Scarcity or Abundance? Neither!

We hear a lot about an 'abundance mindset' these days. But sometimes this mindset is just a thinly disguised way of talking about greed.

Written Mar 03, 2009, read 1916 times since then.

I was watching a very interesting show(on CNBC) last night about the mortgage crisis, how it came about, and what the consequences have been.

The bottom line was very simple: Greed.

It's easy to point the finger at the mortgage companies and the investment houses that packaged these mortgages, along with several other players in this tragic drama.

But you and I, the American consumer, are equally responsible.

Somewhere we bought into the notion that, "You can have it all!" This led to borrowing on our home equity to pay off other loans with the belief that the value in our houses would keep on increasing forever.

Well you know how that worked out!

I succumbed as well. I refinanced my home and bought a condo in Mexico. Now, it's really nice and a great getaway (although we don't get away much!) but the downside is the $2K plus additional monthly mortgage payment.

Now I'm doing OK and haven't missed a payment, but I'm also noticing that Independent Professionals are tightening their belts and spending a little less online these days.

Now there are a few ways to react to all of this.

One way is to go into "scarcity mode" where you worry that it's all going to fall apart. Then every decision, every action is based on fear which leads to inaction and stagnation.

Another way is to turn on "abundance mode" which it to see every adversity as an opportunity and to turn on the creative juices and push harder than ever to advance on any setbacks you may have experienced.

Well, scarcity mode definitely doesn't work. I'd recommend working hard to get past that one as soon as possible.

But I'm not sure abundance mode is the answer either. After all, wasn't this the mode that got us into this mess in the first place?

Isn't abundance just a more polite name for greed?

Think about it. In abundance mode you visualize the money you will make, all the things you will buy, the home renovations you will do. It's a very strong driver. And I assure you that the mortgage lenders, bankers, and Wall Street firms were very much into that mode for several years.

But with abundance mode, all you're left with is a lot of stuff! And then you go into survival because you're afraid of losing that stuff.

Scarcity and abundance are just two sides of the same coin.

Perhaps there's a "middle mode" that's a lot more sustainable.

I call it "contribution mode."

When we're in contribution mode we are balanced. We are not thinking first about what we can get for ourselves, but what value we can provide for others.

What we offer isn't quick-fixes and smoke and mirror marketing strategies. We offer services, programs, and products that really deliver on their promise. These services help our clients build solid skills they can use for a lifetime. These programs provide a foundation for their careers, relationships, and lives.

Now, I must admit, contribution mode is not very popular. It's not very sexy. It doesn't promise instant riches. It takes work and dedication and trial and error.

On the other hand, contribution mode is deeply fulfilling and satisfying. When we're in contribution mode, we're making a difference, we are providing substantial value and we can sleep soundly at night knowing this.

Not only that, in contribution mode, we build our wealth slowly but surely. We don't risk everything we have on a long shot. We don't live beyond our means. We buy quality products that last a long time. We make our priority our loved ones and those who are less fortunate than us.

I invite you to dive into contribution mode. The water's fine!

The More Clients Bottom Line: Don't get dragged down by scarcity mode or seduced by abundance mode. Both of these modes are full of pitfalls that don't get you what you really want. Choose contribution mode. That's where the real prize is.

Learn more about the author, Robert Middleton.

Posted by Merry McNutt, Tacoma, Washington | Mar 08, 2009

Robert,

I like the bottom line of your article about "Contribution Mode" as one mode of generating a more balanced life. To avoid a negative conversation, I will just quickly say, greed will only take one backward in life-- every time. You've heard, "Give and you'll get back tenfold"? That, in my opinion, is a universal truth and such a way to captain my ship of life, of my businesses, of my relationships. My mindset of "How can I give?" has led to an incredibly abundant life for me and my clients. That is to say, abundance of a fulfilling and joyful life, from which you can't help but succeed financially, in your health, your relationships, etc. My CPA clients are all of the philanthropy mindset, as that is my constant mindset and I encourage it in every relationship: client, friend and family. I personally see abundance in so many areas. I was just visiting Guatemala and Belize where I was reminded of the great abundance we all have in the USA. We have an abundance of conveniences such as electricity, clean water, immunity shots, libraries, laws that primarily protect us, freedom to prosper, abundance of choices, etc. I have found that focusing on the abundance I/we have (health, love, family, electricity, clean water, etc.) and most definitely how I can be in a constant mode of giving (giving away to Goodwill, picking up garbage while walking, freely giving information that my brain has acquired, teaching classes, donating time and/or money to causes that are positive in focus, etc) has led to an incredible life, and an incredible and abundant list of clients who want to be around that attitude. I always talk to my CPA clients about starting their own non-profits, or being clear about the success they are experiencing and sharing that success with anyone they can—the philanthropy mindset. Thank you for your article, Robert ~ Merry McNutt, CPA, MBA
Posted by Iskra Johnson, Seattle, Washington | Mar 10, 2009

I haven't participated in the rating system yet but this one moved me to vote it a 10 by the fourth paragraph. Thank you!

