7 Steps to Developing an Abundance Mindset

Lately I've been noticing how many people don't seem to be enjoying their lives. They focus almost exclusively on the negative and on what they don't have. Often they develop a mindset of scarcity as a coping mechanism. But this just makes things worse.

Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset

People with a scarcity mindset believe that helping others is a bad thing because the more other people have, the less there is for you. So they hold on to things — possessions, money, emotions — with tight, clutched fists.

As Stephen Covey wrote: "Most people are deeply scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everyone else."

The Abundance Mindset, by contrast, flows out of a firm inner sense of personal security and worth. This mindset believes that there is plenty for all of us — unlimited possibilities and options!

7 Steps to Develop an Abundance Mindset

1. Focus on what you have – not on what you don't
2. Cultivate and develop an attitude of gratitude
3. Spread the good things around – get into the habit of sharing and giving things away
4. Express appreciation for others – regularly
5. Learn to create win-win situations
6. Watch your words – learn to stress the positive
7. Focus on what is going right – and do more of that

If this feels awkward to you at first, don't sweat it. It gets easier and more natural over time. Remember, the mindset you have is up to you – and can be changed. You can create an Abundance Mindset for yourself and totally change your life – for the better!