Culturally we are encouraged to look at life from a scarcity mindset. I have heard it from my parents, from school, in sports, from media ads, and from my peers. I have been told…
- Money doesn’t grow on trees.
- Clean your plate, there are those who are starving.
- You need to buy this now before there are no more left.
- Climate change will take away life as we know it and that’s bad.
- In competition if you are not the winner – you are the loser.
Looking at these statements, they appear to be self-serving. Not always in my best interest. I find this way of thinking creates anxiety and a sense of desperation. It encourages me to look at what I might lose and to compare myself to others. If I focus on this it can leave me feeling inadequate. It sucks my energy. There is always someone out there that is better, better looking, richer, more talented, etc. than me.
In business we can take action to change our mindset from scarcity to abundance in many ways. Here are ones that I work on…
Not every prospect is my ideal customer. When starting a business there is the initial panic of finding the first sale. Instead of taking any one that knocks on my door, we work to pick the right prospect for our business. The right prospect is:
- The one that will value your product or service.
- The one that we can provide the most value to and who is willing and able to pay the most.
Not picking the right customer can consumes our time, it will suck our energy and cost more than we can earn to meet their needs. In some situations, it can harm our reputation and future potential. I have learned to avoid those we cannot best serve.
Never accept the “I win, you lose”. I look for an opportunity for both parties to win. Can we provide the value that we want to deliver? If not, that may mean not working with every prospect. In an “I win, you lose” situation there is usually a one-time sale. We work to create repeat business. To do that I feel it is crucial for both sides to win.
The more I have, the more I can share. Focus on giving more than taking. At FOCUS CPA we have an in-depth knowledge of taxes, accounting and small business challenges. By sharing that through the newsletter we can provide value and build long term relationships.
Stop judging. Accept clients or customers right where they are. In our business accounting is not everyone’s “thing”. In most cases it’s not. We work hard to adapt our services to where they are at. First accurate financial statements, then financial stability and tax planning. It provides an opportunity for us to make a very positive impact.
We are not better than those we serve. Everyone and every business have their own unique strength. Our way is not the only way. They may deliver a great product or service and struggle to organize their financial records. They may define success differently than we do. It may to pass on the business, to take care of parents, to retire early, to have the flexibility to raise a family, etc. We work to listen and help them grow to reach their potential and to reach their success.
An abundance mindset feels like going against the crowd. I have learned to be the best, means not following the crowd and rise above being average.
Mary Guldan-Lindstrom, CPA
