When faced with a career challenge, do you see a dead end—or a detour leading to something better? Your answer reveals whether you’re operating from scarcity (“There’s not enough to go around”) or abundance (“Opportunities are limitless”).
As a leader in the Global Abundance Organization and a coach to high-achieving professionals, I’ve seen how shifting to an abundance mindset transforms careers. Here’s how to make it your secret weapon.
Scarcity vs. Abundance: The Mindset That Changes Everything
An abundance mindset is the unshakable belief that there’s enough success, resources, and joy for everyone. It’s the opposite of fearing others’ wins or seeing life as a zero-sum game.
Scarcity mindset sounds like:
- “If my colleague gets promoted, I lose.”
- “I’ll never find a job this good again.”
- “I have to hoard opportunities to survive.”
Abundance mindset sounds like:
- “Their success inspires me.”
- “Setbacks are redirections, not rejections.”
- “Collaboration creates more for everyone.”
Stephen Covey famously wrote that abundance stems from inner security—knowing your worth isn’t diminished by others’ achievements.
Why Abundance Fuels Career Success
- You Become a Magnet for Opportunities
- People trust and recommend those who uplift others.
- Example: A client of mine landed her dream role after consistently connecting peers to job leads—generosity boomeranged back.
- Resilience Becomes Second Nature
- Research shows scarcity thinking drains cognitive bandwidth (Princeton study: 13-point IQ drop under stress).
- Abundance thinkers adapt faster because they see alternatives.
- You Outperform Pessimists
- Studies reveal optimistic professionals are 56% more successful in sales (Dr. Martin Seligman) and 6x more engaged at work.
5 Practical Steps to Build Abundance (Tailored for Leaders & Coaches)
- Start with “Career Gratitude”
- Each morning, jot down 3 professional blessings: a supportive mentor, a skill you’ve gained, even a lesson from a failure.
Why it works: Gratitude rewires your brain to spot opportunities (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology).
- Reframe Limiting Beliefs
- Replace “I’m stuck” with “What’s one small step I haven’t tried?”
- My coaching tool: Ask, “What would someone who believes in abundance do here?”
- Give Without Strings Attached
- Share knowledge, make introductions, or mentor junior colleagues.
- Adam Grant’s research proves “givers” achieve long-term success.
- Celebrate Others’ Wins
- Send a heartfelt note when a peer succeeds. Their victory doesn’t diminish yours—it expands what’s possible.
- Redefine Success Broadly
- Beyond titles and salary, consider:
- Impact on others
- Work-life harmony
- Continuous growth
The Ripple Effect
Abundance is a practice, not a destination. Every time you choose collaboration over competition, you strengthen this mindset—and inspire others to do the same.
Your Challenge This Week:
- Give first: Offer help to one colleague without expecting anything in return.
- Reframe one setback: Ask, “How could this serve my growth?”
As the GAO teaches, true abundance starts within—then transforms careers and communities.
Christer Edman
Global Abundance Organization President for Sweden | Executive Career & Well-Being Coach