Our mindset is as big of a factor in our business success as anything else that we are doing to grow our companies. Every successful person will agree.

Unfortunately, some of us have what I call a “scarcity mentality.” This is an underlying belief system that is undermining our success.

By starting to examine our thought patterns about success and financial freedom, we can begin to shift them into a more abundant mindset.

Here are some examples of scarcity beliefs:

• I am scared of not having enough business or income.
• I think people might take advantage of me.
• I can’t charge very much because I won’t get business.
• I don’t have enough customers.
• Marketing my business too much is “bad” or “pushy.”
• I have to struggle because I work for myself.
• There isn’t enough business to go around for my competitors and me.
• Money doesn’t grow on trees (meaning it’s hard to come by).
• I have to work really, really hard to be successful.
• I’ll never be successful in growing my business.

Do any of these statements sound familiar?

Every time we have a thought like the ones above, there is a feeling that goes with it that affects our brain, body, and actions. The feeling might be depression, fear, stress, or anxiety. These feelings that go with the thought can bring up even more thoughts, which in turn lead to more feelings until we feel hopeless and overwhelmed.

It is a downward spiral that is based on fear - not reality. And yet, it is so easy for many of us to work ourselves into this negative thought frenzy.

When we are in a constricted, oppressed state like this, it works against our creative, expansive, attractive energy that allows business and money to flow effortlessly. Every time we have thoughts of scarcity, we stop attracting the very things we want - success, ease, and joy in business and life.

When we are mired in a scarcity mentality, we cannot see opportunities and we radiate an energy of despair that our prospects can sense. People are attracted to success and they are repelled by scarcity. Our belief system makes itself apparent in the things we say, the choices we make, and the way we interact with people.

Our mindset is deeply rooted by familial conditioning. We learn these thought patterns from our parents, grandparents, peers, and other family members. It’s passed down from one generation to the next.

Think about conversations you remember hearing about money while you were growing up. Think about the beliefs you have now. Do you remember the very same thoughts in your head being said by your parents or other family members when you were young?

The good news is we have the power to change our habits, thought patterns, and actions. We can shift our scarcity mentality to one of ongoing abundance.

A successful and thriving company leader lives by the following statements:

“I am a remarkable leader of a powerful business.”

“I am in charge of my success.”

“I choose the customers I work with.”

“I deserve to get paid for my value.”

“I enjoy limitless opportunities flowing my way.”

Even a brand new business with a staff of one can begin to think this way…

One easy way to accelerate success and quickly move our thoughts and feelings into the abundance state is to acknowledge the customers, sales, and opportunities we are enjoying right now.

The more gratitude we express, the less room there is for scarcity thinking. It shifts our mindset into one of ongoing attraction.

Another powerful way to shift our mindset is to cultivate an attitude of abundant giving. There are many opportunities in our business to give things away to our prospects and clients. This can include no-cost teleseminars, articles, white papers, and reports.

This is very attractive to other people because it SHOWS people the value of our services. We leave people wanting more of us. It differentiates us from our competition and makes us more memorable.

We can get at the root of our mindset and money beliefs with a simple exercise.

Take out two pieces of paper. On the first, answer the following questions (don’t think too much, just write as many answers as you can to each question):

• What are the beliefs that I have about money and success?
• Which beliefs are sabotaging my business?
  
• How do these beliefs make me feel?
  
• How do scarcity beliefs show up in my business and life?
• How are these beliefs holding me back in my business and my life?

Now, take the second piece of paper and answer these questions (again, don’t think too hard about them - just write as many answers as you can):

• What are the beliefs I would like to have about money and success?
• How would I like to feel about my money and success?
• If I had my ideal business, I would be _______________ (list as many things as you can - it can be feelings, actions, and qualities. Don’t think, just write).

One you have completed the second sheet, put it away for a day or two. Then, take it back out and review everything you wrote down. Take everything that jumps out at you and turn it into a statement that starts out: “I am so happy I am ___________:” or “I am so grateful I am __________:” or simply “I am ____________.”

Review this new list every day. You can even write the statements on an index cards and carry it with you or post it near your computer.

Over time, we’ll find our thought patterns begin to shift. And as our thought patterns shift, our feelings and actions will follow. Our new mindset easily attracts most clients, success, and revenue.

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