Mindset is an important part of living abundantly as an entrepreneur. When your mindset is stuck, it’s very difficult for you to be open to receive. Often mompreneurs struggle with a ‘scarcity’ mindset. This gets in the way when they are faced with making money in their business. Here are some ways to shift out of a scarcity mindset that will help you step into abundance, let go and receive.
SCARCITY MINDSET: BELIEVE IN ABUNDANCE, LET GO AND RECEIVE
Entrepreneurs in startup often struggle to set their rates. It’s difficult to know what to charge, and when you’re starting out it’s harder to know what you’re worth. When you set prices, you’ll likely have an internal dialogue cycling around feeling bad or guilty for ‘charging too much’.
An easy way to overcome guilt connected with charging for services is to shift your thoughts to an abundance mindset.
Another word for mindset is perspective. For instance, if you grew up in a ‘Scarcity’ family system… you likely encountered the feeling that there was just is never enough may still carry forward into your business. When you have an overwhelming feeling of never enough, you program your mindset into this thought pattern and spend endless time searching.
Here’s how this played out for me.
I grew up with a scarcity mentality. While my mom taught me amazing lessons – she was born in 1929 after all, and as such lived her formative years through the Great Depression… on a farm, in the midwest, with seven siblings and a widowed mother… it was hard. There really wasn’t much ‘extra’ at all. And, some sadness and pain from those years still linger even 87 years later. And, her experience as a child, of course, colored many aspects of my childhood and influenced my thoughts and beliefs around a ‘never enough’ mindset.
After all, where do you think mindset patterns are born? That is why it’s important to seek perspective in everything we do.
I don’t like to judge the past. Instead, I try to use my past as navigational cues for myself to deepen my own awareness. I’ve learned so much about my own scarcity mindset as a business owner. I am thankful for the lessons from the past. They’ve provided me with perspective that’s truly helped me to shift to an abundance mindset. As a result, doing so has been a cornerstone and turning point in my own business’ success.
An abundance mindset fundamentally changes your thoughts
Shifting from scarcity to an abundance mindset is one of the most powerful steps toward becoming profitable in business. Be willing to stand in abundance helps you realize when there is not a good fit between you and a potential client. If there is not a fit, it’s really important to let those opportunities go to others whose products and services better meet their needs. After all, Abundance is a Universal Law.
Universal Laws are introduced in several texts. Whether you are familiar with the original text by Wallace Wattles‘ 1910 book The Science of Getting Rich, Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich“, or the more recent text “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, who read and synthesized several classic books and the words of modern-day teachers who spoke about ancient wisdom and the ways for people to attract what they desire into their lives, all talk about Universal Laws – and each identifies a Law of Abundance. In his book The Master Key System Charles F. Haanel talks about the Law of abundance:
Abundance depends upon a recognition of the laws of Abundance and the fact that Mind is not only the creator, but the only creator of all there is. Certainly, nothing can be created, before we know that it can be created and then make the proper effort.
There is no more electricity in the world today than there was fifty years ago, but until someone recognized the law by which it could be made of service, we received no benefit; now that the law is understood, practically the whole world is lit by it. So with the law of abundance; it is only those who recognize the law and place themselves in harmony with it, who share in its benefits.
Abundance mindset helps you charge what you’re worth for your time
Mindset is one of the most critical aspects to consider to overcome your hesitation to charge what you’re worth. When you shift your mindset to one of abundance – that the Universe is ever-expanding and more than abundant in every way. This means it is FULL of opportunity and filled with people who are destined and aligned to work with you. But, how do you do it?
Here are 8 simple ways to shift your scarcity mindset toward abundance:
1. Surround yourself with winners.
Never a truer statement made about being an entrepreneur! You are the company you keep. And your business success depends on others. So, find people who are positive, influential and encouraging, and drop the naysayers. A depressive, toxic mindset is way too powerful. If you can get away from people who pull you down, do it!
2. Set realistic goals.
Many entrepreneurs are ‘mooncalves’ to quote Shakespeare. Because creative’s naturally ‘beat their own drums’, it’s no coincidence that we are known for setting unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky goals. You’re more likely to achieve your own goals because when you focus on goal setting for yourself, you will set goals with deeper meaning. That also goes to show that when you successfully complete your goals, you can celebrate and rejoice. However, many times entrepreneurs make the mistake of avoiding this critical process for themselves. But without clear direction for your business and yourself, procrastination and bad habits can creep in all-too-easily. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, setting your own goals is a critical step in the right direction. To make it super simple, I offer an amazing 2-Day planning retreat: The Planapaloozah just for small business owners and entrepreneurs. This workshop can be attended from anywhere in the world, and you can rest assured that within the 2 days you’ll know more about your business, your goals and where you are going than you ever have in the past. Learn more about the affordable virtual business planning retreat via webinar – http://bit.ly/ppz2017
3. Visualize and make it real.
We think before we act. With that in mind, the process of visualization becomes a powerful force to be reckoned with. The minute you put an idea on paper (or your favorite mobile device), it graduates from dream to reality. Sketching it out, or writing it down will help you see not only the full scope of your idea but the steps necessary to make it a reality.
