14 Subtle Signs of Scarcity Mindset
“Focus on abundance” and “don’t focus on scarcity” is such vague advice.
Yes, it’s important.
Until you drop the scarcity mindset and embody abundance, you trap yourself in loops of suffering.
But here’s the thing.
Scarcity mindset is subtle, not blatant.
And it manifests in so many sneaky ways that most people don’t even notice.
That’s what this newsletter is about.
Chances are, you fall into some of these patterns daily without realizing it (or without realizing how much it limits you).
Here they are…
1) Rushing
Moving through the day like you're always late (even when you're not). This isn’t just being busy. It’s acting like there's never enough time.
Inner voice:
“If I don’t get this done fast, I’ll fall behind.”
“There’s no time to waste. I’ll rest later.”
2) Being Too Serious
Taking yourself too seriously is an indicator of scarcity mindset. Why? If you feel abundant, fulfilled, and free, you ease up! Lightheartedness is the energy of abundance and freedom. Being serious is the energy of scarcity and constriction.
Inner voice:
"I SHOULD be doing this.”
"I need to come across as professional and competent.”
3) Impatience
Feeling irritated when progress feels slow, whether it’s with money, results, other people, or yourself. The discomfort isn’t just about the delay. It’s the belief that something bad might happen if it doesn’t happen soon.
Inner voice:
“Why is this taking so long? It shouldn’t be this hard.”
“If it hasn’t happened yet, maybe it never will.”
4) Overthinking
Mentally rehearsing, reworking, or obsessing over choices. It’s a hidden fear that one wrong move will cost you everything, so you try to think your way into safety.
Inner voice:
“What if I make the wrong decision?”
“I just need to figure this out first… then I can move forward.”
5) Putting Pressure on Yourself
Driving yourself with harsh expectations or unrealistic standards. This isn’t ambition. It’s the fear that you must prove your worth or earn your place constantly.
Inner voice:
“If I don’t push myself, I’ll never make it.”
“I can’t let myself mess this up.”
6) Overworking & Addiction to Doing
Filling every moment with doing. Even rest feels earned only after you’ve “produced enough.” You equate being productive with being safe or secure.
Inner voice:
“I just need to finish this one more thing.”
“I can relax once everything is handled.”
7) Rigidity/Control
Clinging tightly to plans, routines, or how things should go. Flexibility feels threatening because it opens the door to the unknown. And scarcity mindset equates the unknown with danger, loss, or getting off track.
Inner voice:
“This is the way it has to be.”
“If I let go of control, everything could fall apart.”
8) Difficulty receiving
Not just gifts or help. It can be difficulty receiving compliments, feedback, attention, etc.
Inner voice:
“I have to earn everything. Nothing is freely given.”
“I don’t deserve that.”
9) Comparison with a tinge of urgency
The scarcity isn't just the envy of others succeeding. It’s the fear there’s not enough time or opportunity left for you.
Inner voice:
“I’m behind. I should be there by now.”
“I’m going to be too late.”
10) Second-guessing decisions after making them
This is both indecisiveness and post-decision regret/anxiety. When you feel abundant, you don’t have enough fear to be indecisive or second-guess yourself.
Inner voice:
“There’s only one shot. One right way.”
“Did I make the wrong choice? What if I missed a better option?”
11) Under-celebrating progress
You don’t acknowledge your wins. Scarcity shrinks satisfaction, so you stay in a loop of striving without fulfillment.
Inner voice:
“It’s not enough yet.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
12) De-prioritizing rest or joy because it’s “not productive”
Scarcity can masquerade as discipline. But it’s rooted in the fear that slowing down equals falling behind.
Inner voice:
“I’ll rest after I’m successful.”
“I can’t afford to slow down yet.”
13) Chronic urgency in communication
Feeling the need to respond to everything quickly or apologize for delays.
Inner voice:
“If I’m not quick, I’ll be forgotten or judged.”
“I need to people please to prove my value.”
14) Being Emotionally Dependent on Results
Tying your mood, self-worth, or sense of safety to whether things are “working.” The outcome becomes your emotional anchor, so when things go well, you feel high. And when they don’t, you spiral out. This desperation energy subtly repels the very results you’re chasing because it signals: “I need this to feel okay.”
Inner voice quote:
“If this doesn’t work, what does that say about me?”
“I NEED this to happen. I’ve put everything into it.”
Now What?
Bring awareness to any of these patterns within you.
From this awareness, practice the art of letting go (the art of detachment). Simply watch these patterns pass through your awareness without feeding them.
That last one is key (being emotionally dependent on results). If you can release your emotional dependency on results, you’ll see your scarcity mindset start unraveling.
So… Which one of these forms of scarcity mindset do you fall into most?
Let me know.
It’s time to shift to abundance, from the inside out.
With gratitude,
Stephen Parato
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