Wondering what an abundance mindset is? Today we're sharing what it is and why you need to adopt an abundant mindset ASAP! This is a game changer in building the life of your dreams!!
Guest post // Before we jump into Amina's AMAZING post I want to press how much I LOVE this topic and think it's a must read. When I saw this pop into my inbox, I immediately responded with a “hell yeah!” I've hinted about the bumpy road of my past, but don't get into it very often. Those who have heard my life story know it's been a challenging road to say the least. Some of the most common questions I get after a speaking engagement is, “How do you stay grounded? How do you keep going? How did you turn it around?”
While there are a lot of answers and factors that have helped me through my recovery process, an abundance mindset has been key. Since turning twenty years old, I have believed there is enough in the Universe to provide me with what I need. Whether that's love, money, landing a job or client, the dream home, whatever. Everything has always come back to flexing my mindset muscles.
This post is a great jumping off point for those who are looking to move from victim to owner of their lives. From scarcity to abundance. The final heading is a real kick in the ass, so make sure you make it ALL the way through! Because there really is enough for each and everyone of us
Okay, I pass the mic to Amina Taylor!
My relationship with abundance hasn't always been steady. In fact, I've been prone to pity parties, plenty of “why me's” and tantrums that would put my three year old niece to shame. With social media making perfectly polished lifestyles more visible than ever, it's easy to catch the “less-than” bug. But, it isn't the only option.
In six months time, I was able to ditch my scarcity beliefs, adopt a killer abundant mindset and consequently leave my full time job and start the business I'd always dreamed of. I'm a 25 year old recovering job hopper (seven jobs in three years).
Historically, I'm more of your practical, Type-A perfectionist. I wasn't always into terms like “abundance” and “scarcity”. I found them to be “woo-woo” new age-y phrases with little substance. However, the incredible changes in my life that resulted from abundant thinking are undeniable.
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What Is An Abundant Mindset?
An abundant mindset is the belief that we live in a world where everything we could ever want or need is readily available to us at any given time. Okay, I know it sounds super cheesy. But I promise you, this stuff works. Plus, it's totally free so definitely worth a try, right?!
Wait, so you're saying anything I want is just readily available to me at any time? That can't be right… girl, talk to my bank account!
Yes! Well kind of. Like I said, an abundant mindset is the belief that everything you want is readily available to you at any given time.
You see, our thoughts are crazy powerful tools. In fact, our thoughts, in most cases, massively influence our actions. Everything from how we interact with our loved ones, pursue our career goals, even how we get dressed in the morning.
For example, let's say you read a post about an opening for your dream job. Instantly you think, “Ugh, they want one more year of experience than I have and so many people will probably apply. I never have luck with these things.” So you don't apply.
Or maybe the business coach you've been dying to work with is finally relaunching her one-on-one program and you think to yourself, “Oh my goodness, it's fate! But how am I going to find the money for it? I'm going to have to give up all of the social events I planned for this summer just to pay the deposit. All that stress for a month of lonely ramen & wine nights in front of my TV? Hell to the no.” So you don't reserve your spot.
We stay unfulfilled in our jobs. We're held hostage by our financial situations.Click To TweetHow would those situations play out with an abundance mindset?
You see an opening for your dream job. You think “Oh my goodness! I bet a lot of people are applying but, I was made for this! No way I'm turning down an opportunity to finally take hold of the life I love! Besides, what's a few hours of my time to fill out the application to change my freaking life? Heck to the yes!”
OR
The coach you've been dying to work with is finally relaunching her signature one-on-one program. You think, “Eesh! That's way more expensive than I thought it'd be! But hey, I bet I could get the extra money for it if I call back the marketing contact my mom put me in touch with a while ago. It'll be a couple of crazy months, biting my tongue in a job I'm not thrilled about, but it's so worth it to work with the person I know is going to help me get where I want to go!”
When we approach any situation from a place of scarcity, we reinforce the belief that there's simply not enough to go around. That shit is scary…especially when it comes to the stuff we really, really want! It kicks us out of the game for good. No beuno.
