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The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,471 ratings

As he did in Who Not How, Dr. Benjamin Hardy shares one of Dan Sullivan's simple yet profound teachings that until now has been known only to his Strategic Coach clients: unsuccessful people focus on "The Gap", but successful people focus on "The Gain".

"[T]his one simple concept is a masterclass on positive psychology, healthy relationships, mental well-being, and high-performance. Everything that psychologists know about how to create a high-functioning and successful person can be achieved using The GAP and the GAIN." (Dr. Benjamin Hardy)

Most people, especially highly ambitious people, are unhappy because of how they measure their progress. We all have an "ideal", a moving target that is always out of reach. When we measure ourselves against that ideal, we're in "the gap". However, when we measure ourselves against our previous selves, we're in "the gain".

That is where the gap and the gain concept comes in. It was developed by legendary entrepreneur coach Dan Sullivan and is based on his work with tens of thousands of successful entrepreneurs. When Dan's coaching clients periodically take stock of all that they've accomplished - both personally and professionally - they are often shocked at how much they have actually achieved. They weren't able to appreciate their progress because no matter how much they were getting done, they were usually measuring themselves against their ideals or goals.

In this book you will learn that measuring your current self vs. your former self has enormous psychological benefits. And that's really the key to this deceptively simple yet multilayered concept that will have you feeling good, feeling grateful, and feeling like you are making progress even when times are tough, which will in turn will bolster motivation, confidence, and future success.

If you're finding that happiness eludes you no matter how much you've achieved, then learning this easy mindset shift will set you on a life-changing path to greater fulfillment and success.

This audio product contains a PDF with supporting material, and the PDF is available to download

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Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 58 minutes
Author Dan Sullivan, Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Narrator Dan Sullivan, Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Audible.com Release Date October 19, 2021
Publisher Hay House Business
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09HN6GKNY
Best Sellers Rank #910 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#37 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Audible Books & Originals)
#48 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Books)
#50 in Personal Finance (Books)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
2,471 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book inspirational and helpful for creating a paradigm shift in thinking. They say it's worth reading and provides great takeaways. The content is easy to understand and well-written, making it a great read for anyone. Readers appreciate the actionable insights and steps they will implement in their daily routine. However, some feel the book is repetitive and wordy, with not enough depth.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

120 customers mention "Inspirational content"120 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and helpful for creating a paradigm shift in thinking. They say it helps them understand the trap of negative perspective and how far positive thinking can go. The book helps them stay focused on progress made, providing great principles and insights. While some readers mention the book is repetitive at times, it did change their perspective on how to measure success.

"A very necessary reminder. It’s really hard to escape the comparison game in your career and personal life...." Read more

"...coach, it gives me very helpful tips on exploring your thinking & approach to life. Buying it for our kids & my siblings!" Read more

"Really enjoyed this book, helps you remain focused on the progress you have made" Read more

"...Captivating. East to apply and highly useful content. Really practical, and yet, chock full of wisdom and really significant ideas to implement." Read more

55 customers mention "Value for money"55 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful and worth reading. They appreciate the new perspective and concept.

"The GAP and the GAIN is one of the best books I have read on the proper perspective on happiness and success." Read more

"Really enjoyed this book, helps you remain focused on the progress you have made" Read more

"This was an amazing book. A lot of times we move the goalpost and are never satisfied...." Read more

"...This book taught me a lot on how to think before I react. Great book all around !" Read more

30 customers mention "Ease of reading"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They say it's well-written, provides a practical guide for high-achievers, and provides a simple concept that is powerful. The book offers insights and helps them find clarity about how to change.

"This book is so well written & as a coach, it gives me very helpful tips on exploring your thinking & approach to life...." Read more

"Super fast and easy read. Captivating. East to apply and highly useful content...." Read more

"...practices of Dan Sullivan, this book provides a practical and accessible guide for high-achievers seeking greater happiness, confidence, and success..." Read more

"...Extremely well written. Fantastic information. I’ll most likely reread this one several times. Highly recommended." Read more

28 customers mention "Readability"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's a must-read for anyone, helping readers transform their thinking. The authors do a good job helping readers see that living in the Gain creates abundance.

"Ben does a great job helping readers see that living in the GAIN creates abundance through personal comparison to ones previous self...." Read more

"...I can't wait to keep reading other amazing books from this amazing authors" Read more

"...The book is great on its own--absolutely worth it (and when I give the book away, I'm giving the hardcover)...." Read more

"...It's an excellent read. I recommend sitting down with this book as well as a notebook and pen. Take time with this book...." Read more

4 customers mention "Actionable"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides actionable insights and steps they can add to their daily routine.

"...Ideas are practical and actionable in most circumstances...." Read more

"...Highly recommended for those seeking a fresh perspective and actionable insights." Read more

"Lots of actionable steps that I’ll be adding to my daily routine! Great read. Definitely worth it! Three more words. Lol" Read more

"Benjamin Hardy is a fantastic writer who takes ideas and makes them actionable...." Read more

11 customers mention "Recompetition"0 positive11 negative

Customers find the book repetitive and wordy. They feel it's not an in-depth concept and feels like filler trash that says the same thing over and over.

