Abundance Or Scarcity Mentality (Is The Glass Half Full?)
Our outlook on the world and all it has to offer can often be nailed down to these two powerful mindsets. It can be the difference between success and failure depending on where your mind is at given the situation. I'll explain a little more about the concept in case you've never heard of it, and how it could be a useful concept for you to be mindful of in all areas of life, be it CrossFit, business, financial security or relationships.I'd heard of the concept over the years but until researching for this blog I didn't know where it had originated. Stephen
"Covey first coined the term 'abundance mentality' in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey coined the idea of abundance mentality or abundance mindset, a concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and success to share with others. He contrasts it with the scarcity mindset (i.e., destructive and unnecessary competition), which is founded on the idea that, if someone else wins or is successful in a situation, that means you lose; not considering the possibility of all parties winning (in some way or another) in a given situation. Individuals with an abundance mentality are able to celebrate the success of others rather than feel threatened by it." (English, L (2004).
Covey argues that the abundance mentality arises from having a high sense of self-worth and security, and leads to the sharing of profits, recognition and responsibility. "Organizations may also apply an abundance mentality when doing business." (Covey.S 2004)
Is the glass half full or half empty? If you hear someone say "there's plenty more fish in the sea" it's a perfect example of demonstrating an abundance mentality. However, increasingly life seems to be dominated by a scarcity mentality. We are hit with it every day in the media and news with incessant doom and gloom and the focus is all on what we haven't got or lost, or will lose. You could even say the economic climate has possibly been compounded by a scarcity mentality in action on a global scale. Ever noticed on the most part the news is pretty negative? We sometimes get those occasional feel good stories pushed to the end section of the programme if we are lucky. Sure.. it will have been the last story on regional news! Be careful what you allow yourself to be exposed to in that organic computer of yours….yes I'm talking about your brain. The input will dictate your output and application of abundance…. or scarcity. You choose!
Abundance Mentality in CrossFit: This can and should be applied as a coach. Competition in itself is built on WIN/LOSE…conquer, whatever you want to call it . By winning you take the pot, the resources, the glory, respect or status! So… having an abundance mentality in the CrossFit WoD environment can be difficult. Take for example when members exceed their coaches in workouts. This is a perfect time to apply the principle. For some this may be damaging to their ego, for others an incentive to improve their own performance…WIN/WIN. Or, if a client grows in capability way beyond yours, you have the chance to share in that success by taking pride in the fact that you helped to get them where they are.Others can WIN the WoD, but so can you in a different way: with a PR, a new milestone of unbroken reps, a run without stopping, a workout completed with a heavier weight than last time. Cutting corners, cheating reps or ranges of motions are all indicators of submitting to that scarcity mentality. I've seen it more than I care to, and from some people I would never have imagined needed to.
Or you may have heard conversations at the gym or in CrossFit circles like this: 'Burpees suck…I'm handicapped by my size! When are they going to programme the heavy shit! Then we'll separate the men from the boys!' Funny… you didn't hear the weaker guys and girls complain about going heavy in the CrossFit Open too much this year. Or what about: 'yeah but that WoD was made for you….so that's why you beat me this time!' Looking for the flaws in others abilities or performances says more about you than them. I've been guilty of it myself! WIN/LOSE scarcity thinking is a powerful and potent driver. That need to beat someone else may be overriding the truthful question you should be asking yourself. Am I better than I was yesterday (honestly)?So try to think there's enough to go around for everyone to WIN..hmmm… unless it's a packet of Rolo's. There's no one special enough to get my last one of those…sorry! Anyway, the way you choose to look at things could make the difference. Make your world plentiful!
About the Author
For more information go to http://spartanstrength.co.uk/ Sean Murray is a Manchester CrossFit/Personal Trainer, Level 1 BWL Olympic Weightlifting Asst.Club Coach based in Castlefield. He also runs his own bootcamp in North Manchester. He works with clients on their weight and fitness goals as well as athletes looking to enhance their work capacity and improve their skills for their given sport. He also writes his own blog on CrossFit culture.
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