Measuring Your Success Like a Pro Athlete: The Gain Perspective

By: Bretagne Pullens

It seems so simple. Measure your success before forging ahead. But even in my years of goal setting and cultivating a growth mindset, I find myself wanting to skip this step. I am so eager to be the best version of myself that I sometimes breeze past… well the past! But if you truly want to be the best version of yourself then you need to track your success. Whether you are looking at career goals or personal ones, without metricks, without measurement, how do you know if you are headed in the right direction? How do you know if you need to develop a new skill or pivot your approach?

In business, in relationships and in life, the pursuit of goals is a constant endeavor. No matter where you work or what business you have created, we are all consistently striving for greater achievements. However, before tackling the next set of goals, you have to review the play. That’s right, I am comparing life to football. Right now your favorite teams are watching hours of videos of their competitors and their previous games. High performing athletes know that it's crucial to analyze their performance to see where they need to make improvements, or learn what worked so they can do it again. This helps you identify strengths, weaknesses and strategies for improvement ensuring you are well prepared for the next game.?

So as you dive into this new year I encourage you to do the same thing with your life. But wait! Before you go back and watch the replays I must stress the importance of perspective and mindset before you hit play. If you go back and review your past performance with negativity, doubt or anger or frustration, how do you think you will look upon the performance? It will inevitably be skewed towards the negative, shutting down your opportunity for learning or growth.

But what if you kept a student-athlete perspective, and looked through your past performances as learning opportunities, like when we were in school. With a positive lens you will see far more than with a negative one.?

Even though my number one strength is Positivity (determined through Strength Finders 2.0), I find myself blocking my blessings as I review my highlight reel with criticism. Recently a friend of my mind suggested I read “The Gap and the Gain” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. I found this book is easy to read and digest and has really helped me keep my positive perspective. This article is inspired by that book and my love of football....

Celebrate Your Wins with Positivity

Success in business or your career is not solely about reaching the finish line; it's also about enjoying the path you're on. High achievers are individuals who understand the power of positivity in celebrating their victories, no matter how big or small. Recognizing your accomplishments not only boosts your spirits but will fuel you like Gatorade on a hot gameday.

In "The Gap and the Gain," Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy introduce the concept of measuring success with positivity by focusing on the "Gain" rather than the "Gap." Instead of constantly fixating on what's left to achieve, take a moment to appreciate how far you've come. Every milestone achieved, each project successfully completed, and every satisfied client or customer is a win worth celebrating. It's these moments of positivity that invigorate your passion and keep you motivated.?

Little known fact: Motivation comes from Momentum. Don’t slow yourself down from speeding towards the end zone by thinking of all the ways you have fumbled the ball.

Cultivating New Skills with a Positive Outlook

Success isn't just about outcomes; it's also about personal growth and development. Recognize the significance of positivity when it comes to acquiring new skills and continually bettering yourself.? Instead of dwelling on the gap between where you are and where you want to be, consider the positivity in the knowledge, expertise, and abilities you've gained. If you are a pro athlete, do you think you are performing at the same level as when you were in college? Absolutely not. Even Pro Bowler Pat Surtain of the Denver Broncos is better this year than last year, and he was the 2022 Rookie of the Year. Why do you think that is? Because he embraces a positive perspective so that every challenge and setback is an opportunity for knowledge and growth.

Whether it's playing cornerback, mastering a new cooking technique, enhancing marketing strategies, or expanding your leadership skills, each skill is acquired through practice in the form of progress. In their book, Sullivan and Hardy emphasize that measuring success through positivity can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable journey towards your goals. Research has found that those that keep a positive mindset outperform those that don’t.

Little known fact: There is far less learning in winning, then there is in losing.

Acknowledging Progress with a Positive Mindset

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to overlook the significance of progress. I know that I have struggled with the idea of progress when I have my sights set on the trophy or ideal. If your favorite football team makes it all the way down to the 10 yard line but fumbles the ball, it’s easy to sit in the gap as the points on the scoreboard stay the same and they have to turnover the ball. But if we recognize the power of positivity in acknowledging the distance they traveled and the unfortunate positioning of their opponent, is that not progress? If the trick play you ran on 4th down was easily read, is that not knowledge that you can use the next time you are on offense? Rather than solely focusing on results, value the process and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

By measuring your success in terms of positivity-driven progress, you gain a deeper appreciation for your journey's importance. Every setback, obstacle or lost yardage is a part of your story. Sullivan and Hardy's approach encourages individuals to realize that even during challenging times, progress is being made – a vital aspect of success that should not be underestimated.

Little Known fact: Even the Super Bowl Champions don’t run every play perfectly.

Keep a growth mindset and shift your perspective from the traditional "Gap" approach to the more holistic "Gain" perspective. In acknowledging your progress, you will cultivate new skills in a way that will keep you training, keep you growing and will keep momentum to help you score your touchdown. So, before you rush into setting new goals, take a moment to measure your success with positivity and appreciate how far you've come on your journey.

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