Do you ever feel like you're never going to have enough? Like no matter how much you get, it's always not enough? You're not alone. In this post, I will share some tips on how to feel like you have enough. So read on and see if any of these resonate with you.
The artist's life is one of uncertainty, a constant state of wondering if they will ever be able to enjoy proper stability and success as an independent creator.
The only thing that seems inevitable for now is those social media followers who seem happy because you're online sometimes - it doesn't mean anything official. They work hard at their craft but often feel like there isn't enough money or connections in this world that relate so closely with artistry. A scarcity mindset can make you feel like your work is never enough. It's a familiar feeling for many creative people, but it doesn't have to stay this way.
Seeing opportunity and potential in your creative life
You are not alone in experiencing these pangs of creativity, and there's always something new on the horizon if we look closely enough. I discovered artists and creatives are particularly vulnerable to this way of thinking. As my behavior started coming into focus for what it was - often working from a place filled with lack-I realized that what we're all seeking is in limited supply.
I was so caught up in the hustle that I lost myself. It's not just about making money, it is also a lot of other things like stability and peace for your mind as an artist, which you need to consider before getting overwhelmed with everything else going on around us.
I realized if this lifestyle isn't going anywhere anytime soon, then maybe some changes are needed because now, all I'm doing every day seems to be repeating itself repeatedly without any growth whatsoever. What if we all thought of our creative work as an exercise in abundance? What would happen to the world's wealthiest people then, because they wouldn't be making even more money.
Living happily ever after doesn't come from luck—it comes from seeing what you already have.
Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about a scarcity mindset — what it is, how it affects us, and ways we can use it to see more prospects and possibilities in our creative pursuits.
How to overcome a scarcity mindset for the future you
What is a scarcity mindset?
A scarcity mindset can make you feel like your wants are in short supply and that there is never enough of whatever it may be.
It's defined as a mental state in which you feel like your wants are in short supply and that there is never enough of whatever it may be. This way of thinking often results in feelings of insecurity, doubt, and lack of control. People with a scarcity mindset tend to be very focused on their goals, but they also tend to be very rigid in their thinking. This can lead to a lot of stress, anxiety, and problems in relationships and work.
How to overcome a scarcity mindset
You can experience a scarcity of any type around money, time, and connections. If you feel lonely when it comes to connecting with others or feeling valued by your status in life, then this might be what's going on for you.
When we are in a mindset where there's not enough, our brains do some exciting things. For example:
We become so wrapped up in the problem that we are trying to solve it becomes an unhealthy addiction. This could manifest opportunities or get more Instagram followers for your business account.
Yes, it can be tempting to get lost in the tunnel. There are some great benefits but also several disadvantages for you as well.
Benefits:
We have a sudden and intense clarity about what needs to be done. We don't make any mistakes when "tunneling" our focus, which helps us stay productive for more extended periods.
Disadvantages:
We are myopes. We can't see outside the tunnel and have blinders on to everything else, so it's easy for us to lose track of time or miss meetings because we're focused only inches away from where our noses need be. This ends up costing a lot more than you think.
We all have days where we feel like our bandwidth is low. It's that feeling of mental exhaustion caused by doing too many things in one day- this can be considered a sign of reduced fluid intelligence and self-control abilities that result from feeling scarce (not having enough).
You have the power to fight it.
When we're in a scarcity mindset, it can be easy to think of things as either/or. This leads us to the perspective of Mullainathan and Shafir's suitcase metaphor for this kind of reasoning: You can only pack so many things when you have a smaller suitcase.
You have to choose between bringing the extra t-shirt or umbrella, but if it's an abundance mindset, there is room in your big backpack for all possible solutions and outcomes of this getaway.
Why are creative individuals so susceptible to this sort of thinking?
We feel scarce in many different areas of our lives.
We've all felt the scarcity of time, money, and status. We constantly have to advocate for our value in galleries within academia or society, but what about as artists? The pressure is even heavier when you're trying your hand at being an entrepreneur with no professional training behind them, which can be pretty challenging sometimes.
We are constantly striving to reach our full potential, but the reality is that we may not be able to do everything at once.
We feel scarcity because some things feel more important than others. If you're succeeding in one area, there will be another where your success poses an obstacle for progress elsewhere- this also applies when looking only within your self-esteem.
Creatives love the tunnel.
When Jessica Abel talks about why creativity can feel trapping, her blog post touches on a common theme for many people who have experienced being in the flow.
We pride ourselves on being able to work in the zone. It makes us feel powerful, effective and focused when we're doing our hundred-hour projects because that's how schools train you for it - by putting down lots of hours at once before getting things done. It turns out this forge ahead mindset isn't always the best thing, though:
We are constantly juggling.
When juggling many different things at once, it can be challenging to stay focused.
You might feel like you will never have enough time or mental energy for your work because this feeling always leaves one task behind when another needs attention immediately- creating even more stress.
We deserve better than just 'catching up' all day every single week - so what if some days require more effort now? There's no reason why these feelings should rule our lives anymore.
When overwhelmed with work or unsure about something, try something meditative, something you can lose yourself in, like throwing clay on a wheel.
How can we get out of the scarcity mentality?
Create an intentional relationship to the tunnel.
When you are in the scarcity mindset tunnel, it isn't easy to notice when this comes up. We need a plan for an exit so that our way of working isn't against us but instead allows laser focus on what matters most.
There are some tips for getting out of the myopic, blinders-on way you've been working:
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of own life, but some tasks can wait. Make room for what matters by setting aside specific blocks of time and then scheduling yourself accordingly.
