Scarcity or Enough?
- jgrom6
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
As I return to the office after vacation at the lake and a short week due to the 4th of July holiday, I found myself right back to thinking about behavior change and how our minds work which is a big part of my day job.
I noticed that Michael Easter was back on the podcast circuit. Previously, I heard him talk about his book, The Comfort Crisis, where he explored how we benefit from doing hard things instead of always seeking what’s easy or convenient.
This time, he was discussing his more recent books, The Scarcity Brain and Walk With Weight.
While I haven’t jumped on the rucking or weighted vest bandwagon yet, I think it’s only a matter of time - Heather is already leading the way in our household. The benefits sound tremendous!
The Scarcity Brain is the topic that has really stuck with me. It explores how our brains are wired around the reality that, for most of human history, survival mattered more than thriving.
Because of that, we’re naturally sensitive to threats, losses, uncertainty, social exclusion, and resource shortages. (Side note: slot machines are intentionally designed to exploit these sensitivities.)
These instincts can show up in everyday life in surprising ways. We constantly check our devices - for me, I’m embarrassed to admit it’s about 120 times a day. We may be physically present but mentally somewhere else, multitasking during meetings or thinking about what needs to be done next. I know I catch myself doing this. We also tend to believe that achievement simply means moving the goalposts, chasing the next milestone, and comparing ourselves to others. Guilty of that one, too.
Enough is a skill.
One of the recurring themes is learning to recognize when you already have enough.
Enough time to be present with loved ones.
Enough work for today.
Enough achievement before chasing the next milestone.
Enough value in who you are, not just what you produce.
For me, “enough” doesn’t mean giving up on my goals or lowering my standards. It simply means pausing before getting caught in the Scarcity Brain cycle and asking myself one simple question:
Am I giving my attention to what matters most? Are you?
Learn In The Flow Of Life
Jason
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