What comes to mind when you hear the word “abundance”?

Contrary to gurus on the internet,  having an abundance mindset is more than setting a goal, meditating for a week, and hoping all your dreams come true. Confidence and mindset are part of it, but they come from strategic decision-making and a belief in your ability to succeed.

Unfortunately, strategy and confidence are usually the first things to get pushed aside when sales are slow, costs rise, or a client is lost. As a CEO, I understand the realities:

• Sales sometimes come in slower than expected
• Costs can be higher than planned
• Managing cash flow is a constant focus

When resources are scarce, don’t trade long-term results for short-term savings. This is the exact moment to set goals and invest in growth.

Let’s explore how to strategically embrace an abundance mindset to expand your business.

Clarity, Honesty, and Confidence

The first step is to clarify what you are trying to accomplish and, ultimately, why it matters to you. There are many ways to invest in your business. Before you do, ensure that how you spend your time, energy, and resources aligns with the results you want. Are you aiming for:

• More leads?
• More time for yourself?
• Increased revenue?

Once you’ve defined the results you’re looking for, ask yourself: What changes will occur when you achieve these goals? Will the increased revenue reduce stress? Will you be able to make a new hire? You need to become as specific as possible, which is critical for setting realistic goals. 

Business is not a sprint. If your current revenue is $5,000 a week, a goal to make $2,000 a day by the end of the month is setting yourself up for frustration. When you are honest with yourself about what’s possible and what you’re willing to do to accomplish that goal, you can create an achievable plan. 

With clarity on exactly what you need and a thoughtful plan for achieving it, you can execute with confidence. Time and again, I see smart, driven, talented people who can’t get out of their own way because of their mindset. 

This usually looks like: 

• Not attending an event with opportunities because they are nervous to share their ideas. 
• Turning down an introduction or connection because they are afraid to appear self-serving. 
• Walking into a room unconfidently and with an energy misaligned with their goals. 

If you’ve done the work and your plan is solid, there is no reason it shouldn’t succeed. Be bold and believe that everything is happening at the right time and in alignment with your goals.

Dedicate Time to Work On Your Business

It happens to all of us: we let the day’s fire drills derail us from the tasks and items that truly need our time and attention. To be strategic, you must work on your business, not just in it. 

As the CEO of Kids on the Move, I forecast every decision and goal a year in advance. This not only allows us to reverse-engineer our goals but also evaluate current trends and check whether our actions align with our objectives.

By forecasting your goals and working backward, you can see where you’re on track, where you’re out of alignment, and what adjustments are needed. Part of this process is creating multiple opportunities for success by studying financial data, historical trends, and market insight. In addition, diversify your approach with different product offerings, marketing channels, or income streams. Your business is stronger when your eggs aren’t all in one basket.

Identify Your Levers to Success

Everyone will face barriers and roadblocks. The idea of setbacks or failure can be intimidating and is often enough to stall us from starting in the first place. 

Instead of asking, “What if it doesn’t work out?” ask, “What are the primary levers I need to move to hit my goal?”

Every goal requires specific “levers” to be successful. If you’re trying to sell tickets to an event, you should be asking yourself: 

• What does it look like to pull my marketing or social media lever to sell enough tickets? 
• Partnerships and connections are another lever that can help us succeed in spreading the word. Who do we need, and what do we need from them?  
• What does the attendee experience lever need to look like so people want to attend next year? 

Once you identify your levers, your confidence comes back into play. Your belief should come from your ability to pull these levers without fear.

Be Willing to Pivot

Sometimes the first approach isn’t going to work, and that’s okay! Occasionally, a lever needs to be hit or pulled from a few different angles before it budges. 

The key is to act fast!

Acting quickly when things are off track can prevent minor issues from becoming larger problems. It can be tempting to sit back and “wait and see” if something will turn around, but don’t. It’s better to course correct before there are massive losses. Take a moment to ask what has shifted or what information you might be missing. Even small adjustments can change outcomes. 

While your plan may not be heading in the direction you were hoping for, that doesn’t mean you can’t hit your goal. Remember, you are the creator of your business and your life.

Have an Attitude of Giving

Be the kind of person you want to attract in the world. If you want others to be generous, start by giving in ways you can, whether with your time, your energy, or your resources.

As part of our Hope in Motion campaign, I recently met a young boy with autism in Argentina. His father shared how he had slipped through the cracks of the school system, passing from grade to grade regardless of whether he was keeping up. We were able to purchase him a computer so he could continue learning from home, catch up on skills, and explore his love of computer programming.

While we are currently raising $200 million to develop and build programs that will support families like this, we won’t wait to be the change we want to see in the world. 

Stay present, embrace the moment, and remain open to inspiration. Generosity creates ripples that can transform your business, your community, and your world.

Start Now

Abundance comes from a combination of strategic decisions, careful planning, and a confident mindset, but it always requires action. Much of what you invest in today may not show results for 12 to 18 months, yet every step matters. Start now, whether it’s hosting a holiday gathering for your team to show your appreciation or having an honest conversation and sharing your goals with a supportive peer. 

Even small actions today set the stage for growth and opportunity tomorrow.