In a world that constantly pushes for more, more success, more money, more recognition, it’s easy to fall into a mindset of entitlement. You start believing you deserve certain things just because you’ve worked hard, or worse, because others have them.

However, this sense of entitlement often leads to dissatisfaction and an ongoing feeling that no matter what you get, it’s never enough.

The antidote? Gratitude.

Cultivating gratitude can shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance, and it’s a transformative journey that changes how you see life, your goals, and even your relationships.

Understanding Scarcity and Abundance Mindsets

Before diving into the contrast between gratitude and entitlement, it’s important to understand the two core mindsets at play: scarcity and abundance.

A scarcity mindset is the belief that there’s never enough—whether it’s money, time, success, or opportunities. People operating from a scarcity mindset often feel competitive and anxious. They are driven by fear: fear of losing out, fear of not having enough, and fear of being left behind.

An abundance mindset, on the other hand, operates from the belief that there’s enough for everyone. This mindset thrives on the idea of possibility, opportunity, and generosity. People with an abundance mindset aren’t driven by fear; they trust that life will provide, and they focus on what they have rather than what they lack.

The Psychological Impact of Entitlement

Entitlement is deeply rooted in the scarcity mindset. When you feel entitled, you’re convinced that there’s a finite amount of resources or success out there, and that you are owed a larger portion of it. This belief can create feelings of resentment, jealousy, and frustration.

For instance, if you don’t get the promotion you thought you deserved, an entitled mindset will focus on what went wrong or who to blame rather than recognizing the value of the experience or the lessons learned.

Research in psychology suggests that entitlement leads to a lower sense of well-being. A 2018 study published in Psychological Bulletin found that entitlement is linked to chronic dissatisfaction and interpersonal conflicts. The study concluded that people who feel entitled tend to experience negative emotions, such as anger and frustration, more frequently than those who do not.

On the flip side, gratitude fosters emotional resilience and contentment. According to a study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology, individuals who regularly practice gratitude have higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.

The practice of gratitude encourages people to focus on what they have rather than what they lack, which directly challenges the scarcity mindset.