'From Lack to Abundance': Laconia woman pens guide dedicated to personal growth mindset

LACONIA — Paula Ferenc loves the idea of personal growth so much, she created a guide for those looking to further their personal development. One could even say she’s “in tune” with an individual’s unique learning style, which varies from person to person.

“From Lack to Abundance,” is a guide intended for “making it happen through mentoring,” whether personally, or for others.

“The information in this guide is for people to notice themselves. To listen to themselves. To see themselves and know for themselves they can support themselves and thrive,” Ferenc said.

The interactive guide focuses on five pillars: Mentoring, Resilience, Growth Mindset & GRIT, Sparks and The Science of Gratitude. Each one offers special insight for growth, and the guide’s 53 pages include links to digital resources, exercises and affirmations, and more.

“Together they form a strong framework for fostering continued learning and achieving meaningful success in your life,” Ferenc said in a phone interview, from sunny Florida. “It helps with maintaining a sense of presence in your day to deal with your life. You know how you can effectively deal with it, instead of putting on bandaids.”

The Mentoring section pays special attention to the one-to-one relationship between a caring, trusted mentor and mentee experiencing real-life challenges. While focusing on that connection, growth is nurtured and supported.

An exercise on a mentoring relationship includes talking points to get to know one another and build trust.

The next section, Resilience, focuses on how to navigate life’s challenges, adversities and crises. “Our brain adapts to what we feed it. How do people build adaptability and resilience, or the growth mindset?” she asked.

This section helps with that. She provided an example of the “Freaky Friday” conundrum, where anxiety ends up provoking emotional strain and stress. The guide provides coping strategies, and explains how the mind works in two modes: Default and Wandering. It’s the wandering mind that needs resilience, she said.

“You can have that moment, but instead of hanging out there with the issue, you are going to look at how you can address it. How do we manage the response to the issue instead of magnifying the issue?” Ferenc asked.

The Growth Mindset and GRIT section states, “a growth mindset is the belief that an individual’s abilities can be developed through effort, additional learning opportunities and persistence.” The guide provides tips to developing a growth mindset, such as trying a 30-day challenge, or journaling.

The fourth pillar is Sparks, which are self-discovered and self-identified, including actions, hobbies and interests that provide energy, joy, purpose and direction in one’s life.

The final pillar, The Science of Gratitude, closes out “From Lack to Abundance,” and outlines the mental health benefits of living a life full of gratitude.

Penning the guide was a huge exploration into herself, Ferenc said, and she experienced several “ah-ha” moments.

“The process revitalized my self-awareness, discovering inner strengths that helped me recognize myself in ways that were not previously seen by me,” she wrote in a press release.

Ferenc is a well-known name in the Lakes Region community. For years, she was an important figure at Belknap House, and prior to that, she taught special education. It was during this time in her life she “discovered the transformative power of individualized learning and creative instruction.”

“2026 really signifies a powerful year for individuals to make some foundational individual growth changes. Have it be a doorway year, instead of looking at typical resolutions,” she said. “What should I change within me to handle the times we’re in? This has the capacity to truly support that exact aspect.”

“From Lack to Abundance” can be found on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

For more information, email paula.ferenc36@gmail.com.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.