Audrey Hepburn famously said “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible!” This is an example of a growth mindset. A person with a growth mindset views the world as having limitless potential. A growth mindset isn’t just for the high-achieving celebrity or athlete; it’s also for the small business owner who wants to have a successful business and the employee who wants a life that includes healthy children, healthy partnerships, and healthy work-life balance. A growth mindset can be helpful in every area of life. A person with a growth mindset views success as possible no matter the circumstances.
A scarcity mindset is a view that things are limited based on your current circumstances. A person with this view may find themselves miserable at a job but feeling stuck due to family obligations. This could also look like a small business owner who is unwilling to ask for help due to the belief that no one would want to help them achieve their goals. A person with a scarcity mindset views failing in a situation as being a personal failure for them.
Mindset impacts our approach to setting goals, allowing us to either set “safe, comfortable” goals or set goals that push them beyond their comfort zone by having risks and potential for failure. It’s essential to be aware of limiting beliefs. Beliefs form the foundations of our expectations. Being aware of where you have low standards, where you have negative thoughts around a goal or situation, and noticing the kinds of things you complain about or blame others for can help you start identifying where your limiting beliefs are.
It’s not an easy or fast process. We have been collecting the facts, evidence, and references for this belief that lead to a scarcity mindset all our lives. We’ve seen our family members struggle financially, our friends have unsuccessful businesses, or had co-workers that tried to leave, and it didn’t work out. These examples have an impact that takes time to unlearn. This can be personalized through activities like journaling, with a professional like a therapist, or in a group setting with a qualified facilitator.
I struggled with my mindset for a long time, which had a big impact. I don’t want others to struggle as long as I did. If you’d like support, join my 90-day mindset reset group starting Jan 1. For more information, check out https://linktr.ee/mohealing2020. Together, 2023 can be bigger and better, we gotta believe it!
Professional Link: https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org/clinicians/spectrum-of-healing-llc/

Bio: Stephanie Barbee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri. She serves primarily Black Queer people who seek to understand their identities, overcome traumatic experiences, or explore how to move through a world that sees them as invisible. She also speaks, trains, and consults.

Image by John Hain at Pixababy