Living with the perception that resources are scarce is often considered as an obstacle to becoming rich or something that will prevent you from achieving your goals.

After all, if you believe, for example, that money is a finite resources, then you’ll only receive a finite amount. And the less you believe you should have, the less you will have. When attached to your limiting beliefs or tight to your self-worth, it is true, that a scarcity mindset will prevent you from going beyond, what you believe is possible.

If you let your scarcity mindset prevent you from taking risks, from considering opportunities that can change your life, if you let it prevent you from being who you want to be, then yes, it will rule and maybe ruin your life.

However, once you have identified such a mindset and conquered your fears to do sh@!$t despite it, it can help you develop super powers! It can be the foundation used, to not sabotage yourself but in fact, take you to the next level.

Let’s see how, shall we?

Prioritising your needs

It isn’t about just living below your means, it is about deciding what is important to you. It is about which area of your life is a priority, what is truly important to you.

Organic groceries are super expensive, but my health is essential so I’m not going back to eating unhealthy junk food. For now, finishing up our apartment is also a priority. Once this is done, my money will be funnelled differently. These are just examples of my priorities.

You get choose and commit to what your priorities are and structure your life around what is essential to you. Obviously, such priorities can change over time.

It also might help with your finances: Advises I would give my 20 something self!

Anticipating your needs

Having a scarcity mindset can also teach you to anticipate your future needs or even just your future projects. Budgeting for a trip or an important purchase are obvious examples, but it’s not all about money.

Maybe you’ll want to learn a language before going on your next trip. It is always useful and could save you from difficult situation. It can be about learning another type of skill. In most cases, anticipating makes things easier.

Being more resourceful

I’m pretty sure I’ve said this before when I was doing my one year no-buy challenge. Putting constrains on yourself, makes you more resourceful. When you want something that isn’t in your priority list, don’t let it defeat you. Find a way to overcome instead. See it as a challenge and you’ll learn to move mountains.

Being more creative

Again, I’m pretty sure I said this before as well, but I believe creativity thrive in constrain!

Design for small spaces are often genius for example.

People often learn new ways to handle things when they don’t really have a choice. They learn new crafts and thrive if they see this as a challenge, rather than let themselves be defeated by it.

Learning new skills

Becoming more resourceful and more creative often go hand in hand with learning new skills. And there is no better time than now to do so, as online access to any and all types of skills has never been easier.

Maybe your motivation to learn new skills will come from what seems to be the wrong motivation, but at the end, it doesn’t even matter. So just learn!

Why you should learn sewing on a vintage sewing machine!

Being more careful

Scarcity can also teach you to be more careful. Maybe it is as simple as putting a protective cover on your phone, or reading the labels before washing your latest purchase.

Being careful is first applied to the things you buy, their quality, their durability, how these can be repaired.

It is also about being careful to such possessions in the long run. Learning to treat them with respect and to take care of them so they last longer is often overlooked. You will read many articles on people who drive old cars, you won’t read as many articles on how they maintain them in pristine conditions.

Saving ressources

Scarcity also teaches you to be more careful with resources.

Camping comes to my mind here as a great way to learn. You know me!

When you have a finite quantity of water with you, you become very mindful on how you use it and this is something you learn quickly when camping. It’s just an example, but we may all need to become very cautious how we manage water, in a very near future, so why not learn asap.

Being more frugal

There is really nothing wrong with being frugal. That’s why I’m calling it a super power.

When you know how to live with less, you are never scared of being forced to live with less. Knowing you can do it easily, that you can be happy with very little, removes constraints and obligations.

Obviously, it also saves money! But not only. Less possessions is less worries overall.

My no buy challenge changed me forever! Check it out: no buy challenge long term effects

Super powers grow with time

Yes, super power grow with time and commitment. After a while, it becomes second nature to question your needs and wants. It becomes instinct to explore alternative ways. It becomes easy to follow a tight budget.

Not only these super powers grow but one can influence others too.

Since I started learning to sew (honestly, I’m still learning) it lead me to be more picky about the clothes I still buy. I look at the fabric more carefully, how the seams are made, how the lining is built, if I will be able to alter the piece I’m looking at, for example. Learning this new skill has lead me to being more careful to my purchases.

After a while, when you kook at the whole picture that is you, your skills, your consumption habits, etc. you might be amazed by how far you came!

So here you have it, all the super powers you can gain from reframing your scarcity mindset. At least all the ones I could think of. I hope I convinced you to consider reframing your scarcity mindset. I’m not saying it’s easy, but I truly believe it is a beautiful journey.

If you have some super powers to add, don’t hesitate to comment below.

Don’t let your scarcity mindset rule your life!