“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep;

I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”

– Alexander the Great

I used to think that as a leadership and executive coach, my primary job was to help leaders with skills, problem solving and strategy. As it turns out, I spend most of my time helping them examine and change mindsets.

• A small business owner wants to sell his business or hand it over to a family member but he hasn’t developed a sufficient identity and confidence outside of the workplace to let go.
• A non-profit leader wants to expand her organization’s reach and impact – but she struggles with trusting others and needing the immediate feedback that comes with putting out fires. They never grow.
• A new CEO comes into a company that is doing well – but it could be doing great. He’s unknowingly driven by a need to succeed and make his mark. He ends up rattling and undermining a company that hasn’t had a chance to build confidence or loyalty in him.

The power of mindset. Alexander the Great understood this. In the quote above, often attributed to him, he recognizes that leadership mindset is the most important differentiator of potential success or failure.

Three Practices that Build an Abundance Life

What is a mindset? According to dictionary.com a “Mindset” is: A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations.

One of the most important mindsets has to do with whether we see life from a perspective of abundance or one of scarcity.

In a previous article, 7 Ways to Develop a Perspective of Abundance, I describe practical steps to begin seeing life abundantly.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to three actions you can begin to take that will help you live life abundantly.

1. Practice Personal Development: I’ve noticed a very consistent pattern. People who invest time, resources and energy in personal growth – grow. They become deeper people. They develop richer character. They have broader perspective. They are able to offer more value. They experience life with more appreciation.

People who do not invest in their own personal or professional development – don’t grow. They are stuck. Their only option for personal growth or learning comes from the random chance of experience.

While I’m a big believer that experience matters, the experience of a sea captain who drifts all over the ocean is not of the same value of the captain who can get to port, on time, every time.

Taking the time, the energy and the resources to invest (and invest heavily & regularly) in personal growth changes your perception.

Being intentional about the experiences that you have means that you have different experiences.

• What is one way that you can begin investing in your personal or professional growth today?

2. Practice Bringing Enormous Value to Others: An abundance mindset is completely comfortable with offering overwhelming value to others. It isn’t worried about “giving away the store.” As I’ve worked to cultivate this in myself I’ve noticed a shift in how I relate to clients and relationships.

I’ve always wanted to serve my clients well. But often I was driven more by the accolades, personal pride in a job well done or the possibility of more projects. What I didn’t do is ask myself, “What would best serve this client right now? How can I bring the greatest, possible value to my client while we are together?”

I started asking those questions and exploring this perspective. The nature and quality of my services changed. My clients have benefitted. When they benefit—I benefit. My benefit isn’t a goal. It is a natural outcome.

• What is one way that you can bring enormous value to someone around you?

3. Practice Generosity: I mentioned this in my previous article. I’ll define generosity as: Giving for the benefit of others without an expectation of return.

The very act of giving – whether it is charitable giving, tipping, favors, listening to someone talk, etc – challenges our perspective that there isn’t enough. Personally, I don’t believe that we should give because it benefits us. I believe we should give with the intent of benefitting others.

The practice of being generous is one of abundance. Your actions are clearly saying, “I have enough,” “There will be enough.” As a result, we experience abundance. In fact, this dynamic is so powerful that it is recognized in many cultures and religions.

Generosity changes us. It changes the world around us. It changes how the world interacts with us.

• What is one way that you can demonstrate meaningful generosity today?

Creating your mindset

Mindsets are interesting. They tend to be formed by high repetition or by intensely powerful & emotional experiences. Our mindset regarding abundance or scarcity was likely shaped that way.

Unfortunately, lessons once learned may no longer be serving us well.

Fortunately, we can choose to change our mindset.

Regular practice of Personal Development, Bringing Enormous Value to Others, and Generosity will change your mindset to that of abundance.

That is the key to experiencing abundance.

What one practice are you going to begin today?

This article is a continuation of a series I’m calling, “Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life.” Click here to find my previous article 7 Ways to Develop a Perspective of Abundance.