Measuring Backwards?

In today’s culture it is easy to compare yourself to everyone else. I believe keeping up with the Joneses can be a struggle for everyone. I know I struggle with it. I spend most of my time with the Ranching for Profit School alumni and instructors. It is easy for me to get jealous of other people and where they are at in their lives or careers. Let’s be honest, they are farther along than I am. They have a ranch, they have a business, their kids are doing this and that, they have etc etc etc. Then your brain is opened up to a whole slew of rabbit trails! However most of those are not fair comparisons. Will I ever be in their position? Why should I be comparing myself to people 10-15 years older than me? I wonder how they compare themselves to me? All of those thoughts are negative energy, and I need to re-direct my thinking.

My wife, Jori came upon The Gap and the Gain book by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy during a professional development session earlier this summer, and basically told me that it was next on my reading list. It is definitely worth the read! The framework of the book is based on measuring our successes backwards from our starting point, not forwards to our ideal position. In fact they start the book with Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence phrase: “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Pursuit implies that we cannot reach true happiness. Measuring towards an ideal is compared to the desert horizon. It illuminates the path and gives you direction, but it is also immeasurable, unreachable, and constantly moving. Measuring backwards reminds us how far we have come, and gives us confidence to keep moving forward. Here is the visual:

In the book, they talk about being disciplined to stay in the GAIN thinking rather than the GAP. That applies to your work career and home life too. They don’t say you won’t ever go in the GAP, but you can recognize it quickly and switch back to the GAIN. 

Here could be my GAP thinking right now this summer:

• I need to be farther along in my career
• I have a whole stack of books to read
• I don’t spend enough time with my family
• My horses aren’t progressing like they should be

Notice how those thoughts are vague and just downright depressing.

Let’s switch to my GAIN thinking on those same thoughts:

• I solo taught for the first time several days at the Oklahoma City Ranching for Profit School, led the Economics Planning Intensive, and the Ranching for Profit Young Adults Business Intensive.
• I have read seven books this year.
• We took our young son to the pool, had a TopGolf day, successfully drew elk tags, and won money at several ropings
• I roped on one young horse at four different brandings, and the other young horse started in the arena on live cattle

Notice the difference in mindset reading those comments. They are specific and uplifting.

If you haven’t already looked it up, I encourage you to read The Gap and the Gain to help capture some of your wins. It is a bit counterintuitive to think about measuring backwards, but that will help you gain confidence and success in your mindset (If you are interested in reading more, Carol Dweck’s Mindset is another recommendation). I believe happiness is a choice, and it’s up to you to choose. During our Ranching for Profit Schools, we spend a significant amount of time on people development, so if you are looking to improve your business leadership skills, check out our fall and winter schedule.