Why Focusing on What’s Missing Is Stealing Your Joy (and How to Stop It)

When I was in corporate, life felt linear. You set a goal, follow the process, put in the work, and boom….you get the result. There’s a system, a roadmap, and most days feel predictable.

But when you become an entrepreneur… that entire playbook goes out the window (ay ay ay). Suddenly, the path isn’t straight, it’s wild, nonlinear, de locos and unpredictable… just like LIFE itself hehe

I recently realized that when I was in corporate, I was programmed to measure success by what was missing…the next milestone, the next promotion, the next title, the next big project.

That’s The GAP. 

But as an entrepreneur (and human), that mindset will eat your joy alive. If you only focus on what’s missing, you’ll never feel enough…not for your business, not for your life, not for yourself. You’ll miss the blessings that are right here: 💖 your family, 💪🏼 your health, 🌴 your peace, 🫶🏼 the love around you.

You’ll keep saying “the good old days,” without realizing you didn’t even enjoy them when they were happening because you were too busy chasing the next goal.

 Now I start every session, every meeting, every reflection with one question: “What are your WINS?” Big or small, it doesn’t matter. Because every time you recognize a win, you remind your brain that you are making progress.

 I had a client once who sent me a long email filled with stress and challenges. When we started with wins, she said, “I don’t think I have any.” Twenty-five minutes later, she was still talking listing win after win after WIN! Her energy shifted. Her confidence returned. Her creativity unlocked. The same problems suddenly looked solvable. That’s the power of living in The GAIN.

 So here are some steps for you to also INTENTIONALLY LIVE IN THE GAIN:

1️⃣ Start your day or meeting with “What’s a win?”

Write or say 3 things that went right. Momentum multiplies when you acknowledge progress. Like Tony Robbins says “Energy flows where focus goes”

2️⃣ Reflect monthly on “Who was I 5 years ago?”

Celebrate your evolution. Your current “normal” was once your dream.

3️⃣ Anchor gratitude before goals.

Gratitude grounds you in joy. Then chase the goal not from lack, but from love.

4️⃣ Set goals that expand you, not define you.

Growth happens outside your threshold of control but FULFILLMENT happens when you enjoy the journey there.

5️⃣ Catch the GAP voice.

When you hear “I should be further ahead,” (it will happen… you are human!) pause and reframe: → “I’ve come so far, and I’m still growing.”. Celebrate these times of catching yourself up because you are rewiring you for the GAIN woohoo! 

Stop measuring your worth by what’s missing. Start measuring your growth by what’s gained. 

This is YOUR AUTHENTIC awesome journey!

When you live in The Gain, you don’t just grow your career & business you expand your life….. 

xo Jennie