Scarcity thinking’s like rust. It eats away at dreams and possibilities.
It consumes gratitude and joy, erodes the mind, body, and spirit, and imprisons us in deprivation and lack.
Over time, any relief or freedom from scarcity is sabotaged by an array of limiting beliefs and mindsets that disturb how we experience and perceive life, our relationships, everything, even ourselves.
We often aren’t aware that our life is run by scarcity thinking.
Because we’ve grown up in an environment run by lack, where nothing or no one is ever enough, worth is questionable, and failure is expected, it feels normal to play small, hide, and avoid.
We set low expectations, talk ourselves out of reaching higher, and often settle for mediocre relationships, jobs, and existences.
When we internalize, “I’m not _________ enough” “I’m not worthy,” or “I’ll never get it right,” we set the bar low and either avoid commitment or approach commitment tentatively and loosely, as if waiting for and anticipating the shoe to drop.
I grew up amid generations of scarcity thinking fueled by never enough time, never enough money, and never enough work, cleaning, practicing, studying, or Tupperware containers.
Comparing, judging, competing, complaining, and blaming echoed never enough, never deserving, never right.
The message? “What’s the use? Nothing I do is ever good enough. Why try? I won’t get it right. I am a failure.”
Unconsciously, scarcity thinking followed me through my young years and into my adult years; I rarely felt confident about my decisions, choices, or appearance.
Most days, I felt anxious when questioned about what I was doing or whom I was doing it with, what I was eating or not eating, and what I looked like or didn’t look like.
Generally, I felt as if I was doing something wrong or in trouble. No freedom from scarcity.
I gave up on me at a very early age.
I turned down running for high school class offices, hid my singing voice, and didn’t try out for the band in college; I gave up on music entirely!
I settled for a college degree that I knew I could achieve, instead of pursuing my love of music. I was too afraid of failing and not being good enough. No freedom from scarcity.
“One moment, please… We interrupt our regular program to bring you this special bulletin…” ~Charles M. Schultz
I AM ENOUGH! I AM WORTHY! I AM A SUCCESS!
Today…
…my story is one of abundance and freedom from scarcity.
…my belief system rests on courage, commitment, curiosity, clarity, compassion, creativity, and contribution.
…my mindsets reflect abundance of appreciation, possibility, worthiness, enough, opportunity, choices, sharing, and gratitude.
…I say what direction I’m going, what decisions I’m making, and what choices I prefer.
…I eat what I want, when I want, and decide how much I want, or don’t want.
…I dress the way I want, cut and style my naturally gray hair the way I want, and wear makeup if I want to or don’t want to.
…I will not settle for high maintenance relationships or relationships that do not inspire and develop both of us, you and me.
…my time belongs to me…and there’s plenty of it! I choose to use it in ways that serve my peeps and me well.
…I choose the expectations that I have for my life, my relationships, my family, my career, my business, and me.
…I no longer simply reach for the stars. I whole-heartedly grab the stars I want!
…I own every piece of my success, time, freedom, possessions, accomplishments, and experiences from my singing voice, to the relationships I’ve fostered, to my work and career achievements, to my super inspiring blog and coaching practicing, to my adorable pets, to my 1600 sq. ft. perennial garden, to the amazing family that I love to the moon and back, infinitely.
…I am a FierceChick who shines in the light of abundance!
And guess what? You can too! Here’s how?
[bctt tweet=”On the other side of scarcity is the abundance of freedom.” username=”simplysagi”]
Freedom of Abundance
Ask yourself three simple questions:
“What if I changed my thinking from scarcity to abundance?”…and I’m not talking about money.
“What might be possible if I invited abundance into all my life?”
“What would be amazing and totally awesome if I changed my beliefs from “I’m not enough,” “I’m not worthy,” “I’m a failure” to “I AM ENOUGH!” “I AM WORTHY!” “I AM A SUCCESS!”
Envisioning freedom from scarcity, is simple, yet putting it into action and actually doing it, is not always easy. I know!
Living in scarcity has made us experts at sabotaging our value, our worth, and our success.
The scarcity voices in our head are skilled at bullying the abundant voices of our true self. I know!
Quieting the scarcity voices takes will, stamina, perseverance, determination, and daily practice.
It’s hard work, yet it’s good work. It’s the best work I’ve ever done and will ever do.
Christi Bender says
Kelli…. This is a great article and I connect with much of it. It’s it amazing how we all have some variation of the theme of “not enough” running in the background? As a tax accountant I see it in my clients all the time. Money is a huge issue and while abundance is about so much more than that – it’s often an easy way to quantify our progress.
Thank you for forthright honesty and the modeling of being strong while being vulnerable. You are, in so many ways, an inspiration to me!
Kelli says
Hi Christi!
I am so grateful for you and your reply. Clarifying my themes of scarcity have been incredibly enlightening and inspiring. Whereas money, as you shared, is often the trigger, so much more lurks beneath (i.e., enough, worth, and success.) that creeps into how we view our relationships, careers, business, and even ourselves. Noticing scarcity in our language, thinking, beliefs, mindsets, and even behaviors is a huge first step toward kicking the shit out of scarcity. We are enough! 🙂
Joy Hanna says
Wow! I’m waiting for my 7 day challenge. I’m so vulnerable to scarcity. I’m at the point where I can identify it, but I haven’t developed the skills to kicking its ass. Do I make sense?
Kelli says
Hi Joy!
Thank you for writing! I’m so grateful! You do make sense! My journey with scarcity beliefs and lack mindsets has been lifelong. We often grow up socialized in lack and scarcity because of generational cultures. No one to blame. However, once I got clear about how scarcity beliefs and lack mindsets were interfering with my confidence, worth, and success, I got serious about change and am excited to share all I’ve learned with you! I’m working on the challenge now. Here’s a little sneak peak…Day 1 will be all about courage. Digging into our scarcity beliefs and lack mindsets can stir up all kinds of thoughts, feelings, and emotions…and definitely vulnerability. We need courage to lean into and support us. Without courage, it’s easy to give up and talk ourselves out of committing. We can do this! 🙂