They say you are what you think. “They” because that quote is attributed to several people from Buddha to Emerson to Oprah. Today, Kristin Herman said something similar. In our Navigate Leadership conversation, Kristin  said, “What you think about expands.” (You can see the full interview here.)

We talked for about 45 minutes about living in alignment with values and how that takes knowing one’s values—and knowing one’s value.

Our conversation reminded me of something I did this morning, and it made me wonder whether I have a scarcity mindset.

This morning, as the photo shows, I scrolled the toothpaste tube with my toothbrush to move the toothpaste toward the top of the tube. The intention was to gain access to all of the toothpaste over these next few days before opening a new tube of toothpaste.

Fingers crossed others have done the same. Anyone?!

Uh oh! Do I have a scarcity mindset?! Does everyone who squeezes the last drop of toothpaste have a scarcity mindset? Are we all doomed to pitiful lives of limited opportunities?

Nah. I don’t think our miserly use of toothpaste indicates we’re doomed.

There is a difference between the scarcity mindset and being reasonable and responsible with one’s resources. Using the full toothpaste is reasonable and responsible.

On the other hand, last week, when too much toothpaste accidentally came out, and I tried to get it back into the tube, that was unreasonable.

Taking care of one’s resources, including time, energy, and emotional capacity, is reasonable and responsible. Setting boundaries is not part of the scarcity mindset.

For a company, resource allocation is important too. Budgets, financial planning, talent and team makeup, goal setting, and time commitments matter to successful companies. That doesn’t mean they are doomed. It means they are being reasonable and responsible.

Understanding all of that enables leaders to encourage innovation and to take smart risks. It allows some leaders to move forward faster when the risks don’t pan out exactly as intended, while others wallow and damage their teams and careers.

Pay attention to your actions and words over the next few days.

When you catch yourself doing things like the toothpaste tube scroll activity, check yourself. Are you behaving with an abundance or scarcity mindset? Reflect to see which you live by and how it’s influencing those around you. How is it working for you?

“They” say it will impact the success of your life. They say some other good stuff too. Ponder some wise words below.