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Read Time: 7 Minutes
Hey ,
Today I want to share my #1 biggest entrepreneurial hurdle...
But first, let me ask you a question.
Take a second to reflect, and then answer honestly:
Have you ever felt like you're not as far along as you should be?
And if you aren't, you whip yourself into shape until you are?
Not saying that beating yourself up is the most useful tool.
Though sometimes, it can be - in moderation.
This topic's been on my mind lately - because in reality...
You're always exactly where you're "supposed" to be. If you're doing what's required to level up & putting 100% effort (only you know whether you are or not)...
Then how could it be any other way?
Being hard on yourself is needed when you feel you're slacking
But if you're leaving it all out on the field, and giving everything you have, then you're right on time.
I've had such a difficult time grappling with this one over the years. That's why I'd say it's been my #1 largest entrepreneurial hurdle.
But I've come across something...
Recently I've been reading "10x Is Easier Than 2x" by legendary business coach Dan Sullivan.
It's put a HUGE reframe on my mental model of progress.
The implications of this as I implement will afford me much better long-term patience, while maintaining my short term urgency.
A great book with a few other gems - but what stood out to me were two concepts, called:
The Gap & The Gain
The Gap is you looking out towards a horizon (which you'll never "arrive" at) and comparing yourself to that ideal standard of you in the future. No bueno.
It's looking at your highest potential, some indiscriminate point in the future, and comparing your "today self" to it.
Now, should we have goals and standards we strive for? Yes.
Should we kill ourselves until we reach a never-ending, desert-horizon-extended goal timeline? Probably not.
Why?
Because it's a horizon you never reach. Once you hit the "end point", just like a mirage, the reality eludes your grasp.
The Gain is Different.
The Gain is looking backwards at your own progress, and only comparing your "today self" to your past.
This is a superpower.
If you've been doing all the right things, looking at yourself one or two years ago will form a wide gap - in a positive way.
And reviewing your progress from 3-5 years ago (or especially 10+) is absolutely night and day difference.
Complete metamorphosis and evolution.
Now, I don't interpret this to mean you don't look forward. . .
Quite the contrary.
I think it's vital to set goals, visualize your ideal future - then strive for it daily.
I'm also not 100% sure where I stand on "goal timelines".
Such as, "I will make $XXX,xxx/mo. by March 31st, 2025". I see the value.
But I also see goals or concrete targets as just that. Targets to aim and strive for, and adjust yourself in accordance to.
You should want to hit your own targets, because they have deep meaning to you. But I haven't discovered whether a timeline is more helpful or harmful.
Anyway, properly using The Gap & The Gain is likely to set you up with more internal peace, as you build and go hard for yours.
For me, it's already been a strong mindset shift. Because historically, nothing, and I mean NOTHING I ever achieved had felt good enough.
I'd kill myself to hit a target, strive for months or years and get there, and then feel...
Nothing.
Elation for a day or two, then on to the next.
Part of that is good - it keeps you hungry for more.
But the darker side is the self-destruction that comes along with.
So I think this is a more proper balance for the long-run.
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