Shift your focus from Lack to Abundance!!!

The term “abundance mindset” was coined by author Stephen Covey in his best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey defines an abundance mindset as the belief that there are enough resources and time to achieve your goals. This is in contrast to the scarcity mindset, which is rooted in the belief that there’s never enough — whether it’s money, opportunities, time, or resources. The scarcity mindset can lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, and a constant sense of lack. It’s a lens through which we view the world as competitive and threatening. This mindset can manifest in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors.

People with a scarcity mindset focus on what they don’t have, often comparing themselves to others and feeling envious or inadequate. On the other hand, people with an abundance mindset concentrate on their strengths, talents, and skills and approach life with a sense of gratitude, possibility, and openness. An abundance mindset allows individuals to see opportunities, even in challenging situations, and to be optimistic about the future.

I grew up with a lack of confidence and some degree of an inferiority complex. Although I was a bright student and the teacher’s favorite, I was self-conscious about my looks. I was chubby and not very friendly and social. Despite being proud of my knowledge and grades, I always felt something was missing. As a young person, I struggled to understand myself and often worried about trivial things instead of focusing on what I had. I didn’t have a close friend to whom I could discuss my insecurities and doubts and clarify my theories. At that time, I lacked maturity and didn’t realize that nothing was lacking in me. Instead, I always had a negative outlook on life and often saw the glass half-empty. Whenever I saw my other friends hanging out with their buddies, I felt jealous and upset.

I wished I had a best friend and longed to be a part of a group of friends. However, managing relationships was always tricky for me, and it still is today. Despite being a top performer in school, I struggled with self-doubt. This self-doubt continued through college and into my first job as a Sales Executive. As a salesperson, I often compared myself to others and felt inadequate in my communication skills. Despite thinking about improvement, I always thought I needed more talent to succeed in this field and ultimately quit my job. I was overly critical of myself, focusing only on my shortcomings rather than my strengths.

In today’s world, scarcity and lack are often emphasized, causing us to develop a mindset that we are always missing something. Whether we desire more money, better relationships, or personal achievements, focusing on what we lack can lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. This attitude extends not just towards ourselves, but also towards others. We tend to quickly notice and point out shortcomings in others. Even if a person has many excellent qualities, we may be the first to focus on the one thing they lack and emphasize its importance. Unfortunately, we seem to take pleasure in highlighting weaknesses in others, and we treat ourselves the same way. While some people prioritize their strengths, they are in the minority. This is the most significant difference between those who achieve success and those who only dream of it but never quite get there. Focusing on what we lack or don’t possess can harm our confidence and overall well-being. Repeatedly thinking, “I don’t have this,” or “I lack that,” can impede our progress toward achieving our goals.

How do we shift from focus from lack to Abundance?

From my practical experience, these four things have helped me build my confidence and focus on the Abundance , be contended and successful.

1. Focusing on your strengths is a powerful strategy that can shift your mindset towards Abundance and positivity. When you concentrate on what you are good at, you build confidence in your abilities and talents. When I was young, I had many inhibitions in my mind, as I explained earlier. However, one thing that kept me going and that I was very proud of was my intelligence. I was a topper and studious. I believed in myself and was sure that studies, hard work and grades would take me far and looks were secondary. Whenever I felt low, I counted my good qualities and focused on my strengths. That gave me confidence and allowed me to approach challenges and weaknesses positively. Emphasizing your strengths helps to cultivate a positive self-image and enables you to appreciate what you have. Knowing your strengths enables you to adapt to changing circumstances and navigate setbacks more effectively. You can leverage your strengths to find creative solutions, learn from failures, and bounce back from adversity.
2. Sense of Purpose: Understanding your strengths can provide a sense of purpose and direction. You can align your goals and aspirations with your strengths, pursuing activities and opportunities that resonate with your core values and abilities. Many of us are struggling to find our “why.” It will be a mutual win and benefit if we know what we are good at and align that with solving world problems.
3. Gratitude and Abundance Mindset: Fostering an abundance mindset through gratitude and focusing on our strengths is essential. Gratitude is an integral part of our lives, and we must thank others for their kindness and the goodness within ourselves. We are born with many great qualities, and it’s crucial to recognize and appreciate them. Rather than feeling scarcity or comparing ourselves to others, we should acknowledge the Abundance of talents, skills, and opportunities available to us.
4. Continuous Learning — Learn, unlearn, Relearn. Invest in constant learning and skill development related to your strengths. Seek out opportunities to refine and expand your abilities. In today’s rapidly changing world, learning, unlearning, and relearning have become essential for personal and professional growth. This continuous learning and adaptation process allows individuals to stay relevant, embrace new challenges, and thrive in dynamic environments. Learning is the foundation of growth and development. It involves acquiring new knowledge, skills, perspectives, and experiences. Whether mastering a new technology, exploring a different culture, or gaining expertise in a particular field, learning expands our horizons and opens doors to endless possibilities. We should adopt a continuous learning mindset and seek formal education, workshops, online courses, mentorship, and self-directed learning to expand our knowledge and skills continuously.