In the entrepreneurial world, the discussion around limited beliefs and scarcity mindset often becomes a discussion solely about the individual.
In doing so, the conversation often perpetuates the “rugged individualism” of western ideologies. These thought systems that prevent us from talking about the systems in place that create the limited beliefs in the first place and the collective responsibility we all have to change these narratives.
A shift in how we discuss these issues is vital because for BIPOC* embarking on a path of entrepreneurship may at times bring up intergenerational trauma.
Coping with that trauma is less about personal development (though this definitely happens in the process) and more about healing intergenerational trauma. It is not just about a growth hack to reach peak potential but about healing ourselves and by extension our communities and the world at large.
This is why I take issue with a lot of the conversations about mindset work. Many folks don’t take the time to acknowledge the unique experiences of BIPOC (at their different intersections).
And, frankly, this often leads to harmful deficit stories that place the onus on the individual.
Yes, I believe in accountability but for me that includes accountability at different levels: individual, communal, and systemic.
Yet, the conversations around topics like scarcity mindset often make it seem like the problem is only with the individual (i.e. there’s a deficit) rather than acknowledging that these thoughts are consequences of specific lived experiences.
I know we don’t all have the same experience, but many BIPOC around the world have dealt with issues like financial, food, or housing instability among other issues.
So, for example, if someone who is first-gen, child of immigrants from working class who also have secondary stress from learning about their family’s own traumas with war and food scarcity . . .
Well, that’s different than someone also stressing about profits but without the added stress that comes from intergenerational trauma.
Suddenly, some end up having a trauma response (aka fight, flight, freeze, fawn) rather than a healthy, regulated response to stress… and this is without delving into the privilege some individuals have such as access to mental health support or support in some other form.
And look, as a writer, I definitely know the power of reframing our mind, and I’m all for it because I know that can aid in rewiring our brain.
But I also acknowledge that to rewire the brain, we first need to feel safe because a mind on survival mode thinks about surviving not thriving.
This is why I think as service providers it’s important to learn ways to better acknowledge and support clients.
To create spaces where people don’t feel like something is wrong with them because of some scarcity mindset they’re struggling with.
Instead, they can feel heard, seen, and understood, so they feel brave enough to speak up, to advocate for themselves, and to take action.
*BIPOC: I know some take issue with this term, but I use it intentionally. As a U.S.-Mexican, I am aware of the erasure that comes within the latinx/hispanic community. When speaking about a specific community within the BIPOC umbrella term, I opt for specific terms.