Sometimes all it takes are a few words to change the way you think. Whenever I’m lacking motivation or inspiration, I refer to my pinned photos on Pinterest. The other day, I was scrolling through the app, trying to find some encouraging quotes and photos. While looking through a plethora of different quotes, they all started to blur together — until I saw one design that stated, “Abundance is a mindset.” My eyes focused on this quote, read it over and over and then I hit the save button.
It’s been over a week since I first saw this quote, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. The words are so simple, but it has opened my eyes to a different way of thinking about the events or situations in which I find myself.
However, just reading the quote wasn’t enough for me. I instantly wanted to know more about the psychology behind the quote and ways that I could implement this mindset in my life.
I found an article by Chopra that helped answer a lot of my questions surrounding this quote. Research on mindset shows the way you think about yourself and the world around you has a large effect on how you learn, handle stress, create success and even sustain your physical health. So, an abundance mindset is largely beneficial to your health and wellbeing. But where did this term come from and what does it truly mean?
Stephen Covey created the term “abundance mindset” in 1989 with his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey defines the term as, “a concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and successes to share with others.” I think the word “believes” is one of the most important distinctions in this definition. Although sometimes you can’t physically see the resources in front of you or the support you have from others because of your clouded head or vision, it is important to believe that they are there. The way you believe has a substantially large effect on your way of thinking, which then leads to your success and ability to help others.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Covey contrasts the abundance mindset with the “scarcity mindset.” He defines this as “the thought that if someone else wins or is successful in a situation, that means you lose.” I’m not certain how common this worldview is, but it can be very damaging to your overall mental health and attitude. I have felt this way multiple times in different scenarios. Seeing someone else succeed or accomplish something that I’ve been working toward would drastically affect how I thought about myself and my triumphs. I would feel disappointed or upset with myself, while I should be congratulating this person for their achievement.
The most important takeaway regarding the negativity of this mindset is the success of someone else does not equal your failure. Instead of focusing on a scarcity mindset, it’s important to focus on an abundance mindset. According to an article by Inc., a scarcity mindset can lead to a “life that is not fully lived,” instead of one where you take advantage of the opportunities and experiences you are given. Living with an abundance mindset can allow you to live a satisfying life, give and receive affection, be creative and inspired, create meaningful experiences and so much more. But how do we create an abundance mindset in our lives?
Daily affirmations
According to The Guided Meditation Site, the simplest way to begin writing affirmations is to begin each statement with “I am.” Instead of writing down things like, “I will become a more creative person,” write “I am a creative person.” In this example, the mindset of believing that you already are creative helps you affirm the feeling of already having what you desire.
Make a gratitude list
One way to create an abundance mindset is to notice all of the positive things in your life. Notice these blessings in your life and be grateful for them. Many people like to write down a short list of things they are grateful for each day. It could be one thing, or even five, but this helps you to focus on the positive aspects of your life and not slip into a scarcity mindset.
Notice the way your thoughts influence how you talk to yourself
Negative self-talk is something that a lot of people struggle with. It can be very hard to persevere through a tough situation when the voice inside your head is speaking negatively. Take the time to pay attention to how you talk to yourself and others and make it a habit to change this if it’s subconsciously hurting you. Remember the thoughts in your mind are not facts and recognize you can change the way you think.
Overall, “abundance is a mindset” is a very powerful quote that has positively affected the way I believe, think and act. Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts or feeling sorry for myself, I am now trying to seek out the good, be grateful and believe in myself and my future. Whenever I think positively, I have a better day. Whenever I focus on what I’m grateful for, I feel blessed. Noticing these things in your everyday life can have a substantial effect on the way you live, think and act.