty states. My professional goal is a 10% increase converting introduction meetings into paid clients. The word that forcefully popped into my brain was “amplify.” I looked it up, and found the following definition in the Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary:

“:to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity): increase.”

Needless to say, I was determined to start 2023 on a high note leveraging the excitement of the beginning of the year to amplify my business: to grow my leads, pipeline, and client base. I made a resolution to increase the volume in both my personal and professional life.

And then, everything turned upside down with the passing of my father on January 13th. Suddenly, the world has changed; it became a lesser place without my father. I was feeling a little lost and went into fear mode. And fear is at the heart of scarcity. Taking time off, I started worrying whether I’d be able to keep making money, to get more clients, and whether I’d be able to write again. I started spiraling down in the energy of lack: “what if” and “I’ll never.” The feelings of scarcity didn’t necessarily present in big ways, but they did show up in lots of small ways making me doubt whether I will ever have enough energy, motivation, ideas, creativity, etc.

I really don’t like having such feelings, being in that emotional headspace. I quickly realized I needed to make the shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, to allow myself to embrace this moment in my life with an openness to be OK with what is, to not try to strive for more but rather reduce the load trusting that I am exactly where I need to be, to allow myself to connect with?feeling abundant, and to appreciate all the things I already have.

At its simplest, abundance is about having plenty of something, more than is actually needed. Abundance is in the eye of the beholder. It is not about how much we have but rather how much we believe is enough. Sadly, the feeling of “enoughness” can be elusive in a culture that pushes us to continuously strive for more. It’s almost as if we’ve been conditioned to have a scarcity mentality. The tragic irony is that the more we have, the more we want: more money, more material stuff, more time, more productivity, more accolades, more approval, more achievements, etc. None inherently bad, but when we are driven by an endless pursuit of more, it could become a problem if not aligned with true needs and values. Too much of anything, even a good thing, can become counterproductive and a hindrance to progress.

Since my father’s passing, I’ve been thinking a lot about abundance, seeking that feeling of peace and well-being that comes with “enoughness.” In a world without my father, I have to learn to sincerely accept the past and my choices (the big one is choosing to immigrate to the US), to make the most of the present (but with ease), and to look forward with hope.

I am hoping that adopting an abundance mindset will allow me to see more in life: more options, more choices, and more possibilities at a time when the world seems a little less bright and feels chaotic and more difficult flooded by emotions. I recognize that tuning into abundance, seeing the good that is present and the potential for the future, doesn’t mean that everything is OK. It just means that alongside all that is broken, there is also enoughness: enough love, friendship, career success, and opportunities. Amplifying my life at this point is about being anchored in abundance; instead of striving for more, enjoying all that I have to the fullest, celebrating every moment and every breath.

The foundation of abundance is gratitude. As I work to adopt a mindset of abundance, I am looking for things to be grateful for. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by good people, by beauty, kindness, love, and caring support.

No matter what your goal for the year is, I hope you can be here, with me, allowing yourself to feel the abundance you already have in your life as you take the time to discover who you are becoming on your journey to the next level. Remember: your mind is a hub of opportunities waiting to happen.

To Amplify Your Career Abundance:

• Work from your strengths
• Make meaningful contributions
• Apply your skills and resources in plentiful measures