Abundance v. Scarcity

I was recently talking with a massage school owner about these paradigms and how they influence how people in our profession interact with each other, and what they are willing to share, or collaborate with. We agreed that when holistic practitioners come together to collaborate and share in abundance, they are more likely to succeed.  Whether that looks like more time, money or opportunity to name a few benefits of collaboration.

An abundance mindset is rooted in the belief that there are limitless opportunities for growth, success, and fulfillment. It challenges the notion that resources are finite, encouraging individuals to focus on possibilities rather than constraints. This perspective fosters collaboration, creativity, and resilience, as it allows one to envision abundance not only in material wealth but also in relationships, ideas, and personal achievements. Cultivating this mindset begins with gratitude, a willingness to share, and a trust in the interconnectedness of people and opportunities.

In contrast, a scarcity mindset operates on the belief that resources, opportunities, and successes are limited, leading to competition and fear of loss. This perspective often manifests as a focus on insufficiency and a reluctance to share or collaborate, as individuals perceive their gains as inversely related to others'. Such a mindset can stifle innovation and hinder relationships, creating barriers to personal and collective growth. Overcoming a scarcity mindset requires conscious effort to shift focus from limitations to potential, fostering an environment where trust and mutual benefit prevail.

What does it look like in the wellness community?

Abundance mindset can look like:

·         A solopreneur who collaborates with other practitioners to make sure patients get well rounded and appropriate treatment.

·         Taking the time to chat with a new practitioner about your work.

·         Teaching a class in a modality you are an expert in.

·         Sharing resources and ideas with other holistic practitioners.

A scarcity mindset can look like:

·         Refusal to help other practitioners in your place of business or actively creating barriers to relationships.

·         Discouraging new practitioners or refusing to offer them resources that could help them.  

·         Discouraging employers from hiring new staff.

·         Refusing to collaborate on treatment for a patient with other practitioners.

Relationships, resources and collaboration an abundance mindset gives you, comes back in almost immediate returns. More success for someone else does not mean less success for you. It’s not pie.

Our professional growth depends on experts in our field collaborating and making us stronger. There are a lot of open jobs out there, and one massage therapist can only do so many treatments per day. In other words: We need each other.

If you tend to function with a scarcity mindset at times, give this a try and see what happens!

Abundance Mindset Passport:

1)      Contact a new practitioner in your area and welcome them to the area. Ask them about their work and tell them about yours.

2)      Book a massage with a practitioner in your area.

3)      Call your local massage school and ask if they need any experienced massage therapists to give a talk on something you are an expert in.

4)      Participate in a local small business event and meet other people in the wellness community and share ideas.