I’ve understood the word scarcity for a long time—but I didn’t fully realize how deeply it shaped my thinking until recently.

Recently, Amy and I were in a meeting with another organization about a potential collaboration. The conversation turned to money and profit-sharing. That’s when it happened: I shifted into scarcity. Amy, meanwhile, leaned into abundance.

We said almost the same thing—but from opposite perspectives. I was protective and cautious, thinking in terms of limits and competition. Amy was open, curious, and collaborative. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Why did I default to fear while she stayed rooted in possibility?

It was a wake-up call.

Of course, we’ve had different life experiences that shaped our default settings. But my reaction came from old stories, not the actual moment we were in. And I realized—I’m not the only one.

In the afterschool world, it’s easy to slip into a scarcity mindset. We’re used to doing more with less. The needs are endless, the budgets are tight, and the staffing pool is shallow. Scarcity can start to feel like our only option.

But here’s the truth: a scarcity mindset might be common, but it’s not inevitable. And it’s not the only way.

An abundance mindset can change everything.

1. From Limits to Possibility

Scarcity narrows our vision. It makes us focus on what’s missing instead of what might be possible. But when we shift toward abundance, we open the door to creative thinking, innovation, and growth.

Afterschool programs are some of the most resourceful places I know. When we believe in possibility, we start to see unexpected partnerships, repurpose what we already have, and try things we haven’t tried before.

As Harvard Business Review notes, an abundance mindset fuels innovation and problem-solving. That’s what kids need from us—and what we need from ourselves.

2. Collaboration Over Competition

Scarcity makes us guard our turf. Abundance invites us to share it.

When we’re stuck in scarcity, we see other programs or partners as competition. But when we shift to abundance, we ask different questions: How can we support each other? What do we each bring to the table?

The Stanford Social Innovation Review found that organizations with an abundance mindset build stronger, more effective partnerships. That’s because they focus on shared goals—not on who gets the bigger slice of the pie.

3. A Better Culture for Staff and Youth

You can feel the difference in a program that operates from abundance. The energy is lighter. There’s more creativity, more ownership, and more hope.

When teams believe there’s enough—enough time, enough support, enough opportunity—they show up differently. Staff are more engaged. Young people feel more secure. Everyone is less likely to burn out.  And we show up as our best for kids.

The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science links an abundance-focused culture to higher job satisfaction and deeper investment. That’s what we all want for our teams—and it starts with how we think.

4. Resilience Through Trust

Scarcity prepares for the worst. Abundance prepares for what’s next.

Afterschool programs face real challenges—and they’re not going away anytime soon. But an abundance mindset builds resilience. It helps us adapt, recover, and reimagine. It helps us see roadblocks as learning moments, not dead ends.

Psychology Today explains that when we focus on what’s possible—even in tough times—we bounce back faster and stronger. Abundance isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff. It’s about believing we have what it takes to meet it.

The Bottom Line

Shifting from scarcity to abundance is more than just positive thinking. It’s a practical, powerful shift that can transform how we work, how we lead, and how we show up for kids.

In a field where “not enough” is often the norm, choosing abundance is an act of courage. But it’s one worth taking.

Let’s not just get by. Let’s build something bigger—together.