Mind the Gap, But Don’t Live There

I recently read The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, and I think it is one of those books that can help just about anyone in just about any area of life.

The idea is simple. The Gap is when we focus on how far we still have to go to reach our ideals. Being human, we tend to be less than satisfied with what we have done or accomplished. The goal can start to feel like it keeps moving farther and farther away. 

The Gain is when we look back and notice how far we have already come. We have wins every day because we are always making some progress and moving forward. The Gain also takes comparison out of the equation. What we see on social media no longer matters when it comes to our personal definition of a win.

Can you see how this fits with healthy eating?

It is so easy to live in the gap. We think we should be eating better, losing faster, cooking more, craving less, and doing all of it perfectly. That kind of thinking can make healthy habits feel heavy and unattainable.

The gain is a whole lot more encouraging.

Maybe you drink more water than you used to. Maybe you eat more protein, cook at home more often, or think twice before reaching for food every time stress hits. Maybe you are not where you want to be yet, but you are also not where you started. That is a win.

And that matters.

What I liked most about this book is that while it has nothing to do with food, it still fits healthy eating so well. Really, it can apply to your work, relationships, goals, mindset, and everyday life too. We spend so much time noticing what is missing that we forget to notice what is improving.

And honestly, that is no way to live. 

Healthy eating tends to go better when it comes from encouragement instead of constant self-criticism. The same is true for life.

So here is a good question for this week:
What progress have you made that you have not been giving yourself credit for?

That is the gain.

Join Me for The Spring Energy Reset

On Saturday, March 28 at 9:00 AM Central, I’ll be hosting a free Zoom conversation called The Spring Energy Reset, where we’ll talk about simple ways to help your body adjust to the change in seasons and feel more energized heading into spring.

If you’ve been feeling a little sluggish, off-schedule, or out of rhythm with these back-and-forth Midwest weather shifts, you are not alone. We’ll cover simple Ayurvedic-inspired food ideas, gentle movement, sleep support, and realistic daily habits to help you feel more like yourself again.

You’ll leave with practical ideas you can actually use, without extremes, pressure, or a complicated plan. Save your spot today by emailing me at carol@inkwellcoaching.com. 

To your health,
Health Coach Carol

“Happiness is not something you pursue. Happiness is not somewhere in the future. Decades of scientific research is clear on this point: happiness is where you start, not where you finish.” ― Dan Sullivan