Signs you may have a ‘Gap mindset’:
• Focus on where I could be rather than where I am.
• Always looking at what can be improved.
• I can personally do better.
• Feel guilty celebrating any of my success when others are doing better than me.
• I feel, if I stop, I will go backwards.
• Looking for perfection.
• Focus on customer satisfaction.
• Never satisfied.
There are some features here that feel positive, and then others that could be considered not so. Essentially, a ‘Gap mindset’ is always striving for better – but never satisfied.
Someone with a ‘Gain mindset’ may have learned to celebrate successes more.
A hybrid of ‘Gap’ and ‘Gain’ is likely a more of a healthy mindset to aim for.
Strategies for a healthy balanced mindset:
• Set big goals, then break them down into small ones so you can enjoy frequent ‘Gains’.
• Identify what a ‘Gain’ is. Can be any size, financial or personal.
• Journal ‘Gains’ somewhere you can refer to easily. Even put the list on your office wall.
• Update your CV. Then look back on it.
• Use ‘Gains’ as motivation and draw energy from them.
• You don’t need to feel guilty – you deserved this. Enjoy the celebration, then move to the next goal.
• Once you identify you have made a ‘Gain’, don’t just set a new goal, celebrate the ‘Gain’, however small. Take a coffee break, go for a quick walk in the park.
• Just make your reward something you like to do. Try to set your goals so you can get a ‘Gain’ every day.
Something I personally tried was around the Japanese philosophy of Kaisen. We installed a gong in our factory. At first staff thought it was some new gimmick from head office. Then as people got the idea, each time the gong was rung everyone looked up to see the smiles, this became infectious and we all felt a small endorphin rush as we heard it – and thus sharing in people’s ‘Gains.
Another example of a reward that was shared, was gaining a black belt in Karate. If you think about it, the black belt is the medal awarded to the success, or ‘Gain’. And it’s a medal you get to wear. This system is a pretty cool idea.
Success looks differently for everyone. You don’t need to dish out some sort of lame participation awards to yourself, but you do need to recognise what a ‘Gain’ looks like to you and then reward yourself for it before we move on. Remember, we all need to be the apprentice before we can be the master.
Keeping a healthy mindset will keep you balanced, energised and help you build resilience. It will also make you a nicer person, and better colleague and companion.
Reframe your thinking now, life is the journey remember. Let’s plan to enjoy that journey.
(Excerpt from a session between members of the Independent Board facilitated by Daniel Duarte – From ‘Craigs Investment Partners’)