Abundance. It’s a word used so often that it’s sometimes hard to nail down exactly what it means. Not only that, but how do you create an abundance mindset? In this post, we’re going to explore the energetic and mindset components of creating an abundance mindset, as well as what actions to take to embody your newfound abundance.
Definition of Abundance Mindset
Before we dive deeper, let’s all get on the same page. What exactly does it mean to have “an abundance mindset?”
Merriam-Webster defines abundance this way:
1. an ample quantity : an abundant amount : PROFUSION
a city that has an abundance of fine restaurants
2. AFFLUENCE, WEALTH
a life of abundance
3. relative degree of plentifulness
While I dislike it when a dictionary uses part of the root word to define the word that’s being defined (how useful is that?), there are a couple key things to note:
- Affluence and wealth are common synonyms for abundance.
- Abundance means having plenty, which is more than the baseline I need.
However, having an abundance mindset does NOT require wealth. Having this mindset means I’m focused on what I have (and grateful for it!) rather than what I lack. I readily share what I have with others rather than hoarding my wealth, possessions, time, skills, and energy.
Conversely, I could be a multimillionaire and still feel that I “don’t have enough” and that I do need to hoard what I have. If that’s the case, I’m focused on “lack” or “not having enough.”
Benefits of Creating an Abundance Mindset
There’s several benefits to creating an abundance mindset. The biggest one is that being in a state of abundance (I’m focusing on what I have, giving gratitude) relaxes the body while being in a state of scarcity (I’m focusing on what I lack) increases tension in the body. Overall, I’m less stressed, and I enjoy my life more. I’m more present with my family and my loved ones. I’m more creative, and I can have a greater impact on the world.
Make no mistake: if you make less money than you need to survive, let alone thrive, you need different tools to bring abundance into your life than if you have a monthly surplus, savings, and little to no debt. However, when you start by creating an abundance mindset and approaching your finances with joy, the actions become much easier.
How to Shift Your Mindset
You may be wondering how to start creating an abundance mindset. One of the most important mindset shifts is to think of outgoing money as an investment or blessing rather than an expense. This shift will help you identify the short-term and long-term ROI of your purchasing decisions.
As you’re exploring whether or not to make a larger purchase, ask yourself these questions:
- How will this purchase free up my time and energy?
- How will it empower me to make more money, create better relationships, and/or have more fun?
- How might this purchase compromise my ability to be the best version of myself?
- What are the obvious and not-so-obvious opportunity costs of making this investment? In other words, what are the trade-offs?
- How does this purchase align with my future vision of my life and who I want to be?
Money is Energy, Not an Object
Another important step when creating an abundance mindset? Remember: money is energy, not an object. Time is energy. Presence is energy. And really, objects are energy, too.
Thinking of all your resources as eenrgy empowers you to leverage different streams of energy at different times. As such, you’ll avoid the illusion that “spending less money and spending more time is always the answer” or that “spending moeny always helps me save time.” It can also reduce anxiety and overwhelm that might come up when budgeting, tracking expenses, and mapping out your long-term wealth buidling strategy.
Mind Your Relationship With Money
When you’re working on creating your abundance mindset, it helps to think of money as a person (or other sentient being) with whom you have a relationship. Several of my coaches have encouraged me to think of money as a person in the past, and it’s a strategy that I know pass on to my coaching clients and members of our coworking space.
When a person thinks of money as a cold, hard metal, it depersonalizes their relationship with money, and they’re more likely to have an unhealthy or toxic relationship with their finances. Would you only check in with the person you’re dating when things are going off the rails so badly that you need support right that minute to fix things? No, not in a healthy, interdependent relationship. So why do so many of us have this pattern with our finances where we’ll avoid issues until they become so large that they’re overwhelming? If instead, we have an ongoing relationship with money, working with money (and healing or improving our finances) becomes an ongoing practice.
Actions to Help You Create Abundance
While many things cna help you create abundance after you first create an abundance mindset, I’ve personally found four actions the most impactful. Having regular money dates, doing body check-ins, and focusing on other things (yes, I’m serious) all help me improve my abundance mindset and heal my relationship with money.
Money Dates
In her community, Art of Money, financial therapist Bari Tessler shares about the power of crafting intentional “money dates.” Just like people in intimate relationships go on dates with each other, we can continue to consciously build our relationships with money, with our finances. Like any good date, a money date should be fun, relaxing, and invigorating. It should be a time of (re)connection and intimacy; it might be sacred and spiritual. Whether it’s weekly or biweekly, creating a reoccuring time to build and joyfully expand your relationship with money will continue to support you with embracing and embodying that energy of abundance.