Oh no, theres enough
Dear Aditya,
We've all been there. The clock ticking, the final countdown, the pressure mounting as we approach a deadline. "You won't get another chance", "Not possible at all", "Before time runs out", "Last few left", "Last day today". These phrases ring in our ears, pushing us into a frenzy. Our primal brain kicks in and we end up taking rash decisions. It's fascinating, and somewhat troubling, how we've wired our brains into a scarcity mindset.
Let me tell you a story. One rainy evening, I was driving around, looking for a parking spot. The first open spot I found felt like a victory, so I parked and walked the remaining distance to my destination. As I approached my destination, I saw an empty spot right next to the gate. "Ah! Should've checked." I thought. It's interesting how we often settle for the first thing we find, driven by a mindset of scarcity, rather than exploring for better options.
This mindset extends beyond parking spaces. It influences our decisions in shopping, career choices, relationships, and even how we perceive our achievements.
In one study, students were asked to arrange ten posters in order of attractiveness. After making their choices, they were told that the third highest-rated poster was no longer available. When asked to judge the posters again, the unavailable one was deemed the most beautiful. This psychological phenomenon, known as reactance, occurs when we suddenly desire something simply because it's no longer an option.
I see this mindset play out in everyday life. My wife saves her last bite as the most cherished one on her plate. To tease her, I often try to steal that last bite. We laugh about it, but it highlights how we approach value and scarcity differently.
Recently, our team at Let's Enterprise decided to collaborate with some high-end influencers to promote our experiential BBA program. Instead of focusing on potential losses, we chose to embrace an abundance mindset. We showcased our program to a broader audience, not out of fear, but with the belief that great things happen when we take bold steps. The result? An energized team, excited students, and a buzz that speaks volumes in impact.
The Romans had a saying, "Rara sunt cara," which translates to "Rare is valuable." This scarcity error is ancient, but so is the wisdom to overcome it.
The Story of Ratatouille: This humble French dish, born out of the need to make use of surplus vegetables, has now become a celebrated staple of French cuisine. The farmers didn't see the extra vegetables as a waste. They saw an opportunity to create something delicious and nourishing! An abundant mindset in every sense.
As you reflect on your journey, consider these questions:
How can you shift your perspective from scarcity to abundance in your daily decisions?
What resources or opportunities do you have that you might be undervaluing?
Things will always be topsy turvy, good and great too, but while you're here might as well eat, play and love abundantly!!!
In fratitude,
adi