Three Mindsets to Flip for a Happier Workday: #2 -- Scarcity to Abundance
No one starts their workday expecting the worst or planning to have a terrible day, but fear, doubt, imposter syndrome, and anxiety have a way of creeping in without our permission. The good news is -- a shift in mindset may be all it takes to turn the day around.
This is Part #2 of a three-part series of blogs giving you three mindsets and frames of mind to flip so you can enjoy a happier workday, despite what's happening all around you!
Mindset Flip #2: Scarcity to Abundance
Maybe you were passed over for the promotion or you weren’t invited to the new taskforce you were hoping to join. Maybe someone else got a juicy project or client you had been hoping to have.
Ouch. Being passed over is never fun or rejected is never fun. But when that opportunity feels like the only opportunity that will ever come so you cling to it desperately and beat yourself up when it doesn’t come your way, this is a scarcity mindset.
“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.”
– Stephen Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
A scarcity gives us limiting beliefs like:
- “I’m not smart enough.”
- “I don’t have enough money.”
- “I can’t handle this.”
- “Things will never change.”
Flip that scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset.
When you do this mindset flip, it’s not as if anything magically changes in our circumstances, but all of a sudden so much more feels possible.
An abundance mindset turns limiting beliefs into:
- “My intelligence had nothing to do with that decision.”
- “My salary is more than enough.”
- “I have made it through tougher situations. I can do this!”
- “A new opportunity will come along soon.”
A scarcity mindset is like tunnel vision leading us to destructive habits like overindulgence, overeating, overspending, and instant gratification as well as building rifts between us and co-workers, friends, and family while we wallow in insecurity, jealousy, and fear.
Abundance mindset leads to generosity, resilience, and graciousness. As the saying goes: A rising tide lifts all boats. Stepping aside for someone else to shine leaves you free for other opportunities. And when you have a positive, optimistic, and abundant mentality -- those opportunities are much more likely to come your way!
