How to Close the Gaps Between Where You Are and Where You Want to be
Treading water is so much work — it can really feel like swimming.
Photo by Kace Rodriguez on Unsplash
I’m slightly obsessed with gaps.
I always want to know exactly where I am so that I can judge where it is I want to be — and the distance between the two. I need two fixed points.
So, I’m constantly evaluating myself. Or my life. Different aspects of my life. What’s my money situation right now? How’s my business? My house? My relationship with my husband? My personal style? When was the last time I talked to my each of my brothers and sisters? How happy am I? How do I feel? How’s my time management? My sleep?
And on and on.
I am drawn like a moth to the flame to self-evaluation tools. I dislike labels in general, but anything that helps me to figure myself out? I’m there.
Because I know where I want to be. I have a very clear vision of what I want. I always have. Where I am now is murkier. It’s harder to judge. Part of that is because treading water is so much work, it sure feels like swimming, even if you don’t make any progress at all.
I’m confident in my ability to close the gaps, though, if I can just figure out what and where they are. I’ve done it before. Even massive gaps.
Like the gap between poverty and not being poor anymore. Or the gap between having a job I hate and owning a business that I absolutely love. The gap between really wanting to be a writer and being a full-time working writer who’s published by major publishers. The gap between sleep apnea and loss of mobility and losing 120 pounds so that those resolved.
The key is remembering that getting anywhere successfully requires two fixed points. In this case — where you are and where you want to be.