When it comes to making money or finding a job or being a blogger, some people have a mentality that can create unnecessary fear. That fear is that the pie is small, or you cannot find a job because there are so many others doing what you want to do. This is also known as the scarcity logic. I see people think like this constantly. It’s negative, and not a good place to be in. Nothing gets done, and it makes you look like you gave up.
I consult with clients who have to be coached away from the dangerous pull of scarcity logic. The pie is larger than you think it is, and I’m hoping to free your mind if you’re reading this post and have been thinking like this.
The Pie is Larger Than You Think It Is
The pie can be the world as you see it right now, specifically what you’re focused on doing in it, whether getting a job or creating your own business. Our world is filled with billions of people, and also even more things that each person can choose to make of their own life. You, as an individual see this and have these choices. You also, as an adult have basic needs to be filled, like a roof over your head, food, basic utilities, clothes, and maybe even taking care of your family.
However, a lot of times, depending on where you live, and what you want to do, those positions that you want, in order to be happy or to support your basic needs, may seem limited. I see and hear it all the time.
“I can’t make any money because no one is contacting me. I don’t know what to do.”
“There’s no more jobs. Everyone’s doing what I want to do. I’m qualified for it, but no one’s hiring me. I don’t know what to do.”
Because of technology and the Internet, you also have access to gaining a job online. You can even create your own job. Sure, it takes time and lots of hustle, but it can be done.
Scenario:
So… say you create a job, like being a web designer that focuses on designing for local businesses. You will encounter other web designers who are also focused on those same local area. In the beginning, it could be daunting, and you have a hard time gaining traction as a brand.
This whole time, you’ve been struggling, you’ve also been comparing your success to the others. You’ve decided that it’s really tough to snag those projects, and there’s too much competition. You’ve cut your rates. You’ve bartered your time away instead of get to the bottom of your problem. You feel cornered without a solution in sight. You’ve locked yourself into the mentality that the number of people you could do business with is extremely limited. That’s the scarcity logic speaking to you.
Solution to the Scarcity Logic
First, you’ve got to start thinking to yourself, and maybe making the following a mantra:
The Pie is Big
Once you’ve gotten that in your head, you can now tackle the next problems that have fuels the scarcity logic.
1. Your potential reach is a lot larger than you think. You just need to do the work to build a list of potential clients you want to contact and then do it. Sometimes if you’ve become a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, or similar organization, they will provide you a list of businesses that are members.
2. Consider spreading the net of your reach if you believe it to be too small. Spread to surrounding cities, or within a radius, especially if you’re targeting local business. Create content to reflect that change so they turn up in the search results.
3. Stop comparing the success of others to your own. Each individual and business won’t have the same exact goals, nor the same pace at achieving success. Go at your own pace, and don’t worry about anyone else.
Rather than comparing, think about seeing if you can collaborate with others, or build a partnership. Perhaps you have a skill that another place needs? Collaboration is a great way to make friends, learn from each other, and in the end, make some money.
Have you been a victim of scarcity logic? If so, what’s been holding you back? For those who have had this happen, and have overcome it, any advice you’d like to share?
Hi Nile Madam,
This article is very motivative for me.
I too have self-limiting thoughts, I compare myself with a lot of other people.
This is because my parents and my neighbours use to do so, They are always like comparing me with other.
I hate such activities, which hurts me a lot with comparing.
And now that same habit came to me and am just comparing myself with other success people and wasting my time without doing anything.
I compare myself with other successful people and think like I can’t do that and live the way they can.
I still have this mental illness, I use to cry a lot because of this unhealthy practices.
Even yesterday night I don’t have a good sleep because of thinking like this.
Anyway, thank you for sharing this article.
Personally, I’ll be happy if you come up with these type of healthy topics which make people get rid of such problems.
And I need to tell you that your 3rd point at the bottom was great. I’ll try to stop comparing myself with others.
I really like your motivated blog. Yes, it is difficult to push yourself but the confidence which you have need to feel in your work, that can only do by you.
Thanks Tanishka! It is. The Internet though, even for the introvert, has made it much easier to put yourself out there.
DAMN AMAZING!
You really think out of the box, Nile.
This is my first visit to your blog and reading this superb article made by day.
What a topic you have chosen, I really appreciate.
We should always think big, and never be afraid of the competition.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks! I’ve been wanting to write about it for a while. It is sad and sometimes irks me when people give up. There’s so much out there.
Hi Nile Flores,
I peiodically visit in this website. the info i got from here is very supportive for me. look like in this blog or post you share great article for us. All these very supportive for me. No way its much better for all visitors. Keep it up share much more info look like this post.
Thanks.
I really like this post. I think it is a great idea to think of how big the pie is and how happy you can be with a tiny slice of a huge pie.
> Rather than comparing, think about seeing if you can collaborate with others, or build a partnership.
I totally agree. Finding people to collaborate is wonderful. Of course, they need to be the right fit with you. But this is such a great strategy. You don’t need to do everything yourself, find some people to collaborate with where you each add value to the other.
One word about this article: “impressive”
Thank you and amen!
I do believe there is enough for everyone.
People have such a limited mind set, and I applaud you for about writing this.
I write a baking blog and have tried to reach out to people yet with no real effect.
Happy to have come across your blog. I am trying something new that I am
unfamiliar with, and it’s funny how quickly my mind can go to “scarcity.”
When I was was working in a field that I was very competent and familiar with, it didn’t matter
that there were only two customers in the building. I would repeat my affirmations — that there is
more than enough for everyone and that I had everything I needed right now. This has ALWAYS
proved to be true, and I made a lot of money without competition, jealously, or throwing out my principles.
Great article and reading this has definitely helped get me back on track.
Thank you!
Thanks for addressing such an extremely critical subject Nile!
And what you share is so true, because far too many,otherwise
incredibly talented individuals, seem to approach, both their life and business.
Thanks so much for addressing an evergreen subject!
I love that you said this part.
“1. Your potential reach is a lot larger than you think…”
I really believe that people can be their worst critic and never really realize how large their network actually is.. Learn to tap into it and you can flourish!
Thanks!
Awesome article Nile.
Once we are able to get traction in our local area, we have to be mentally ready to expand our clientele in surrounding areas. Scale up is the key.
This is a really motivational post and I could really benefit from the solution that you’ve provided for the scarcity logic! Thank you so much!!