Abundance or Lack: It’s Your Choice

By Daniel Rendelman

Two shoe salespeople were sent to a third-world country to open new markets. What they found was astonishing.  Three days after arriving they both called the office.  One salesperson said, “I’m returning on the next flight. I can’t sell shoes here. It is a disaster. Everybody goes barefoot.” A few minutes later the other salesperson called to the factory, telling “This is the best opportunity ever! Absolutely glorious. The prospects are unlimited. Nobody wears shoes here!

There are two ways to look at every situation. Of these two salespeople, one had an abundance mindset while the other saw only lack. It was the same scenario but two different mindsets. The opportunities for your business are no doubt identical. You might not be selling shoes, but you are wanting to expand, be more profitable, and serve your clients. 

An abundance mindset allows you to see more; to perceive what is possible. It doesn’t think of lack. This type of mentality is what leads entrepreneurs to flourish, artists to create, and leaders to lead. It is open to learning and growth. This paradigm places you in the driver’s seat. It is full of inspiration and energy

“In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail—or if you’re not the best—it’s all been wasted. The growth mindset allows people to value what they’re doing regardless of the outcome. They’re tackling problems, charting new courses, and working on important issues. Maybe they haven’t found the cure for cancer, but the search was deeply meaningful,” said  Carol S. Dweck “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” 

A Harvard University study found that when people have a positive mindset that it can lead to receiving more abundance. Like a magnet, the mind powerfully attracts whatever is considered.  The Harvard researchers concluded that when we “focus on one particular thing very intently, other possibilities that are right in front of us can go completely unnoticed. The brain can only absorb so much, so if your belief is “I can’t do it” or “it’s impossible” then any other thoughts contradicting that will get thrown out. Start training your mind to loosen its focus and create an expanded awareness. Ask yourself if you had all the time and money in the world and you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you be doing? Questions like that will help to open your mind up to what’s possible,” wrote forbes.com. The lack mindset hinders growth, goals, and even raises in pay.  The abundance mindset says there is more than enough to go around.

Here’s an idea. Consider the results you have at your business or home. Are there any areas of lack? If so, ask yourself, “are my thoughts based on scarcity, lack or fear?” If the answer is yes then simply ask yourself, “What can I do to shift my thoughts to abundance?” Like the two salespeople, you can choose how you view challenges. You can even choose the outcome. You can sell lots of shoes or you can give up and not sell a single pair – the choice, and the mindset is yours.