What is abundance?

The literal meaning of the word is a large quantity, or a situation in which there is more than enough. At least according to the dictionary.

As for an abundance mindset, there is no standard definition as it can refer to so many different things.

In general, a person with an abundance mindset knows there is more; sees more opportunities; and wants more (though there is gratitude in their life no matter where they are).

An abundance mindset is nothing more than a positive state of mind, and a way of thinking. You can shift from a scarcity, negative mindset to an abundant one by simply changing the way you think.

For example, by challenging your limiting beliefs, or by replacing the word “cannot” with “can”; or “impossible” with “possible”.

Those with an abundance mindset tend to have a much healthier relationship with money, friends and partners, and life’s challenges.

Scarcity vs abundance mindset

One of the easiest ways to understand abundance is to look at the opposite — what we call a scarcity mindset.

Here is a table with all the main differences that come to mind.

ScarcityAbundance
I can’tI can
StagnationGrowth
PessimismOptimism
Past orientedFuture oriented
ControlLet go
Never enoughPlenty
JealousyConfidence
FearExcitement
Scarcity vs abundance

Best abundance mindset quotes

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

Michelangelo

Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack of abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality.

Jen Sincero

Abundance is an expansion of energy. Abundance is a form of gratitude, generosity, modesty, a bow toward others. What we can give, what we can share, rather than what we can take.

Terry Tempest Williams

You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety.

Abraham Maslow

Here is the thing about luck: you don’t know if it’s good or bad until you have some perspective.

Alice Hoffman

When people change to a growth mindset, they change from a “judge and be judged” framework to a “learn and help learn” framework.

Carol Dweck

People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me.

Stephen Covey

When a great moment knocks on the door of your life, it is often no louder than the beating of your heart, and it is very easy to miss it.

Boris Pasternak

The first step on the road of prosperity resides in mindfulness — in being aware of our current position so we can genuinely assess whether we want to continue along the path we are on or branch out in new directions.

Gudni Gunnarsson

If you’re a giver, success will find you. If you’re a taker, success will elude you. Perform a quick, honest assessment of yourself, right now.

John Lee Dumas

Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love. It will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.

Steve Maraboli

The abundant life does not come to those who have had a lot of obstacles removed from their path by others. It develops from within and is rooted in strong mental and moral fiber.

William Mather Lewis

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

Unknown

One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.

Robert Heinlein

Open your eyes. Whether you presently believe it or not, your life is already abundant. Before you can accept abundance in your life, you have to notice it.

Susan Jeffers

We are all a great deal luckier than we realize: we usually get what we want — or near enough.

Roald Dahl

There is no shortage. And any attention to shortage of something wanted will always produce negative emotion within you because your guidance is letting you know that you have strayed from your broader basic understanding of abundance and wellbeing.

Abraham Hicks

Short abundance mindset quotes

If you want love and abundance in your life, give it away.

Mark Twain

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.

Wayne Dyer

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Nelson Mandela

Becoming is better than being.

Carol Dweck

Not limiting your beliefs opens pathways to infinite potential.

Steven Redhead

Abundance is about being rich — with or without money.

Suze Orman

Being broke is a temporary situation. Being poor is a state of mind.

Michael Todd

The heart that gives, gathers.

Marianne Moore

Eliminate the mindset of “can’t”, because you can do anything.

Tony Horton

Turn obstacles into opportunities and problems into possibilities.

Roy T. Bennett

Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.

Charles Swindoll

Gratitude builds a bridge to abundance.

Roy T. Bennett

We can see, taste, touch, and experience prosperity every day.

Eva Gregory

Your fortune is not something to find but to unfold.

Eric Butterworth

You must find a place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.

Deepak Chopra

No one ever got rich by studying poverty and thinking about poverty.

Wallace Wattles

Success is not an accident. Success is a choice.

Stepehen Curry

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

Milton Berle