Have you ever read a book that completely shifted your perspective? The Gap and The Gain by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan was a game-changer for me. This book introduced me to two powerful ways of thinking that can truly transform your life.
Gap-thinking focuses your thoughts on the “Gap” between where you are now and where you want to be. Gain-thinking focuses on how far you’ve come or the “Gains” you’ve made (micro Gains and macro).
Most people, especially highly ambitious people, tend to be unsatisfied because of how they measure their progress. We all have an “ideal” for ourselves or our situation. It is a moving target that is always out of reach. When we measure ourselves against that ideal, we’re in “the Gap.” However, when we measure ourselves against our previous selves and how far we have come, we’re in “the Gain.”
According to the authors, both thinking styles significantly affect your well-being: Gap-thinking is detrimental to your happiness, self-esteem, and physical health, whereas Gain-thinking improves these aspects of life. In both business and life, mindset is everything. I firmly believe in manifestation, and the energy you put into the world comes back to you in what you attract. I have personally experienced dark times that were preceded by the thoughts and feelings I brought into existence. I have also experienced the exact opposite, which is what accredits my success in life.
The Gap & the Gain, which lives in the neighborhood of manifestation, has changed how I navigate the world and interact with others. My involvement in the Pinnacle Global Network has further enriched my growth journey. Through this network, I’ve encountered invaluable resources, including books like The Gap and the Gain, The Big Leap, and 10x Is Easier Than 2x. All of these books have reshaped my approach to business and relationships.
Staying in the Gain mindset can be challenging. Moments like losing a client, an argument with a loved one, comparing myself with someone else, etc., can take me straight into the Gap. Thankfully, I have a supportive partner in my husband, who shares my understanding of these concepts. He will ask, “Hey, are you in the Gap or the Gain right now?” and I am quickly guided back to a more positive perspective (the Gain).
Life in the Gain is more satisfying. It has you looking at your life’s challenges as opportunities for growth, reframing failures as valuable learning experiences. It leaves us feeling happier, more content, and ultimately more accomplished.
Next time you measure achievement, stop and focus on where you are now compared to where you were. Celebrate that progress and use the positive momentum to make the next Gain.
