Jumping from the Gap to the Gain

How Embracing Vulnerability and Choosing Growth Can Work

Hello Leap Year subscribers,

The journey from recognizing our shortcomings to celebrating our progress is transformative. This leap, from focusing on the "gap" to reveling in the "gain," is beautifully encapsulated in a book I recently read, appropriately enough, entitled "The Gap and the Gain." This read is a powerful reminder to shift our perspective from what's lacking to what's been achieved.

The Power of Gratitude: Inspired by the book's insights, I took a significant leap of my own: maintaining a gratitude journal on the daily. This was a step I'd never envisioned for myself, but the practice has been transformative. Then again, the pandemic brought things into my life—yoga and meditation—that weren’t part of my previous purview.

As for the journal, though—each journal entry serves as a gentle reminder of the abundance in life, the gains made, and the growth experienced. It's a daily testament to the importance of celebrating our achievements, no matter how small.

As pointed out in an Audible interview with Dan Sullivan, the creator of the Gap and the Gain concept. He recommends focusing on the Gain and journaling in General. In summary, he espoused—“It’s the tail that keeps wagging the dog, and that’s sure the kind of dog you want and need in your life.”

Although the concept is about progress, it’s not designed for you to put on rose-colored classes and attempt to “seize the day”. No, that’s a bit too romantic. This is indeed realistic.

The Courage to Be Vulnerable: Choosing to be vulnerable is, in many ways, a radical act. It means exposing our true selves, hopes, fears, and imperfections to the world. To be vulnerable is to be authentic, to show up as we indeed are, without masks or pretensions.

But with that authenticity comes the risk of disappointment, especially from those we hold dear. Yet, it's essential to understand that vulnerability is not a one-time act. It's a continuous process, a choice we make over and over and over again. And yes, there will be times when friends and family will let us down. But that’s not the point. It’s about your progress and your gains.

Each disappointment, each setback, is an opportunity for growth. It's a reminder that human connections are complex, ever-evolving, and while they often bring joy, they can also bring pain.

Did you think this ________ (fill in the blank) journey would be easy? Use whatever entrepreneurial, educational, or societal phrase you’d like. It’s not the ease that will amaze you or others, but rather the persistent and consistent progress that comes with reflective effort about your gains.

Winning Through Learning: In the realm of vulnerability, there's a silver lining to the golden outcomes you seek. When we expose our authentic selves, any setback isn't a loss but a lesson. As the author advises, "We either win or learn."

Every experience, good or bad, adds a layer to our life's lessons, enriching it with new textures, patterns, and accomplishments. By reframing our disappointments as learning experiences, we can navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace.

In Conclusion: The leap from the Gap to the Gain is more than just a change in perspective; it's a shift in your approach to life. It's about recognizing and celebrating our gains, embracing vulnerability, and seeing every challenge as an opportunity for growth.

As you move forward and close out 2023, remember that life's journey is not about avoiding setbacks but learning, growing, and evolving with each step. Before all you overachievers journey into goals for 2024, take a moment to think about how much you’ve gained in 2023. Feel free to share with the community below.

Or, if you’d like to know more about the gap and the gain, click here.

Until next time,

Jim