When we approach life from an abundance mindset, we get over our fear of failure and increase the odds of success significantly.
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Okay, I'm sold! How do I get an abundant mindset though?
Alright, now that you know what an abundance mindset is, we've got to clear the path. That means we've got to get rid of some of the scarcity mindsets that could talk you out of really owning it like the abundant powerhouse you are.
Ditch the “if only's”
We've all been there. If only…
… I had “X” I'd be successful…
… My love life just looked like “Y” I'd be happy…
… I could lose “Z” amount of pounds, I'd finally get those professional head shots my LinkedIn profile desperately needs.
It's natural to want. But can I level with you? Rarely does this deep desire for the things we don't have, pay off. These statements keep us focused on the future rather than staying centered and abundant in our present. So every time you feel an “if only” coming on, try practicing gratitude for your present moment: the very people, places and experiences you have directly in front of you.
For instance, if you find yourself throwing out “if only” statements when it comes to love, as in “if only” I could find a boyfriend then I wouldn't have to take all of these amazing trips alone. Focus on how taking these trips alone will actually prepare you to meet and identify the kind of person you actually do want to spend the rest of your life with. Maybe there's a reason you need to take these trips alone. Maybe you'll meet him/her along the way!
Put away your measuring stick.
This is one I struggled with for years. Everything in my life was about measuring. If I pay for “X” then it's going to have to come out of the budget for “Y.” If I eat the donut then I'm going to have to abstain from sweets for the next week and a half. If I take this hectic but amazing job, I'll have to give up Thursday trivia nights with my friends. It was a constant balancing act and it consistently reinforced the belief that by gaining one thing, I'd be losing another. A.k.a scarcity!
One of the best cures for this bad habit is putting away the measuring stick and embracing the beauty of AND. For instance, if I pay for “X” AND still want “Y” I'll just have to earn $400 more dollars this month.
OR
If I eat the donut tonight AND sweets for the rest of the week, I'll probably just have to pay extra attention to how my body feels. If it doesn't feel great, then I'll stop.
No drama, no fear and total abundance!
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Opt out of the comparison game
I know, social media makes it so dang hard! I mean how are you supposed to focus on the beauty of your own life when that blogger with perfect lighting, perfect white walls, designer couches and her DSLR make “the dream” look so stupidly simple?
Jealousy is one of the fastest ways to kill your abundance buzz. It makes us feel less than, less worthy and whole heck of a lot less hopeful that things are going to turn up for us. But in the long run, it's utterly useless.
As natural as it may feel in the moment to sulk over why someone else's success isn't your own, continuing to focus your energy on the scarcity in your life — what she/he has that you don't — will only increase the doom and gloom.
So instead of resorting to social media stalking or resentment, tell your ego to cut the crap. Find her contact information and go introduce yourself! Ask her how she got to where she is now, what kind of product keeps her hair looking so fresh or how in the world she takes those beautiful flat lays.
Not only will you be able to offload all the negative energy that comes with jealousy, but you'll probably find that she's not a super hero with magical powers. She's a regular human who just happens to be a couple of steps ahead of you. Best of all, abundantly speaking, if a regular human like her can do it…so can you!
There's plenty success to go around.Click To TweetSo there you have it! Life's too short to waylay your dreams for the sake of scarcity. Go out and brave those big goals with a newly paved path for your abundance mindset to take shape. Because on a purely selfish note, I want to reap all the benefits of a world filled to the brim with your incredible talents!
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RELATED READING:
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6 Ways To Practice Self Care During Chaotic Times Of The Year
The Confused Millennial's Wellness Trends To Try In 2018
How To Redefine Success In Terms Of What Makes You Happen
Looking for more abundance? Grab TCM's Manifestation Workbook:
Originally published 7/20/18
What a great post Amina! I love how you said to ditch the “if only” statements because it really is a total trap to always think that way!
I’m so happy it resonated with you, Alissa! It’s incredible how much language truly does impact the way we see and consequentially experience the world. I’m not perfect, but paying attention to some key phrases in my own life have definitely shifted things big time for me, I hope this article helps you do the same!
Wow, this is the kind of mindset Robert Kiyosaki talks about in his: Rich Dad Poor dad book! We always think “I can’t afford it” instead of “how can I afford this?”. Like he says affirmations close doors while questions open them !
Thank you so much for this post, great work!
So glad you enjoyed it! I love that perspective on asking questions. It’s so true! The world becomes an infinite place of possibility when we continue to ask “why not?” rather than accepting a definitive closed door.
YES! Love that book too!! There is ALWAYS a way – its all about perspective first! I don’t know if you’ve read anything by Dave Ramsey, but he also talks about a similar concept of paying yourself first, before big box corporations – it makes it easier to figure out how you can afford things or attract them into your life!
I love this notion of manifestation. It is so true we really create our own reality through our projections. I love this abundance mindset.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the read! Happy manifesting!
Such a unique mindset!! I love the positivity in this post. 🙂 Stopping the comparison game is hard, but always worth it I think.
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Glad you enjoyed the read!
I LOVE this!!! What a great read! Nixing the “if only” mindset is huge – It’s something I’m guilty of way too much! I have to share this with some of my friends!
So glad you found it helpful, Adriana!
What a great post!
“Jealousy is one of the fastest ways to kill your abundance buzz. It makes us feel less than, less worthy and whole heck of a lot less hopeful that things are going to turn up for us. But in the long run, it’s utterly useless.” – YAS YAS YAS! All the yesssssss to this statement! And it is SO hard to not compared and wish we had others lives/things/success/etc.
Thank you! And yes, I always tell people, I write for others but I also write for myself! I struggle with comparison on the daily but forcing myself to ask questions, introduce myself and make myself part of the larger story in the movements I admire has paid off far more than sitting on the sidelines wondering why I haven’t been invited to the party 🙂
THIS IS SO GOOD. I’ve read about abundance mindsets before and had classwork on it back in the day, and it’s really so POWERFUL (+ cool) what we can do all about in our heads with some perspective shifts. Fabulous post, Amina!
Coming Up Roses
Thank you! And yes, I’m a reformed “hustler”. I used to to think if I wasn’t struggling then I wasn’t working hard enough. Adopting this mindset has shown me how creating a bit of space with our thinking BEFORE acting can actually help me go farther than I ever expected!
It really is all about putting your first step forward.. just keep slowly moving one in front of the other. I love how your post is so positive and uplifting. And… it is true!!! You can have almost anything you want. But, staying still won’t help the process.
Yes! So true, I’ve come to find that the only way we truly lose is by not taking action. A step forward is a step forward, no matter how big or small!
Wow – I loved reading this!! Everything you wrote is so , so true. I’m a a huge mindset and abundance kick right now with my content..so this is great!
So happy you found it helpful, Cayla!
At the risk of being a wet blanket, here’s my honest thoughts…this is the old Law of Attraction merely rebranded with new words abundance/scarcity. (There truly is nothing new under the sun.) And here’s my problems it: 1) If being materially successful was as easy as projecting positive thoughts, everyone would be rich. Like Lotto fever, it appeals to our hope and greed. 2) The emphasis is on obtaining wealth. But there’s a litany of life issues money can’t solve and no amount of positive thoughts can conjure. Ask any parent who’s put their kid through rehab more than 3 times or heard the word “inoperable”. 3) Philosophically, if followed to its logical conclusion, the power of positive thinking or abundance or whatever your call it, runs up against itself and becomes null. 4) I’ve lived long enough to see this law of attraction schtick revive, die, revive, die, revive…and I’m just bold enough to say this emperor has no clothes. ?
