The Gap
The discipline we call “Solutions Focus” has a very fine point to make. We ask how things are on a scale of 1—10 and then, instead of asking, “Why isn’t it a ten?” we ask, “Why isn’t it a one?”
Say your life is a 3. Well, you must have some things going right… after all, it isn’t a 1 or a 0! So there must be some resources you can use. Look at what’s working in your life and start to build on that.
In other words, you look at solutions, instead of problems; what you have, instead of what you don’t have.
If you ask how to get to a 10, that will likely depress you. But ask how to get to a 4 and it will seem very doable.
A chunked down version of this life hack is attributed to Dan Sullivan; he calls it “The Gap”. He’s referring to the gap between where you are and where you’d like to be (the ideal, for you).
But Dan Sullivan wisely points out what he has christened the “Reverse Gap”; the difference between where you are and where you once were! That’s novel. Instead of agonizing over how to get to this remote and difficult goal, why not give yourself the brownie points you deserve for what you have achieved so far?
Thing is (see diagram), looking to what you want implies lack, it creates need, desire, longing, hunger, tension.
But looking back to where you have come from creates satisfaction, reward, gratitude and nourishment.
The Bright Future
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a purpose, setting goals and driving towards targets. The future is what you make it. It’s one of the fundamental maxims of Supernoetics™ that sanity is defined by having a bright and beautiful future.
Happiness, is striving. It’s the journey towards your heart’s desire.
We all must look to the future. The future is made out of today. Whatever you want for tomorrow, you must put into this day… every day.
What this wisdom bite is really teaching is: don’t let the future dismay you because it’s out there. Think all you have learned on life’s journey and be glad.
Gratitude is very powerful and the ultimate in gratitude is to be thankful to be here, to alive, to have choices and to even have a future to work towards. Say hello to the future by all means. But embrace the past, lovingly, wisely. It is YOU; it’s what brought you to this point.
I am starting to feel happy that looking back to where I already am I can easily get to my ideal future without stress.
From where I was to where I came should always be better, and for me it is. The Bible instructs us to be grateful and to “be anxious for nothing, but in all things, when ye pray, pray with thanksgiving….”meaning always be grateful for all that you have (not what you don’t have) but what you have so you may do something more with it. And as you do, you build your future of “better life”. The attitude of gratitude attracts what you are grateful for and more of that will come to you IF you do not let fear, doubt and unbelief cloud your thinking destination.