4 steps to set goals with an abundance mindset
When will you know you have enough - enough success, enough money, enough_____ (fill in the blank)?
I ask this question because when we don’t feel like we have or we are enough, we can easily fall into a scarcity mindset.
I’ve noticed that a scarcity mindset can impact so many areas of our lives - how we show up, what we plan for ourselves, the careers we choose, etc.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about setting goals and what’s underneath the goals we set.
When we’re setting goals, are we setting them from a place of scarcity or abundance?
Do we already feel we have enough or are we looking to achieve enough-ness via that goal?
And what’s the difference between setting goals from an abundance mindset versus a scarcity mindset?
These are the questions that have been rumbling around in my mind. 🤪 I hope you’re still with me!
I bring this up because setting goals from an abundance mindset versus a place of lack can be game-changing.
Setting goals from a place of scarcity sounds like - I need to achieve this goal and until I do, I’m not worthy or enough. What’s the impact of that? You won’t feel happy or fulfilled until you’ve achieved the goals. Your well-being is attached to an outcome that may or may not happen.
On the other hand, setting goals from a place of abundance sounds like - I already have enough. And achieving this goal is an add-on. What’s the impact of this? There’s more energy and more joy. Your well-being isn’t attached to your results, and you can enjoy the process more.
Do you notice the difference? It’s pretty significant.
Here are 4 steps to set goals from an abundance mindset.
1. Set goals by reflecting on your successes first
I was coaching one of my clients, and as we started to work on her goals, she said, “I want to focus on what I want and need next.”
I totally get this. I’ve been there.
But I told her to pause. I told her to notice the energy behind that desire.
It was one of, “This goal will help me fill in something I don't have.” There’s scarcity there.
I encouraged her to start by reflecting on her successes first.
So, we went through her list of everything she’d accomplished the previous year.
By the time she was done, she had tears in her eyes. It was incredible to feel that success - to take inventory of her hard work, her commitments, and where everything had led her in less than a year!
That energy allowed her to shift so that she could tap into that “I am enough” and “I have enough” feeling.
2. Continue with gratitude
After reflecting on your successes, make a list of everything you’re grateful for.
Consider your relationships and the people around you, events that have shaped who you are, material possessions, etc.
Be really specific and write out everything that comes to mind.
After you put your list together, read it out loud, and then sense that gratitude in your body.
What comes up now?
Do you notice a shift from when you first started to work on your goals?
3. Do a brain dump of everything you want to accomplish
Now you can get started with goal setting.
Consider all the things you want to accomplish in all areas of your life - work, personal relationships, finances, etc.
Don’t be afraid to flare - to go really broad. This is an opportunity to daydream and think about everything you want for yourself.
From there, you can focus and choose your top 3 goals. I’m a big fan of the number three. You’re covering a few areas but not too many.
Check out this blog post to learn more about how to set goals.
4. Continue to build an abundance versus scarcity mindset
I want to highlight that it can be difficult to always come from a place of abundance. There’s a level of privilege involved where your basic needs have to be met and you have to feel safe. Acknowledging this is important, and if you have your basic needs met, there’s already a lot to be grateful for.
Creating an abundance mindset also requires you to build a habit. It requires self-awareness and a constant checking in with yourself.
Make it a habit to ask yourself: am I coming from a place of abundance or scarcity?
And check in with how you feel in your body. Notice how abundance lands in your heart space or your gut and then notice how scarcity lands.
Here are some additional journal prompts to help you take stock of where you are with your sense of “enough-ness”:
When will you know you have enough?
What will your bank account look like?
What will your career look like?
What will your relationships look like?
What comes up for you?