AI Mindset Shift: Move From Scarcity To Abundance (3 Simple Steps)

For many people, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) feels like both a revolution and a threat. If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “What is AI going to take from me?” you’re not alone. That’s the scarcity mindset speaking—and it’s time we shift the conversation.

Today, I want to offer a more hopeful, human-centered perspective. Whether you’re a creator, business owner, educator, or just AI-curious, there’s a better way forward. One that focuses less on what we stand to lose and more on what we can create. That’s the abundance mindset. And in the blog post, the video linked here and embedded above, and in my newest podcast episode linked here, I’m going to walk you through three simple steps to help you make that shift, just like I did.

My AI Journey: From Skeptic to Creative Partner

My relationship with AI started in December 2023 during a reunion with my four best friends from high school. Every year since we graduated, we’ve met up to reconnect and play our favorite game—Magic: The Gathering. That year, something new entered the conversation: ChatGPT and generative AI.

At the time, I hadn’t touched it. I knew AI existed but hadn’t realized how mainstream it had become. I dismissed it at first. Like many people, I thought, “Why do I need this? I already use Google for everything.” Skepticism, confusion, and fear kept me at arm’s length.

Eventually, I created an account and tried it out, chatting here and there. But I didn’t dive in. Instead, I shelved it—uncomfortable with the idea of relying on something that felt so unfamiliar. I wasn’t ready to trust AI, and part of me hoped it would just fade away.

But it didn’t.

Rediscovering AI Through Play

Fast forward to March 2025. My professional world had changed significantly in the 12 to 18 months prior. I’d launched new programs, reflected deeply on my goals, and focused on how to create more value for the people I serve—students, clients, team members, and community members at eLearning Partners and Athlete With Asthma.

That’s when I returned to AI—this time with curiosity. I started using ChatGPT again, but this time I asked it a different kind of question. I didn’t focus on productivity or efficiency. Instead, I asked it to run a solo Dungeons & Dragons campaign for me. I wanted to know if this tool could help me play.

And it did. It asked me questions about my character, fighting style, and story direction. It became my dungeon master, my guide, my imagination partner. And something clicked. I wasn’t just using AI to save time—I was using it to create joy.

This shift—to curiosity, to creativity—was the beginning of my mindset transformation. If you’ve been hesitant to embrace AI, start by having fun with it. Think back to the things you loved as a kid, and invite AI into that world.

Step 1: Start With Curiosity and Have Fun

The first step in shifting your AI mindset is to return to curiosity. Let go of the pressure to be “productive” and allow yourself to explore. When was the last time you played make-believe? As a child, maybe you imagined being a knight, an astronaut, or a rock star. You didn’t need a reason. You just played.

AI can bring that spirit back. I’ve used ChatGPT to play solo D&D, to generate fantasy stories, and to help me rediscover the joy of imagination. You can ask it to help you write a poem, build a world, or even simulate a game of chess. The point isn’t to “get results”—it’s to engage your creativity.

And when you do, something powerful happens. You stop seeing AI as a replacement and start seeing it as a partner. You start asking better questions, experimenting more freely, and opening yourself up to new ideas. Curiosity is the gateway to abundance.

Step 2: Don’t Go at It Alone—Let AI Help You

Once you’ve opened the door with curiosity, the next step is practical: let AI help you. Too often, we carry the burden of doing everything ourselves. We believe that to be capable, we have to be self-sufficient. But in a world where we’re constantly bombarded by tasks and decisions, this mindset limits us.

The truth is, AI can be your assistant, strategist, and brainstorm partner—all at once.

Stuck on what to cook for dinner? Ask ChatGPT to create a recipe based on what’s in your fridge. Need a weekly grocery list? It can generate one in seconds. Want to design a custom workout? Tell it your goals, preferences, and limitations. I’ve even used it to optimize my ultra-endurance training based on data from the previous year.

From meal planning to email writing, from SEO blog drafts to business strategy, the possibilities are endless. The key is to stop seeing AI as a crutch and start seeing it as a collaborator. When you let it help you—not replace you—you unlock exponential creative power.

Step 3: Catch the Scarcity Thoughts and Reframe Them

Even as you start using AI more regularly, scarcity mindset can sneak in. You might think:

• “I’ll never keep up with all this technology.”

• “This is going to replace my job.”

• “I’m falling behind.”

These thoughts are normal—but they’re also false. The more you recognize and reframe them, the more empowered you’ll become.

Instead of asking, “What is AI taking away from me?”, ask:

• “What can AI empower me to create?”

• “What can I automate so I can focus on what matters?”

• “How can AI help me serve my clients, students, and family better?”

This is the heart of the abundance mindset. When you focus on what AI adds—not subtracts—you begin to take back control. You stop living in fear and start living with purpose.

I’ve personally seen this shift change the way I approach business, creativity, and even relationships. With AI helping to streamline my workload, I’ve freed up more time for health, play, and presence. Scarcity pulls you down. Abundance lifts you up.

The Takeaway: AI Is What You Make It

Here’s the truth: AI isn’t going away. And while it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or intimidated, you don’t have to stay stuck in fear. You get to choose how you relate to this technology. Will you let it drain your energy—or amplify your gifts?

By shifting from scarcity to abundance, you’ll find that AI becomes less of a threat and more of a gateway to joy, growth, and creative momentum. You’ll start asking better questions, making faster decisions, and creating space for the things that really matter in life—family, health, service, and joy.

So if you’re just starting your AI journey, don’t stress. Get curious. Have fun. Let it help you. And when the fearful thoughts creep in, catch them, reframe them, and step into the creative power of abundance.