I read a quote the other day that I want to share: “The world belongs to those who let go.” By Lao Tzu
It got me to thinking about clients I’ve worked with who can’t let go of fear and anxiety and consistently worry about worst-case scenarios. The whole concept of a glass “half empty vs half full “is the basic idea. If I am functioning from the mindset of what is lacking or missing, rather than the possibilities or opportunities that are present, that’s the true definition of “Poverty Mindset.”
What we focus on becomes what we see, and what we experience, and that creates our reality. What if I upset my staff, what if there aren’t enough patients, or not enough referrals, or not enough money? What if I make a mistake? Or fail? Pema Chodron looks at mistakes and failures as an opportunity to adjust course and to not take life so seriously.
If you have the belief that everything is hard to get, then everything in life is a struggle or an uphill battle. Turns out you have the power to change your mindset. You can re-engineer how you think. The Catch 22 is that all that unproductive angst actually creates burnout and that willdefinitely block you from the very success and security you long for.
“So, what’s the answer?” you might ask.
Tell yourself how liberating it would be to simply let things be what they are. Life happens even when you’re super vigilant. Better to expect the unexpected and roll with it. Be prepared, of course. But don’t keep trying to control your world. In your practice, work with your team on how “surprises” can be handled. Believe in others to do their part and make wise decisions. Focus more on the support they give you which allows you to succeed, rather than ruminating on things that have gone wrong in the past.
Live in a state of gratitude. I know those words can sound like a cliché but hear me out. What if you kept a list of what you have to be grateful for? Family, friends, good health are just starters. A hummingbird out your window is a gift too. As is the wind. I was in a meeting in a stuffy room the other day and when I walked outside, I felt a cooling breeze. I stood still, closed my eyes and just let myself feel.
It is said that you attract what you project. “Act as if” is a great term. Act as if you’re not a worrier and you believe the universe will provide all the abundance you need. “Act as if” you do not have to try to control everything for things to all work out. “Let go,” as the quote at the beginning of this blog advises. A great starting point is being fully aware of your own tendencies and how counter-productive they can be.
On the other hand, an abundance mindset believes there’s plenty of everything for everyone and lots of time to get it. We are what we believe, they say. Spend more time with people who have an abundance mindset rather than a poverty mindset. Turns out either one is contagious.
In summary, you can break the habit of “poverty mentality” thinking. Ask those closest to you to remind you when you are being unnecessarily negative. For goodness sakes, enjoy this beautiful and amazing life. As you well know, we only get one chance.