You can get an outside perspective from a collaborator, partner, or coach to help you see what's missing in your life.
Your brain needs some attention, so go for a walk or take the opportunity to step away from what you're doing. You'll be better off in terms of focus and creativity once your body has had time out too.
Social media doesn't help fight this mindset.
When social media constantly bombard us with messages telling us that only one of something will be taken away from us if not bought now, our brain becomes wired for scarcity.
This mindset causes many people to feel as though they must buy all types of unique products simply because their value may decrease in the future when someone else has them already.
It becomes hard to remember what matters when you share your life on social media. All the people and brands in one stream make things harder for us when we try to recall our cares or drives, but don't worry.
There is an easy way to cut down this noise by following only those who mean something special to you.
Use social media advantageously.
You can't escape social media, so why not use it as an instrument for advertising? That's what they were built to do. And minimize your relationship with the platform outside of this.
Outside of social media, what other systems do you engage with that reinforce the idea of scarcity? Are your work environment and colleagues supportive? Does money seem like it's hard to come by in this place (even if there are plenty of opportunities)?
How might these messages be impacting how much respect or security we feel here at ____(work)? Take some time today for reflection on whether their attitudes towards life as an employee can affect our outlooks toward tomorrow."
Minimize the juggle.
We can't do it all. When we try to, our lives become a juggling act. The pressure builds quickly until something snaps; this often leaves us feeling like garbage because there's no time left for anything meaningful or personal in your life outside work (or other priority).
The solution? Set values-driven priorities that are key when being effective while not overdoing things, so as long as you have some tools at disposal, they'll help get rid of any stress associated with balancing many responsibilities:
When it comes time to prioritize, the priorities matrix can help you determine what needs focus and why. This is an easy way of seeing where everything falls into place to avoid missed opportunities for success.
You can get a coach or accountability partner to help you recognize your values and set some goals.
This is a starter exercise for those who are juggling many things. The goal of the list should be to identify what's most essential and set some goals in that area, so try making an order from the top four most vital aspects first before eliminating any other items in your life today.
How can we begin to have a feeling of abundance?
Begin with gratitude.
Gratitude is a convenient thing. Not only does it give you perspective and help you recognize all the beautiful things in your life, but it also helps identify how we are resourced for those moments- whether that be through people or places.
Start your day by writing down five things you're grateful for.
It can be something as simple as the sun shining or having a bed to sleep in, but make sure that these items are specific and personal to you.
When we practice gratitude regularly, our brains start to rewire so that instead of looking for what's wrong with our lives, we begin to see more of the good. This change in perspective helps us feel happier and more content with what we have.
Share your achievements.
It can be refreshing to hear about somebody else's success- primarily if it doesn't directly compete or threaten our sense of worth in a world that's constantly telling us what we're doing wrong.
A great way to start feeling abundant is by sharing your wins. Not only does it make you feel good, but it also helps others feel inspired and motivated.
Plus, when we're constantly lifting each other, the world becomes a little bit brighter for everyone involved.
When we practice gratitude regularly, our brains start to rewire so that instead of looking for what's wrong with our lives, we begin to see more of the good. This change in perspective helps us feel happier and more content with what we have.
It can be refreshing to hear about somebody else's success- primarily if it doesn't directly compete or threaten our sense of worth in a world that's constantly telling us what we're doing wrong.
Plus, when we're constantly lifting each other, the world becomes a little bit brighter for everyone involved.
Get organized.
Feeling scattered and overwhelmed can significantly contribute to the feeling that there's just not enough time in the day. One way to combat this is by getting organized.
This could mean anything from investing in a planner to set up some simple rules for your email inbox.
When our external environment is chaotic, it often reflects how we're feeling internally as well. A great way to start calming the storm is by taking some time to get organized and create order in your world- it'll help set the tone for the rest of your day.
Set boundaries.
It can be tough to say no, especially when we're worried about what other people might think or how it will reflect on our work ethic.
However, learning how to set boundaries is an essential part of taking care of ourselves and ensuring that we don't get overwhelmed.
Our time and energy become scattered and diluted when we don't set boundaries. Not only does this prevent us from achieving our goals, but it can also lead to feelings of resentment and frustration.
It's important to remember that it's okay to say no- in fact, it's often necessary.
A great way to start feeling abundant is by getting organized. This could mean anything from investing in a planner to set up some simple rules for your email inbox.
Our time and energy become scattered and diluted when we don't set boundaries. Not only does this prevent us from achieving our goals, but it can also lead to feelings of resentment and frustration.
It's important to remember that it's okay to say no- in fact, it's often necessary.
The importance of self-love.
To be our best selves for others, we need to take some time for ourselves. This could mean anything from taking a relaxing bath to going on a nature walk.
When we're constantly giving of ourselves, it can be tough to find the time and energy to recharge. However, if we don't take some time, we'll eventually start believing to feel burnt out.
Self-care and loving yourself is essential for maintaining our mental and emotional well-being.
In Conclusion
The next time you find yourself in a scarcity mindset, remember to take a step back and consider all of your options. Ask yourself if what you're focusing on is worth sacrificing other opportunities.
And most importantly, remember that the thing you want is not scarce – it's just your perception of it that's changed. When we change our perspective, we can change our entire experience.
Takeaways
It's essential to take some time for ourselves.
It can be tough to find the time to recharge when we're constantly giving.
Self-love is essential for maintaining our mental and emotional well-being.
The next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, remember to take some time for yourself to relax and recharge.
Remember that the thing you want is not scarce – it's just your perception of it that's changed. When we change our look on life, we can change our entire experience.
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