Happy Sunday Everyone:
Divisional book club is a redo for me, but a worthy one, The Gap and the Gain. I’ve read it 2 other times but proof positive why we need to go back to some of the great books that can have an impact on how we see the world. If I had to explain it as simply as possible, the gap is the distance between where you are and where you want to be, the gain is the distance between where you started and where you are today. You might let that comment sit for a minute. I say this as Kim was questioning it making sense, and she’s smarter than me. The message is most people live in the gap (including me), and where it’s at is living in the gain.
Our team just wrapped up chapter 4, “Always Measure Backward”. You know how easy it is to look at where you are today and not be happy about it? Striving to be further along than you are, wishing you had made a certain choice at a certain junction that you didn’t, hoping for something more, getting that anxiety that you’re behind where you should be, where you could be. I’m hopeful someone is saying “yep”, or perhaps I’m the only nut job out there, new name “the king of gap thinking”. If you want to find a level of confidence, presence, and peace, consider where you’ve come from. Thinking of where I was 10 years ago, 3 years ago, 1 year ago, and today. When I do that, I can look at milestones that I can’t help but say “well done”. Not in general, but in the individual milestones of my life. Doesn’t mean it’s all roses either, but there is way more gain to celebrate than gap to regret.
I spent Thursday and Friday considering what I had accomplished throughout the day, with intention, and it felt good. Might sound strange but they were micro milestones, recognizing that progress was being made. Looking back on micro milestones creates a compounding effect. I could literally feel myself gaining momentum by looking back at these little gains. I’m realizing as I type this that a good life is built on mini milestones. More specifically, being present enough to notice and appreciate them.
This being my third read of the book, I know the concept might not land as an immediate “wow”. But sit with it for a day or two and consider your own micro wins, or better yet, go back a few years and consider what you’ve accomplished. You might be further along than you think.
Have a great week.
Hunter