Every person sees the future through one of two lenses. These lenses determine how one approaches their decisions. Here are the two lenses:

1. Scarcity – the belief that there is a short supply
2. Abundance – the belief that there is more than enough

Your outlook will determine your opportunities. I have yet to meet someone who is thriving into the future with a scarcity mindset. Although, I commonly meet people stuck in their challenges that exude scarcity.

Behavior is an overflow of belief. The moment you believe the future is scarce is the moment you’ll lose motivation to get there. However, the moment you believe the future is abundant is the moment you’ll begin to create the drive that will lead you to greater success. The future belongs to the abundantly optimistic, while the present is inundated with the scarcest pessimists. Scarcity keeps you weighted down in apathy, while abundance keeps you soaring in enthusiasm. The great poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Here’s how to become more abundantly optimistic:

1) See Setbacks As Setups

Challenges are just stepping stones to growth. When you change your view from obstacles to opportunities you’ll begin to see solutions. Negative people only see problems, while successful people see potential. What appears to be a setback can actually be a setup for something amazing. Abundance always believes there is purpose hiding behind problems.

2) See Less As More

Don’t be afraid of loss. In fact, sometimes the only way to add is by subtracting. Those that fear losing and having less are trapped in their own fear. My mentor John C. Maxwell taught me early on that you have to give up in order to go up. If you want to go higher you have to be willing to let some things go. Scarcity always tries to hold on and never let go of what you’ve got. But abundance is willing to let go of what you’ve got in order to get what you ain’t got! Less is more if you believe in an abundant future.

3) See What Could Be as What Is

Too many people wait until they’ve got something before they do something. They wait for title and position before they lead with influence and confidence. They wait to have lots of money before they start investing with what they’ve got. They wait for others to befriend them before they open up and be a friend. Basically too many people are putting off living life until they “arrive.” The problem is you don’t get to a greater future until you start living like it now. I always say, “Everyday is an audition for the person you want to become.” See what could be and live like it is. Then you will begin to live more abundantly.