Wednesday, September 25, 2024

The Gaps and the Gains of Life

The Gap and the Gain
is a simple and effective approach to reframing personal growth more positively while emphasizing how an individual should measure progress. The authors of the book, Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, introduce the concept of focusing on "the gain" (what we've achieved) instead of dwelling on "the gap" (what remains undone). Following this mindset shift sharply increases happiness, motivation, and productivity.

For myself, the "gap" is my default tendency to compare myself to an ideal (often that is perfectionism), which often leads to frustration and disappointment. On the other hand, the "gain" reframes how it is more productive to reflect on how far we've come, fostering a sense of accomplishment and gratitude.

While one of the book's strengths is its straightforward and relatable language, making the psychological concepts accessible to a broad audience, my frustration (perhaps my “gap”?) is that the ideas are somewhat repetitive, as the central concept is reiterated throughout the book. The examples and case studies are easy to understand and apply to various aspects of life, whether personal, professional, or relational. Overall, The Gap and the Gain is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their mindset, offering actionable insights for living a more fulfilled and productive life.

As a pre-New Years resolution, I’m adopting a “gain” framework.  But doing it won't come easy because psychologists call this challenge automaticity. It is easy to forget because “your brain has evolved to forget gains” as humans because we quickly adapt to the new normal very easily. Hence, the most practical strategy for adopting “the gain” is journaling and specific goal-setting techniques that prioritize progress over perfection.


No comments: