Does Your Smile Reflect an Abundance Mindset?

People have asked me since I was a young boy, “Why do you smile so much?”

 

At one time, I would answer, “I don’t know.” However, over the years I have come to know that my smile comes from a grateful heart.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15 ESV

When I look over my life, I don’t have any regrets.

Have I made mistakes? Yes. Have I ever had a time when I was very disappointed? Yes.

Somehow, I have always learned from my mistakes and overcame disappointments, and moved forward. My thinking usually goes to considering my next options.

As I thought about this, I realized that my perspective comes from principled decisions supported by an abundance mindset.

People with an abundance mindset believe that today’s short-term pain, sacrifice, and investment in time, energy, and money, will eventually bring long-term growth, blessings and success.

Every person can make more principled decisions by understanding the differences between abundance and scarcity mindsets.

Abundance Mindset

People with an abundance mindset view their resources as a farmer views sowing seeds. A successful farmer liberally sows seeds, trying to ensure a good fall harvest. He believes in the principle of sowing and reaping. The more he sows, the more he reaps.

You can’t harvest if you haven’t planted.

Successful leaders and people with an abundance mindset see their resources as sufficient (plentiful) seeds to be sown. They know the harvest will come and more will be created.

Scarcity Mindset

Some leaders and people find it hard to invest resources because they feel so deficient (with a scarcity mindset). They always feel (in an expedient way) that their commodities are about to run out.

Consequently, people with a scarcity mindset tend to be protective of what they have and what they know. Their mindset encourages them to be selfish with their time, talent and money.

A Contrast in Mindsets

Consider the differences between scarcity and abundance mindsets:

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Two Questions

Best-selling author, John Maxwell, talks about the gap between two significant questions:

• Can I? – A question by those who have a scarcity

• How can I? – A question by those who have an abundance

Which question do you most often ask?

A Resource for You

Would you like to have a simple reminder of the important concept of the abundance mindset vs. the scarcity mindset?

If you’re like me, you could benefit from a visual reminder of this important principle.   I have created a printable page that highlights the differences in scarcity and abundance mindsets.

Click <here> to download my Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset printable.

The more we understand the differences between an abundance mindset and a scarcity mindset, the more likely we’ll make principled decisions from a place of abundance!

Do you smile when you meet people? Do you ask, “Can I” or “How can I”? Please share your comments <here> and share this blog post with a friend or co-worker.