Not a wet blanket at all! I think the best way to tease out many of these concepts is by having an open and honest conversation about them. I am certainly influenced by The Law of Attraction you are absolutely right. And as someone who has struggled with addictive behavior, anxiety and depression in my own life as well as lived through difficult diagnoses with family members, I think the most redeeming lesson I’ve learned is how powerful mindset is. I do talk about wealth in this article, but I’ve also used abundance thinking personally in terms of relationships (there is always enough love to go around) and personal growth (there is always room to heal, grow and restore). For me, it’s been less about manifesting the exact life that I want, in a material sense, and more about understanding the type of person I’d like to be: resilient, courageous, free etc. I second Rachel’s response, we don’t always have control over our circumstances but we do have control over how we respond. But I’m right there with ya, not all of those circumstances are uplifting rays of sunshine with easy solutions. Sometimes they are damn hard. My perspective and hope is that if I flex my abundance muscles on the small stuff like money, trips and my career that when the big stuff comes around (which it inevitably will), I’ll be able to find relief and comfort far more easily. In other words, I’m still learning, myself. I certainly appreciate you offering more food for thought for a larger discussion.
Amina, I’ll tell you what I do respect – a woman who listens to an opposing perspective, owns what she can, and responds with thoughtfulness and respect. You aced it! ?
Alexandra, thank you so much for your kind words and for speaking your truth!
This post is so good! My biz coach and I have been working towards me having a better mindset on things like this. 🙂
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! It’s still a daily process for me as well but have loved what I’ve experienced so far.
Oh man, I was so excited to read this post! My husband and I have been wanting to save for some big goals and I think shifting my mindset will help us accomplish those things faster.
Glad this resonated with you! Good luck on those big goals. Sending all the good vibes your way!
omg. it’s like you’re in my brain. I need to read this Rich Dad Poor Dad book…
I’m in a season of life where I’m going through a major change (just had a baby and we’re moving in 2 weeks).. i’m also in a rather difficult lifestyle (military wife) and I put the blame on military living for the reason of a lot of things. I need to did the if only statements and switch my perspective! loved this. needed this. <3
Justine, so happy this found you at the right time! I’d also recommend any of Jen Sincero’s books : You Are a Badass or You Are a Badass at Making Money! She’s been one of my favorite kicks in the butt for getting my abundance mindset on track 🙂
Absolutely love this. When you adopt an abundance mindset, it’s hard NOT to be happier…. and I love the example of taking up an opportunity for the short term to get to your long term goal… Short term sacrifice, long term gain.
Yes, so true! All in all, I love how this mindset empowers us to be far more resilient in seeking solutions rather than dwelling on our obstacles, hard not to be happy when we know there’s always an opportunity for growth!
This is so well written and so darn true. Your mind is capable of crazy things and having positive affirmations is such an important part of getting into the abundance mindset. Removing comparison is also so important as well. LOVE all these tips you have here and thank you so much for sharing!
Kiara, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Sending all the positively abundant vibes your way!
I LOVE THIS!!!! This mindset goes hand in hand with ‘power posing,’ another #girlboss tactic that seems crazy but WORKS! It truly is all in one’s mind. What we set out to accomplish we CAN!
I LOVE power posing! I always feel like such a goof when I do it in front of the mirror to pump myself up before a speaking engagement or big presentation but I can’t knock it if it works!
Soo much in this life is based on how we direct our thoughts, which become our outlook. Love this post!
Thank you so much, I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Wow! Powerful stuff here. It made me realize how often I use the “if only” statements. Such a great reminder, especially since I do have big goals. If I don’t get my mindset right, how will I achieve them? Thanks so much!
Yes! You are so abundant and deserving of the life you want. We all are! Wishing you all the best, Carly!
This is an excellent post! I have read a few books on an abundance mindset but sometimes I think books over complicate the concept. I love how this post keeps it simple and to the point. So tangible! I will definitely be using these tips in my everyday life. God knows I’ve been in a bit of a rut.
Amanda, so glad this was helpful! I’ve felt the same overwhelm with many self help books…wonderful concepts but how do I actually apply them?! Hope this helps you take a bit more action and leave that rut behind. Rooting for you!
This advice is so incredible and makes me want to change my mindset. The examples she gave were spot on with my way of thinking. I basically talk myself out of going for things that I want.
Tiffany, you are abundant and powerful! I believe in you and am sending all the positive vibes your way!