Warning: You’re Losing Funding with the Wrong Mindset

I’m curious, as a leader, do you ever…

• Worry you’re going to run out of time to get everything done?
• Wonder where the funding will come from for your program and fear there won’t be enough?
• Feel anxious when you’re hiring that you won’t get good quality candidates?
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These thoughts indicate a scarcity mindset
This kind of thinking could be a sign of a scarcity mindset. The scarcity mindset focuses on what isn’t there. It’s about lack. When you see things through the lens of scarcity, you see a finite amount of money, time and resources.
For example, there are only five good employees out there to hire, and you better get them before the other organizations scoop them up!

Instead, adopt an abundance mindset
The opposite of a scarcity mindset is an abundance mindset. Instead of seeing a finite amount of everything, there is an infinite amount. You have plenty of time to finish the project.

• Instead of thinking you will run out of time, you see how many minutes you have, people to help, and tools to get the job done. You calm your mind down and focus on the task at hand. You’ll be better able to concentrate, make fewer errors and be more effective at completing the job.

You may have watched the movie or read the book the secret. The promotors of that material have, in my mind, glorified the abundance mindset. If you wish it and believe it, it will happen… Voila, there is a new car in your driveway. Hmmm… I don’t think an abundance mindset quite works that way!

Abundance mindset in leadership
When you can come at your leadership challenges with an abundance mindset, you start to see what you do have and what might be possible.

• I will have time to fit in the priority things on my list.
• I know we are strong at advocating for funding for our programs.
• We have ample resumes to review, and if we don’t find what we’re looking for, we have a network of people who will spread the message about our needs.

Do you feel the difference?

An abundance mindset is filled with HOPE
Hope is an emotion, but it’s also a character trait. When you embrace HOPE, you not only (1) believe that tomorrow will be better than today, but you think you have the (2) ability to make that happen. Whatsmore, you know you have (3) multiple pathways to figure it out.
That’s what a true abundance mindset is.

Your mindset is your perspective
Mindset is your lens or the filter through which you see the world. Like we have filters around gender, colour and race through which we see the world, we also have money lenses and mindsets.
The way you think about money changes how you engage with your team, funders and donor when you are having money conversations. It can make you feel confident or doubt yourself and your message!

Understanding your money mindset
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I talked to Jenny Mitchell about your money archetype. Your archetype is a mindset. When you learn HOW you think about money, it will help you understand how other people think about money. That increased awareness will help you engage in those courageous conversations you may have been reluctant to in the past.

Help to shift your mindset
Perhaps you realize that your perspectives have been getting in the way. Maybe you also realize they are so ingrained. It’s hard to shake them off. That’s where practice comes in.

Keep working through The Inner Guidance Cycle to become more mindful of what’s going on in your mind.

• Take time to PAUSE more frequently and let your thoughts catch up with you.
• Then PONDER considering body sensations and feelings as well as thoughts.
• I can feel myself tense up. I’m anxious and worried we will run out of time.
• PIVOT your perspective by asking what DO you want to be feeling instead and what thoughts will help you feel that way.
• I want to feel confident I can get this done on time. I need to talk myself through it. We’ve got this. I can manage in the time I have. I can ask for help.
• Then PROCEED back into action with your new mindset.
  
  

** Learn more about The Inner Guidance Cycle here

It will take time
Don’t worry if you slip back to your old way of thinking. That’s completely normal. That’s why I said you have to practice this. You’ve probably been thinking with a scarcity mindset for a long time. It won’t change overnight.

Keep at it!

More help
For more help understanding The Inner Guidance Cycle grab Mastering Confidence: Discover your leadership potential by awakening your inner guidance system.

For more help understanding your money mindset, tune into this week’s episode # 47 — How your Money Archetype Affects your Leadership & Fundraising with Jenny Mitchell

Final thoughts
Your thoughts can help you ditch survival mode and thrive in both leadership and life. Do the work to become more mindful of your thoughts, and you’ll begin to enjoy impactful leadership!