4. Recognize and reduce fear.
The saying “Be scared, but do it anyway‘ is a great place to start. Mompreneurs are often faced with new things to learn, obstacles to overcome, and unknown consequences. When you are able to recognize your fears – you can begin to take actions to name what is happening for yourself and then create ways to move forward anyway. Fear is a great way to STOP abundance from flowing, and fear is the partner to scarcity. When you find yourself in that space… name it: ‘I’m feeling fear about…’ and then talk it through. A great way to help you recognize and reduce fear is via Tapping. The Emotional Freedom Technique has been recently popularized and is a proven way to let go of fear.
5. Take risks and embrace the obstacles.
When you are an entrepreneur anything can happen at any moment, so why play it safe? You need to let go, lighten up and take risks, but always consider the payoff them wisely. In business, developing your ability to assess situations and people will work to your advantage. Maintaining a positive, abundance mindset will spare you hundreds of hours lost to struggle.
When facing an obstacle, instead of judging yourself, try approaching it with curiosity. Curiosity builds awareness and helps you avoid burnout. Instead of criticizing yourself, drop back and ask: What’s happening here? Curiosity will help you articulate and execute your business objectives.
Additionally, curiosity is an asset to bring out the best in others. Curiosity will help you recognize which team member is best-suited to the task at hand. It can also help you resolve customer grievances and creatively handle the transaction. Curiosity will help you achieve your business goals, make positive changes, reduce costs and increase process efficiency.
6. Step forward with courage and faith in yourself.
When you enter a business venture with a negative mindset, you decrease your chances for success. Embrace the reality of the quote by Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t—you’re right.” With confidence and courage, anything is possible. With faith, you’ll find the resilience and inner strength to overcome your toughest challenges. Although it would be nice if success in business came easy, often it doesn’t. Challenges will show up (almost daily) and when they do it can be hard to hold on to an abundance mindset. Instead of working against yourself and quitting, know that every challenge won creates a wiser and more confident you.
You’ve heard the expression, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” The reason this quote is popular is because we all understand that some of our greatest accomplishments were born from courageous moments. Whether you succeed or fail, have faith. When you stand in need of courage, your future self awaits you on the other side of what must be done. When you try something new you’ll have an adventure and you will certainly grow.
7. Develop a habit of gratitude.
Gratitude is the quickest way of creating positive feelings. When you step into owning a business, it can be very difficult to step up the ladder of success. This is why gratitude should be a daily practice. Make gratitude a habit. Don’t make it harder by allowing yourself to get into negative thinking. This is a surefire chute backward and down the vortex of feeling scarce again.
Many entrepreneurs fail to look back and celebrate. It’s just not natural to look back. But a gratitude habit will help you set intentions and take time to focus on gratefulness. However, it’s essential to do this regularly to see how much progress you’ve made. Instead, we become hyper-aware of our failures.
To break out of that rut, practice an attitude of gratitude. Showing appreciation for every little thing. meditating, and being thankful for all the good things in your life, leads to more positive feelings. The best approach is to develop gratitude rituals and habits that will serve you, your business and your clients for years to come.
8. Let go and make room to receive.
Have you ever tried to pick something up when your hand is already full? If not, try it now.
What happens?
What you’ll see is that when you hold onto things, you’re unable to open your hands to receive. The same goes true for your mindset.
Shifting to an abundance mindset requires you to let go of your scarcity perspective to make room for abundance to come flowing in. When you begin to operate from a place of abundance in your business, you’ll soon see results. For example, when you let go of clients who are not a match for your highest work, it will allow you to open your hands to receive better, more suitable clients who more closely resonate with your message.
Therefore, a big part of receiving and feeling more abundant is letting go. And, it’s very important to let those unwilling, or unprepared to pay for your services go to make room for other new opportunities. You’re not doing anything wrong… you’re taking steps in the right direction toward more prosperity when you clarify your ideal client and craft your services and offers around their direct needs.
Conclusion
No more effort is required to aim high in life, to demand abundance and prosperity, than is required to accept misery and poverty – Napoleon Hill in Think & Grow Rich
If you want help shifting to an abundance mindset, consider working with a coach. I work with entrepreneurs to reclaim their time and sanity in business and in life. We work with mindset to build a strong business foundation that supports a life you love! Contact me for your complimentary call to learn more.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.