Most of us have given lots of thought to what's missing in our lives. Rather than focusing on scarcity, however, have you ever thought about you can consciously create abundance in your life? The process is surprisingly simple.

Step 1: Create space. Clean your closet, clean out your files, fire those buyers you've been showing property to for the last year. An old Chinese proverb says, "You cannot fill a cup that is already full." Before something new and better can come into your life, you must first get rid of the old stuff that is blocking it. For example, there's no room for a shiny new car when there's an old, beat-up junker in the garage. Getting rid of the "junker" creates the space for your "new car" to appear.

Step 2: Don't expect something for nothing. Be clear about what you want to attract into your life and how you would like your good fortune to appear. One of my friends desperately needed money and she prayed for it to appear. It did when she had a car accident and was seriously injured. Nature abhors a vacuum—be clear on what you want to fill it and how.

Step 3: Give something back. No matter how "scarce" things seem, each of us has things that we don’t need or use. Whether it is old clothing, household items, etc. ask yourself, “Is there someone who needs this more than I do?” If so, give it away. If you truly have nothing to give away, read to a sick child, give someone who cannot drive a ride, or visit a shut-in. The old adage “you get what you give” is true. What you will give away will be returned to you - with interest.

Step 4: Be appreciative. Take time each day to be grateful for the abundance that already exists in your life. Even if you have an “abundance” of unpaid bills, remember your creditors had an abundance of faith you would pay them back. We often take our good health, homes, families, and much more for granted. Try keeping a gratitude journal where you acknowledge at least five things per day for which you are grateful.

Step 5: Open your hand. Take a penny and clinch it tightly in your fist. Is there any way for more money to come into your tightly fisted hand? In contrast, if your palm is open, there is plenty room for the penny plus a handful of $100 bills.

Published: October 12, 2000

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Bernice L. Ross, Ph.D. operates RealEstateCoach.com, with her husband and co-trainer, Bryon Van Arsdale. A Professor of Psychology at Los Angeles Pierce College, Bernice also is a faculty member at Coach University and holds the designation of Master Certified Coach. She served as Executive Director of Training from 1993-1997 for Prudential Jon Douglas Company, and also pioneered the first real estate/coaching teleclasses for Continuing Education credit in California. E-mail Bernice at bernice@realestatecoach.com.