Key Point: Our Character Triangle fans know that ABUNDANCE is one of the big three values we emphasize. When I wrote the book (almost 7 years ago now), it was the least understood and appreciated of the three (Self-Accountability and Respect being the other two). Now thanks to people like Peter Diamandis, and other high profile thinkers well beyond my capability, ABUNDANCE has risen to the top of the value “hit parade” This noun comes to us from the mid-14th century French, via the Latin abundantia, meaning “fullness, plenty.” Rather than a noun, I think it is most powerful as a verb. To make it more accessible in daily life and especially when many of us are in a somewhat reflective mood this time of the year, I’ve presented a few underlying ways of thinking/acting that support a mindset of abundance. And I think these precepts are more than that mind-numbing, self-help pablum.
- Begin from a place of generosity/giving/love rather than a place of lack. If you’re inviting abundance in order to feel more worthy of love, attention, or approval, and the energy behind the intention is LACK or scarcity, it will likely and somewhat counterintuitively attract more of the same.
- Consider and even practice non-attachment. Recognize and know that you have what you mostly need, no matter what you receive. Understand that attachment repels abundance while reasoned detachment seems to attract. This does not mean acting with detachment as much as not feeling possessive. Everything material ends one day. By the way, this thinking is contributing to the shared economy. Eg Uber, Airbnb, etc.
- Know how to accept. People who consciously create their lives understand that there are no extra or missing pieces in the moment. Accept that everything that is happening contributes to your continued growth and evolution. This does not mean it’s easy or that we have to like our current circumstances. What we chose to do about it is what counts most.
- Put yourself in surroundings that are positive. People who manifest abundance make conscious decisions to surround themselves with others who see the world as abundant rather than people who see the world through the lens of lacking. Get out of toxic places and do not waste your precious time hanging out with negative people. They have to fix themselves. You cannot fix others and yet you can still love them. However, the self-guilt to keep poisoning yourself is not right.
- Know the difference between inspired and fear-based action. We tend to run away from things that scare us. Inspiration attracts, so if you want to attract abundance, allow your actions to be driven by inspiration and purpose rather than fear. Understand that fear-based action repels while inspired, purposeful action attract abundance. Have the courage to take reasoned risks. Do and try things. Fail, get up and do more stuff. Experiment and keep moving forward.
- Interrupt old money patterns and recognize money is the means, not the end. Did you learn any stories about money growing up? “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “The love of money is the root of all evil.” “Money changes people.” “You have to work hard to make money.” Etc. There may be some truth in all those crazy sayings. But having an abundance mindset is NOT about money being our purpose. Ironically, when we chose and live with clarity of purpose, inspiration and generosity, enough money seems to find its way to us. I’ve found that people who talk about money all the time never have enough. They mostly live in lack, scarcity and fear (and complain a lot).
- Learn how to give more without expecting reciprocity. Just give because YOU want to, NOT because you are expecting some response or thing in return. If you do, you will likely be disappointed. People most appreciate our genuine presence, care, compassion and listening. And we can never run out of these. Just give more of yourself. You’re worth it. So are the ones you love.
I’m obviously not naive to the extra challenges related to “Black Swan” events like war or natural disasters. When we are in pure survival mode, our abundance mindset gets assaulted. However, incredible people like Victor Frankl taught us so much from horrifying experiences like Auschwitz (read Man’s Search for Meaning). So there is a compelling argument for abundance in any environment.
Personal Leadership Moves:
- On Christmas Day, regardless of one’s beliefs, it just seems right to me that we all get to unwrap, gift and re-gift ABUNDANCE. It sweetly keeps giving everyday, and never needs to be returned. No receipt or tracking number required.
Abundance in the Triangle,
– Lorne
One Millennial View: I too was fairly new to the concept of Abundance when the Character Triangle was first written, but now it’s the trait I too find most valuable and “telling” regarding character. From a Millennial perspective, Abundance can even be found in text messaging culture. Send people in your life texts because you want to, not because you need or expect a the perfect response.
– Garrett
Edited and published by Garrett Rubis