The Gap and the Gain

About the Author

Dan Sullivan is a renowned expert in entrepreneurship coaching, with a career spanning over four decades. His insights into human psychology and success have guided countless individuals and businesses toward achieving their goals. Sullivan's approach is practical and transformative, focusing on mindset shifts and strategic thinking. He has developed numerous tools and concepts that help entrepreneurs and high achievers unlock their potential. Dr. Benjamin Hardy, an organizational psychologist, co-authors this book with Sullivan. Dr. Hardy is a prolific writer and speaker, known for his work on motivation, willpower, and personal growth. His collaboration with Sullivan brings a psychological depth to the book, combining practical strategies with a deep understanding of human behavior. Together, they explore the themes of happiness, confidence, and success, offering readers a new way to measure and achieve these qualities in their lives.

Main Idea

"The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success" revolves around a pivotal concept: the distinction between the "Gap" and the "Gain." The "Gap" represents the mindset where individuals measure their progress against an ideal or future state, often leading to dissatisfaction and frustration. This perspective fosters a constant sense of lack, as the ideal is perpetually out of reach. In contrast, the "Gain" focuses on recognizing and appreciating the progress made from a previous state. This shift in perspective allows individuals to celebrate their achievements and growth, fostering a sense of fulfillment and motivation. The book emphasizes the importance of this mindset shift, proposing that happiness and success are achieved by consistently measuring progress backward, rather than comparing oneself to an ever-changing ideal.

Table of Contents

1. Embrace the Freedom of "Wants"
2. Be Self-Determined
3. The Compound Effect of the Gap and the Gain
4. Always Measure Backwards
5. Measure Three Daily Wins
6. Transform Every Experience into a Gain

1. Embrace the Freedom of "Wants"

The opening chapter of "The Gap and the Gain" sets the stage by distinguishing between "wants" and "needs." The authors argue that many people fall into the "Gap" by focusing on external needs—things they believe they must have to be happy or successful. This mindset is rooted in a sense of lack and desperation, leading to constant dissatisfaction. The book suggests that by shifting focus from needs to wants, individuals can free themselves from this cycle. "Wants" are internally driven desires that align with one's true self and values. By embracing wants, individuals can pursue goals that genuinely fulfill them, rather than chasing after external validation.

“When you are in the Gap, you have an external need for something outside of yourself.” — Dan Sullivan

An inspiring example of this concept is the story of Olympic skater Dan Jansen. Jansen's career was initially marked by a desperate need to win a medal, which led to repeated failures and disappointments. However, when he shifted his focus to enjoying the process and appreciating the opportunity to compete, he finally achieved his goal of winning a gold medal. This story illustrates the transformative power of shifting from a need-based to a want-based mindset, highlighting how this change can lead to success and fulfillment.