The Vulnerability of an Abundance Mindset

By Chris White

 “Anyone who truly wants to be free won’t desire something that is actually in someone else’s control.” -Seneca

How do we cultivate an abundance mindset, especially in such difficult times? COVID- 19 has brought our world economy to its knees with over 100,000 companies permanently closed, millions of people unemployed, and services disrupted and delayed. This combination of events can create a scarcity mindset - believing there will never be enough, causing feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress. Under these circumstances, how can you change your mindset? It starts with the one thing you can control – the way you react. God gave us free will – the ability to choose between different courses of action. But in times of uncertainty, we can feel frozen, paralyzed, and scared. To move forward, we have to acknowledge the fear and anxiety that’s making us feel vulnerable.

Let’s unpack vulnerability. Being vulnerable means that you’re willing to acknowledge difficult emotions like shame, sadness, frustration, and anxiety. It’s human nature to avoid these emotions because it hurts. However, we know the negative side effects that avoiding our emotions can have on us physically and mentally. Short term pain will help us avoid long term illness and regret.

After we choose to be vulnerable and acknowledge our fear and anxiety, we can move forward to embrace and cultivate an abundance mindset. Steven Covey first coined the terms “scarcity” and “abundance” - in his best-selling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. To move towards an abundance mindset where we have a deep inner sense of our personal worth and security, we have to shift our thinking. We remind ourselves that there’s plenty for everyone and enough to spare. We celebrate our colleagues’ wins. We don’t feel as if we missed out or that something was taken from us. When I joined EOS Worldwide as a professional implementer there were only 30 implementers worldwide. Today, we are approaching 400! With the increased number of implementers, clients now have more choices. If I choose to have a scarcity mindset, I will act as if there are not enough clients for us all. I’m going to protect my turf and get what’s mine before they do. Thinking like this builds resentment towards my fellow implementers, lowers my confidence, and increases my anxiety.

 Here are 5 things you can do to shift your mindset. 

1. Show Gratitude – Keep a gratitude journal.
2. Radiate Happiness – Even under tough circumstances.
3. Surround Yourself with an Abundance Mindset People – Shed the scarcity mindset people.
4. Stay Confident – Even when you’re not.
5. Stay Focused – On your long-term goals.

“The mind is everything, what you think you become.” - Buddha

Mindset is a critical component in business, sports, and life. Surround yourself with positive, happy, abundance-minded people. Spend time with them and their attitudes will rub off on you. Just remember the same can be said if you surround yourself with people with a scarcity mindset.