"...Even though the book was a quick read and repetitive at times, it did change my perspective on how to measure success...." Read more

"...interesting way of learning from your experiences, but the book is very repetitive. I think this could have been an article rather than a book." Read more

"...was hopeful I’d learn from it but I noticed early on that it was getting repetitive and just taking up space by over exaggerating the point...." Read more

"...concept can be a helpful mindset to adopt, but I found the book repeating the same things and contains a high level of dis jointed, rushed stories...." Read more

Practical and Powerful!
5 out of 5 stars
Practical and Powerful!
Dan and Benjamin have done it again! This book is packed with so many great points of wisdom. It would take days for me to cover them all.The main point I got from “The Gap and the Gain” is that happiness is NOT something you chase or pursue. Happiness is a CHOICE.We can wake up each day and choose to be happy or sad. We don’t need to measure ourselves against any other person or thing. We just need to measure backwards and see how far we have come. Then be very grateful!When I look at my life this way, I see that I am already one of the most successful people on the planet earth. How about that!You will be blessed to learn about Howard Getson, who turned what looked like financial ruins into financial gains.The trials of Richie and Natalie Norton, inspired me. I am definitely starting my “One-Way” ticket lifestyle today! If I cannot work from a clear blue water beach then I ain’t doing it. Yup, I said Ain’t 😀If we learn to practice PROACTIVE GRATITUDE, we will be happier and most likely live longer.Just get this book and read it ASAP. It will change your life if you allow it.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024
    The GAP and the GAIN is one of the best books I have read on the proper perspective on happiness and success.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
    A very necessary reminder. It’s really hard to escape the comparison game in your career and personal life. At some point you stop looking at how much you’ve accomplished because you’re taught to go for the next level or target. You end up becoming depressed by progress instead of empowered by it. I read this book every couple months to reinforce that yes-I should always be improving but unless I track it and celebrate it goes forgotten. Thanks Ben & Dan
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024
    This book is so well written & as a coach, it gives me very helpful tips on exploring your thinking & approach to life. Buying it for our kids & my siblings!
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
    Really enjoyed this book, helps you remain focused on the progress you have made
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2024
    Super fast and easy read. Captivating. East to apply and highly useful content. Really practical, and yet, chock full of wisdom and really significant ideas to implement.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2023
    "The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success" by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan introduces a simple yet profound concept that has the potential to transform the way individuals, particularly high-achievers, measure and perceive their progress. The central idea revolves around shifting focus from the elusive "Gap" — the space between one's current reality and an idealized future — to the tangible "Gain" — the progress made relative to one's past self.

    Dr. Benjamin Hardy, drawing on Dan Sullivan's teachings, positions this concept as a masterclass in positive psychology, healthy relationships, mental well-being, and high-performance. The book emphasizes that measuring oneself against an ever-moving ideal often leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness, especially for ambitious individuals. Instead, the authors advocate for evaluating progress by comparing one's current self to their former self, thereby fostering a sense of appreciation for achievements and creating a positive mindset.

    The GAP and the GAIN concept, developed through Sullivan's extensive work with successful entrepreneurs, becomes a psychological tool that allows individuals to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishments. By periodically reflecting on personal and professional achievements, readers can experience a shift in perspective, realizing the extent of their progress that might have been overlooked while constantly aiming for distant goals.

    The book suggests that this mindset shift carries significant psychological benefits, fostering feelings of gratitude, motivation, and confidence. It is presented as a deceptively simple yet multi-layered concept that can lead to greater fulfillment and success. The authors argue that even during challenging times, understanding and applying the GAP and the GAIN concept can create a positive feedback loop, boosting motivation and paving the way for future accomplishments.

    "The Gap and The Gain" offers readers a transformative mindset shift, encouraging them to measure success not against unattainable ideals but against their own past achievements. With its roots in the coaching practices of Dan Sullivan, this book provides a practical and accessible guide for high-achievers seeking greater happiness, confidence, and success by focusing on the tangible gains made in their journey of personal and professional development.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    This was an amazing book. A lot of times we move the goalpost and are never satisfied. This book helps recognize when you are in the gap and not the gain.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2024
    Finally, a book that taught me more about myself than any book outside of scipture. Measuring backwards builds optimism, faith and hope .

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Heather Phibbs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great easy read !
    Reviewed in Canada on January 30, 2023
    Great read with some practical insights for change!!
  • Anselmo Pereira de Lima
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in Brazil on February 1, 2022
    The idea of measuring your progress backward is very powerful and transformative. I highly recommend this book, especially if you have already come very far in your life achievements, but, despite that fact, you tend to feel anxious, unsatisfied or unhappy about your “unreached ideals”. Just go ahead, grab a copy and read the book! I thank the authors for sharing their wisdom and experience.
  • Lucia L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great reminder
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on November 22, 2024
    A book I return to when I need a reminder to think in the Gain!
  • Xanti Garate
    5.0 out of 5 stars Una especie de bálsamo para la autoestima
    Reviewed in Spain on July 9, 2024
    Es liberador reconocerte a ti mismo que el camino que ya has recorrido es impresionante, y que por tanto, no hay motivo para no estar orgulloso de uno mismo.
    Desde ese punto de alta estima, cualquier reto del futuro es más asequible.
    Ese estado mental es lo que nos regala este libro, por eso parece de lectura obligatoria.
  • Felix A.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressive!
    Reviewed in Germany on June 6, 2023
    This book is well written. It brought to light what I had always tried to get across to most people I communicate with. I am very glad someone put it out for more people to read. I would recommend it to everyone.