Look back on the preceding months and take the a few minutes to evaluate how they went. Did you accomplish what you set out to do? What worked and what didn’t? What do you need to change? How can your life be better?

In talking with people, and while coaching, one of the things I've noticed is that individuals tend to focus on either the positive or the negative. Some talk about and appreciate what they have in life and think about what they need and want in the future. Others talk about what they don’t have. For example, I was talking with a woman recently, and she was sharing where she was in her life. What I heard was, “I’m not where I want to be. This is not where I thought I’d be at this time of my life.” I could hear in her voice how unhappy she was and I could feel the negative energy coming from her.

Now, not to say that we don’t all have bad days, or that we don’t need to unload about what’s going on with us. After all, that’s one of the functions of a coach. However, the question is, once you get the frustration off your chest, do you then focus on how to change the situation? Do you focus on what’s working, where you are going, and what’s possible instead of impossible? Or do you continue to focus on what you don’t have? I think of this as the difference between abundance thinking and scarcity thinking.

Abundance thinkers focus on what is possible and appreciate what they have while reaching for what they want in life. Scarcity thinkers focus on what they don’t have (or don't have enough of), what they might lose, and what hasn’t worked. Which are you?

I find that abundance thinkers are much happier and more positive. They appreciate all the wonderful things they have in their lives. They identify areas that need improvement, figure out the changes required and focus on making them happen.

If you keep focusing on what’s not working, what you don’t have, or the way you wish things could be, how are you ever going to make change happen? It’s like looking backwards all of the time instead of focusing your energy on the future. Abundance thinkers focus on the possibilities and scarcity thinkers think about how it’s never going to happen. Which focus will allow you to change your situation?

Take time to reflect on how you think. Ask yourself if your method is working. If it isn't, wouldn't now be a good time to change?

About the Author

Debra Pestrak is an award-winning motivational speaker, trainer, and personal coach who assists clients, including Fortune 500® companies, in areas such as dealing with corporate culture change, increased sales performance, improved customer service and personal development. Debra is the author of Playing with the Big Boys. You may contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her Internet site.