Scarcity or Abundance? Neither! By Robert Middleton
I was watching a very interesting show (I think on PBS) last nightabout the mortgage crisis, how it came about, and what theconsequences have been.
The bottom line was very simple: Greed.
It's easy to point the finger at the mortgage companies and theinvestment houses that packaged these mortgages, along withseveral other players in this tragic drama.
But you and I, the American consumer, are equally responsible.
Somewhere we bought into the notion that, "You can have it all!"This led to borrowing on our home equity to pay off other loanswith the belief that the value in our houses would keep onincreasing forever.
Well you know how that worked out!
I succumbed as well. I refinanced my home and bought a condoin Mexico. Now, it's really nice and a great getaway (although wedon't get away much!) but the downside is the $2K plusadditional monthly mortgage payment.
Now I'm doing OK and haven't missed a payment, but I'm alsonoticing that Independent Professionals are tightening their beltsand spending a little less online these days.
Now there are a few ways to react to all of this.
One way is to go into "scarcity mode" where you worry that it's allgoing to fall apart. Then every decision, every action is based onfear which leads to inaction and stagnation.
Another way is to turn on "abundance mode" which it to see everyadversity as an opportunity and to turn on the creative juices andpush harder than ever to advance on any setbacks you may haveexperienced.
Well, scarcity mode definitely doesn't work. I'd recommendworking hard to get past that one as soon as possible.
But I'm not sure abundance mode is the answer either. After all,wasn't this the mode that got us into this mess in the first place?
Isn't abundance just a more polite name for greed?
Think about it. In abundance mode you visualize the money youwill make, all the things you will buy, the home renovations youwill do. It's a very strong driver. And I assure you that themortgage lenders, bankers, and Wall Street firms were very much into that mode for several years.
But with abundance mode, all you're left with is a lot of stuff! Andthen you go into survival because you're afraid of losing that stuff.
Scarcity and abundance are just two sides of the same coin. Perhaps there's a "middle mode" that's a lot more sustainable.
I call it "contribution mode."
When we're in contribution mode we are balanced. We are notthinking first about what we can get for ourselves, but what valuewe can provide for others.
What we offer isn't quick-fixes and smoke and mirror marketingstrategies. We offer services, programs, and products that reallydeliver on their promise. These services help our clients build solidskills they can use for a lifetime. These programs provide a foundation for their careers, relationships, and lives.
Now, I must admit, contribution mode is not very popular. It's notvery sexy. It doesn't promise instant riches. It takes work anddedication and trial and error.
On the other hand, contribution mode is deeply fulfilling andsatisfying. When we're in contribution mode, we're making adifference, we are providing substantial value and we can sleepsoundly at night knowing this.
Not only that, in contribution mode, we build our wealth slowlybut surely. We don't risk everything we have on a long shot. Wedon't live beyond our means. We buy quality products that last along time. We make our priority our loved ones and those who areless fortunate than us.
I invite you to step into contribution mode. The water's fine!
By Robert Middleton of Action Plan Marketing. Please visitRobert's web site at for additional marketing articles and resources on marketing for professional service businesses.
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