Scarcity VS Abundance Mentality

“I believe in abundance, I desire abundance, I receive abundance.”
Shakti Gawain

Let’s revisit the three examples from the beginning of this article, to determine how behavior might change in these circumstances with an Abundance mentality.

One who believes that there is plenty for all would not waste energy competing with others. They would look for ways that they could enter Win/Win arrangements, and use synergy in their favour. One who has an abundance mentality knows only to eat until they are full, that their food supply is plentiful and that discarding unwanted food is healthier than stuffing it in and having it stick around for the next 5 years. Relationship conflicts can be kept to a minimum when one or even both parties seek Win/Win solutions. The next time you are in a conflict situation, ask the other person if they would agree to communicate about the issue until you have both reached an agreement that you can feel good about.

The Abundance vs. Scarcity Mentality model has been used in many different fields, from economics to management and personal development. Lately, however, I started to wonder if the Internet can be illustrated with it as well.

First of all we need a definition for the model, and I will borrow Stephen Covey’s words here:

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 everybody else.

The Scarcity Mentality is the zero-sum paradigm of life. People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit – even with those who help in the production. The also have a a very hard time being genuinely happy for the success of other people.

The Abundance Mentality, on the other hand, flow out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity.

Abundance Mentality	Scarcity Mentality
Victory means success that brings mutually beneficial results to all involved.	Victory means success at the expense of someone else.
Recognizes unlimited opportunities for positive growth and development.	Difficulty showing happiness for the success of others including family, friends and business associates.
Realizes that there are three ways to do things, my way, your way and a better way.	Difficulty sharing credit, recognition, power and profit.
Appreciates the uniqueness of others.	Difficulty being a team player because differences in opinion are perceived as disloyalty.

The written advice of Shakti Gawain, author of Creative Visualization, helps you get right into the mindset. She writes, “Imagine yourself as a successful, satisfied prosperous, fulfilled person. Really open your eyes to the goodness, beauty and abundance that are all around you. Imagine this world transformed into a healthy and prosperous environment in which everyone can flourish.”

The concept of an Abundance Mentality eliminates the need to criticize others, pass judgment, evaluate, analyze and label people, which create turbulence in our inner dialogue. This constricts the flow of positive energy, which is essential in achieving personal success.

Source: Penny Tremblay