Look at how far you’ve come
Louis Draper — Summer, New York City, 1961
The gap vs. the gain, developed by entrepreneurial coach Dan Sullivan, is a concept I coach all of my clients on.
Whether or not you've heard of this frame, you're probably familiar with the gap as a way of measuring your progress. The gap represents the distance between where you are and where you want to be—an ideal that has a sneaky way of constantly evolving.
Most people, especially ambitious people, live in the gap. For example:
The person whose progress and accomplishments are nothing to be proud of because they don't measure up against someone else's.
The person who fixates on their own or their partner's / child's / co-worker's flaws and all of the ways they fall short of who they wish they were.
The entrepreneur who's never satisfied because their bar for success moves up year after year.
Living in the gap is oppressive. No matter how much you've achieved, it's never enough. No matter how big your accomplishment or transformation—doubling your income, writing the first half of your book, going on a dream vacation—it quickly becomes a disappointment because there's always more or better.
It's a quick path to unhappiness, overwhelm, and burnout—especially as a high achiever because each accomplishment only raises the bar for next time.
The gain, on the other hand, represents the distance between where you are and where you were. When you live in the gain, you're recognizing and reflecting on all of your actual accomplishments and progress.
Every single person I've worked with has been surprised by how much they've accomplished when we slow down and actually reflect on their gains. They're usually stunned by how much they've done and how much they've grown.
Because here's the thing: You are not the same person that you were last year, last month, last week, or even yesterday.
Reflecting on and appreciating what you've actually already accomplished helps you increase your confidence, motivation, and skill—which, in turn, helps you recreate and accelerate your growth and success.
Plus, seeing and building on your wins is way more fun than overlooking them and feeling like a failure.
Try it. Let's consider one timeframe together: this year so far. Look back at where you were on January 1.
What are you proud of having accomplished?
What do you know now that you didn't know then?
Which of your relationships have deepened or improved over this time period?
How have you grown and evolved?
What challenges have you overcome that seemed impossible at the start of the year?
Looking at your growth, what would your past self be most surprised by?
Take a moment to reflect on your answers. This isn't just a feel-good exercise—it's a powerful practice that can reshape how you view your journey.
When you measure backward instead of forward, success transforms from an endless chase into a foundation for growth. Each achievement becomes a stepping stone rather than a forgotten milestone.
Start celebrating your gains today—you might be amazed by how far you've already come.
Love,
Levina
