Measure Backward ⏪ & Move Forward ⏩

A few weeks ago, I wrote about mastery—the art of sticking with your craft long enough for good things to happen. But there’s one crucial aspect I don’t want to gloss over: the power of review, reflection, and reframing.

The secret isn’t just in the grind—it’s in how you reflect on your journey.

For the past two years, I’ve been geeking out over a concept from The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. It’s completely shifted how I approach progress.

The Gap vs. The Gain

Most of us measure ourselves by what we haven’t achieved—the gap between where we are and where we want to be.

That mindset fuels frustration. You think, I should be further along by now.

But Sullivan and Hardy argue that real growth happens in the gain: measuring progress by how far you’ve come, not how far you still have to go.

As they put it: “When you measure backward, you always win.”

Reflection: Where Were You a Year Ago?

As the year winds down, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself:

• Where was I at the beginning of this year?

• What did I accomplish, even if it feels small?

• Did I finish more songs?

• Step into a new genre?

• Get better at collaborating?

Every step forward, no matter how minor, is part of the gain.

Lessons in the “Misses”

It’s tempting to focus on what didn’t work—the missed opportunities, unfinished projects, or setbacks.

But here’s the truth: those “misses” aren’t failures. They’re lessons.

Instead of asking, What did I miss? ask, What did I gain?

• Did you sharpen your skills?

• Clarify what you truly want?

• Build resilience?

The misses are just as valuable as the wins because they contribute to your growth.

Reframing for the Year Ahead

Once you’ve reframed your year in terms of the gain, look ahead:

• What worked—and how can you build on it?

• What didn’t—and how can you pivot?

This isn’t about creating a rigid plan. It’s about refining your focus.

Mastery (sorry, not sorry) is a continuous process, not a destination. Maybe it’s time to double down on your strengths or simplify your goals to make steady progress.

Final Thoughts

Success isn’t about perfection.

It’s about showing up, learning from the process, and staying committed to growth.

The songwriting path will always twist and turn. But if you measure backward and focus on the gain, you’ll always see how far you’ve come.

Cheers to what you’ve done—and what’s still ahead.