Why you never have enough

Imagine this:

You are at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

The food is unlimited.

Yet you fill your plate, worrying you might miss out.

You eat in a hurry in case the food runs out.

That’s strange.

Even when there’s plenty, you act like it’s about to run out.

This isn’t just about food—it is how most people live their lives.

You never have enough:

• Time

• Skills

• Money

• Pleasure

• Happiness

When you see someone else doing ‘better than you’,

• You play the comparison game.

• You become jealous.

But why?

Let’s dive in.

Where did it all start?

Scarcity thinking isn’t just a mindset.

It is deeply wired into your brain by evolution.

Thousands of years ago, this mindset kept our early ancestors alive.

They lived in an environment of true scarcity.

Food, shelter, and safety were never guaranteed.

Their brains evolved to prioritize short-term survival over long-term planning.

It made sense back then: hoard resources today or risk starvation tomorrow.

Fast forward to today, and the same wiring persists.

Even though our circumstances have changed.

Now, instead of helping us survive…

this bias keeps us trapped in cycles of anxiety, poor decision-making, and dissatisfaction.

How is this impacting you?

Scarcity bias shows up in ways you might not even realize:

1. With time: Constantly feeling like there’s never enough time leads to stress and rushing, even when better planning could solve the problem.
   

2. With money: Fear of losing money or not having “enough” often results in hoarding, underinvesting, or avoiding risks that could lead to growth.
   

3. With relationships: Clinging to people or relationships out of fear of being alone can prevent you from meaningful relationships.

Here is the irony:

Scarcity thinking creates the very outcomes you fear. 

When you operate from a place of “never enough”, you miss opportunities for abundance.

So, how do you break free from this?

Let’s find out.

How to overcome scarcity bias?

By shifting from scarcity to abundance through awareness and strategic action.

1. Develop Awareness 

   • Pay attention to thoughts like “I’ll never have enough time/money/resources.”. 

   • Remember that these feelings are rooted in outdated survival mechanisms, not your current reality. The times have changed.
     

2. Reframe Scarcity as Opportunity 

   • Instead of focusing on what’s lacking, ask yourself: “What resources do I already have, and how can I use them effectively?”.

   • Instead of saying “I cannot afford it”, say “How can I make myself afford it?”.

   • Instead of saying “I do not have time for growth”, say “What low-value activities can I eliminate or delegate?”.

     (You can read more about it in my book: The Wealth Launchpad)
     

3. Adopt an Abundance Mindset 

   • Practice gratitude daily. Reflect on what you have rather than what you lack.

   • It does not mean you get complacent. It is about being grateful for what you have while striving for more.
      

4. Plan Strategically 

   • Plan your finances and time.

   • Stay away from people and situations that pull you down.

   • A clear plan helps you see that you have more control than you realize.
     

5. Invest in Growth 

   • Take calculated risks aligned with your long-term goals.

   • Focus on earning and investing, and not on saving and expenses.

   • Work with mentors/coaches to upgrade your mindset, skills and habits.

Schedule a one-to-one conversation with me whenever you feel a need for personalised guidance with the points above.

What you learnt so far

1. Scarcity bias limits your potential and doesn’t let you thrive.

2. It has its roots in the process of human evolution.

3. It might have been useful for our early ancestors, but today, it holds you back from living a life of freedom, growth, and meaning.

4. Awareness and strategic actions are the ways to come out of it.

5. Focus on scarcity, and you’ll feel stuck. Focus on growth and abundance, and you’ll start noticing opportunities everywhere.

What’s one area of your life where scarcity thinking has held you back?

Hit reply—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Until next week,

Gautam