You offer insightful perspective on the abundance dogma, which has always smelled a little funny to me. An entire industry has been built around people with a lot congratulating themselves for having gotten it and surrounding themselves with people who will pay to be told they can have it too if they just: chant, buy abundance manuals, shift their paradigm, or go to a seminar.

I especially appreciate your zooming out to the big picture. Much as I don't want to see my business dive, and I love having my security and comforts, I can see clearly that the "abundance" of the last decades has been unsustainable for the planet. The economic nosedive is a way of the earth speaking to us through the markets: "BRAKES! Hey humans, want to stay in business as a species???" How can consistent monthly figures of "housing starts up10%" be a good for a world running short of trees, wildlife, bees and birds? Not to mention concrete and granite for those fancy must-have kitchens?

Even as I fret for my own and my friends' well-being, and regret the suffering of the millions going jobless and homeless, I am deeply grateful that we have been given some breathing room. The idea was for civilization to be around for a long time, not just until the next quarterly earnings report.

Iskra Design http://www.iskradesign.com
Posted by Barbara Saunders, San Francisco, California | Mar 10, 2009

"Contribution mindset" is a great meme. It is useful not just as a counterweight to greed but also as a reality check to those of us who tend to think "modestly" about what we need. In order to truly contribute, one must have enough to contribute with - that is, not be scraping by, constantly worried about where the next meal is coming from!
Posted by Joe Shirley, Seattle, Washington | Apr 02, 2009

A gem. Fabulous insight, Robert. Intuitively I have also seen the overlap between greed and the abundance mentality, but to add in the two-sides-of-the-same-coin view of scarcity and abundance, and contrast that faux coin with the real currency of contribution, well, that's good thinkin'!

I think the underlying truth may be this: whether we are focused on scarcity or abundance/manifestation, we are coming from a place of lack on the inside that needs to be filled by stuff and experiences on the outside. The focus is on what's coming in.

On the other hand, when we experience ourselves as filled on the inside, scarcity and abundance become irrelevant. We are motivated to give of ourselves in ways that benefit others. We are free to enter the contribution mentality.

So how do we fill up on the inside? Hm. I think that calls for a blog post.

Thank you for your perspective and inspiration.
Posted by Marlaine Cover, Encinitas, California | Apr 22, 2009

Dear Robert,

New to Biznik but already in love with "Articles" due to plain speaking "contributions" such as yours. For me, feeling gratitude for simple things I enjoy daily (health, hot baths, fresh veggies,) serves to greatly enhance time spent in contribution (expansion) versus scarcity (contraction) mode. And I will indeed literally be "diving in" the Pacific in Oceanside CA May 10th wearing my Mother's Day finest (well dipping at least - tough to swim in a dress) for World Swim Against Malaria. The number of people joining me for this insanity add exclamation points to your line "the water is just fine!!!!" Thank you for your contribution! http://www.WorldSwimAgainstMalaria.com/OneSanDiegoCounty Hugs Marlaine
Posted by Chris Haviaris, Pearl River, New York | Jun 20, 2010

Way late to the conversation, but if anyone is still listening, I can't help but comment on this. I love your article and agree wholeheartedly with your association of abundance mentality and greed. I do think, though, that the abundance mode you are referring to, the one that is no doubt a huge contributor to our financial woes of late, is the more superficial sort. True abundance, as Merry alluded to in her comment, goes way beyond the "big house, fancy car, and lots of stuff" mentality. True abundance can only be felt within and is completely independent from outer circumstances. In fact, the need for all those things indicates a lack of true abundance, which is actually more akin to your contribution mode.

The difference is pure semantics, but since words are all we have, I hate to see abundance thinking shunned, when it might just need to be better understood.

Thanks for the great article.
Posted by Marlaine Cover, Encinitas, California | Jun 20, 2010

Amen! Thank you Robert for the affirmation!