Does a Scarcity Mindset Impact Entrepreneurs with ADHD?
– and if it does? What can we do about it?
For an ADHD entrepreneur, a scarcity mindset can significantly impact the bottom line of your business, which, of course, impacts you on the personal side as well! A scarcity mindset can often be that sneaky little voice that pops up just as you’re about to put yourself out there, hop on an important sales call, or take a giant leap forward. A scarcity mindset can make you believe that there’s never enough money or resources. It can have you clinging to every last dollar, keeping clients you hate on your books, and doing things you don’t want to in your business to make money. It often means you avoid raising your prices and charging what your services are really worth.
When you live with a scarcity mindset, you’re constantly on guard, which leads to making decisions out of fear rather than from a place of strategy and confidence. And trust me, that fear-driven approach holds you back from building the thriving business you dream of.
The ADHD + Scarcity Mindset Trap
With ADHD in the mix, a scarcity mindset can hit even harder. Why?: Our ADHD brains can amplify feelings of anxiety, impulsivity, and urgency. If you’re always worried about not having enough, that can translate to impulsive spending (when you have money), avoidance of big opportunities, or holding back on investing in yourself or your business. You might feel like you can’t afford to spend on help, education, or tools that could actually propel you forward, which can keep you stuck in a frustrating loop of doing everything yourself and never quite hitting your potential.
In a scarcity mindset, we make decisions based on survival mode. This mindset keeps you overextended and underpaid – basically, the opposite of what most of us want, and can often lead us down a short path to burnout!
Why Shifting to an Abundance Mindset Matters
What if you could flip the script and embrace an abundance mindset? It’s not about thinking money will magically fall into your lap, but rather believing that there are opportunities and resources out there – that you can find ways to grow without constantly fearing loss or scarcity.
With an abundance mindset, you give yourself permission to focus on growth, impact, and sustainability. You’re not afraid to invest in tools, training, or a coach, because you know these choices can be investments in your long-term success. And with that, you gain confidence to pursue big goals, attract better-aligned clients, and make decisions that fuel your growth.
Steps to Shift from Scarcity to Abundance
Changing mindset doesn’t happen overnight, especially if you’ve been caught in the scarcity cycle for a while. But with these steps, you can start making the shift:
Practice Gratitude Daily: Start by focusing on what you do have right now – it’s an instant way to start feeling abundant. I know it can sound a little cheesy, but it really has a HUGE impact! Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for in your business or your personal life. It could be clients, a new skill you’ve learned, or even something as simple as being able to work for yourself. The more you recognize what you have, the less you’ll fear what you don’t.
Challenge Scarcity Thoughts: When you catch yourself thinking there’s “not enough” – not enough time, money, clients – pause and ask yourself if that’s objectively true or just a feeling. Look for evidence that contradicts the scarcity thought. Maybe you’ve landed clients in the past, so there’s proof that people will hire you again. Reframe each scarcity thought with something factual to ground yourself.
Invest in Small Steps: Take tiny actions that reflect an abundant mindset. This could be buying a helpful course, outsourcing a small task, or setting aside a bit of money for a future investment. Starting small helps build confidence and shows you that investing doesn’t have to mean betting the whole farm.
Set Goals That Align with Abundance: Setting goals helps you focus on possibilities, rather than fears. Make goals around what you want to achieve, not what you fear losing. If one of your goals is to increase your revenue by 20% this year, map out small steps toward that goal, like raising rates, finding new leads, or scaling a service.
Surround Yourself with a Supportive Network: ADHD entrepreneurs especially benefit from having a strong network. Connect with other entrepreneurs who are optimistic, supportive, and aligned with an abundance mindset. This could be through online communities, masterminds, or even casual coffee chats. The people around you influence your mindset more than you realize.
Celebrate Small Wins: ADHD brains often struggle to acknowledge achievements, but doing so can be a powerful shift. Take the time to celebrate your wins, even the small ones. Each time you do, you reinforce the message that good things are happening, which fuels an abundance mindset over time.
The Payoff of Moving to Abundance
Working to shift to an abundance mindset can have a huge ripple effect on your business and life. When you believe in possibility over fear, you become more willing to try new things, connect with new clients, and push through challenges. You start making decisions with long-term growth in mind, instead of reacting to immediate worries. The best part? You attract clients, partners, and opportunities that align with your vision and light you up rather than drain you.
At the end of the day, an abundance mindset is a shift from worrying about surviving to believing in thriving. It’s an invitation to see what’s possible, take brave steps, and build a business that not only supports you financially but also fulfills you. As an entrepreneur, choosing abundance is choosing to step out of fear and into your own power. And it’s not to say that you will never worry about things, or have any fears, but it’s all about working to add more positive thoughts to help shove the negative ones out of the way a little more!
