Guest blog by Melanie Edgal, Faith and Business Breakthrough Coach
One weekend a couple of years ago my son brought home a list of words. Top of the list was the word abundant. It filled me with great inspiration, and it took me on a journey of starting to see things differently.
It helped me to recall scripture in the bible, Ephesians 4 Chapter 3 v 20: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
An abundance mindset is one which believes in the infinite possibilities in life. It helps you to be positive, creative and think outside of the box. But it all depends on your belief. Your belief is the “power that works” in you.
Abundance is the opposite to lack or scarcity. It is the feeling that you never have enough. It breeds a mindset and behaviours which dictate that you are in constant struggle in life, unable to catch a break. A feeling of fear that causes you to feel that there isn’t enough. People in your field are competitors and can steal your customers and your ideas.
The abundance and scarcity mindset concepts were coined by Stephen Covey in his popular best seller 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. So what are 3 keys to having an abundant mindset?
Key 1 : Believe in Abundance
To realise that anything is possible, we first have to believe it. To me ‘abundance’ is an endless bounty. It gives a warm, enjoyable feeling. There are plenty of opportunities, leads, clients, customers and associates out there for everyone. There is no need to gorge and make yourself unwell.
Abundance is the feeling of joy, confidence and satisfaction that you are equipped with in order to take a leap of faith. Believing in abundance requires time. Meditate on the meaning of abundance and let it resonate within you.
The Cambridge online dictionary defines abundance as, ‘the situation in which there is more than enough of something’. Abundance is unlimited, there is more than enough for everyone. Armed with this belief you know that there are infinite possibilities in what you decide to do.
You can think out of the box, you can be positive. You do not need to be scared of others in your field. There are enough clients and work for all of you. It gives you confidence to know that your approach, although different and unique, is valid.
Having an abundance mindset is necessary in the face of adversity. It is a mindset that you can carry with you daily but you can switch into it when you really need it.
Around the time my son came home with those words I really wanted to move forward in my business as a coach. I felt as if I was at the beginning of the journey about to take a major leap. At the time I felt I had just enough resources to work out of the home while my son was at school.
During this time I spent a lot of time outdoors, surrounded by greenery, water and an expanse of land in its natural state. I started to feel very much part of the bounty that was there for me. I made clear and quick decisions and was able to launch an online course with ease.
Once I started talking about abundance I noticed that people were talking about it around me.
Key 2: Be grateful
Being grateful for waking up each day to be able to fulfil your purpose is key to having an abundant mindset. Spending time to look around you and see the many blessings that you are surrounded with each day. This practice will help you to experience the abundance you have in life.
Even in a situation you perceive to be bad, you can find things to be grateful for. Simply being able to breathe, to have health, to love and to be loved and the many forms that takes – helps you to experience abundance.
It helps you to feel that there is something out there that is bigger than yourself. Reflecting and evaluating work and your own performance you can see what you are good at and what you are able to work on and importantly what you can give to someone else, is all part of this paradigm.
Key 3: Discover your purpose and walk in it
Living and working in your purpose helps you to set goals and find ways in which you can encourage and serve people in your career.
Knowing who you are and that you are deserving of love is attractive and attracts loved ones to you whether that be a life partner, good friends or business associates.
Adopting an abundance mindset when it comes to dating and relationships requires you to look at your situation differently. If you are single and seeking a mate it is useful to think that out of the many people in the world there is more than enough for you to make a choice from.
If you are happy to be on your own you can see abundance in enjoying your own company. Looking at what you can achieve in solitude. But also the adventures you can go on without anyone’s will or permission but your own.
If you are in a relationship, an abundance mindset helps you to not dwell on the negative and helps you reframe your thoughts from dwelling in negative criticism and dissatisfaction to appraising what you have at present and a reflection on what it has taken to get there. What are the positive things you want, things you want to take forward, what are the activities that will help you sustain a loving relationship.
An abundance mindset also helps you to work towards a vision. I was reading yesterday about the young woman who founded Canva. She has made a lot of money but has decided to give a lot of it back to helping the needy of this world.
An abundance mindset helps you sow into people’s lives and business consciously and helps you to be mindful of the plight of others. Having good people around you to offer support, understanding and a presence is also priceless.
As a coach nothing pleases me more than people who I have taught or coached reach and exceed their goals. This is what gives me a reason to live, it feeds me. In turn I have a group of supportive friends who do this for me.
In summary…
For me the 3 keys to an abundance mindset are to believe in abundance, to be grateful and to walk in your purpose. These three things can open the doors to not only your vision but many benefits that you have not seen.
About Melanie
Melanie helps people to break through the barriers and start their business. She believes that true change comes from within – coaching helps bring about the changes a person wants and provides accountability for their goals and desires. More about Melanie.
