Bridging the gap is a common term that means to reduce or eliminate the difference between two points.
It sounds simple enough from a practical standpoint, but when it comes to closing the BIG gaps, you know what I’m talking about, the ones between what we have and what we want, things get complicated.
For example, there’s the gap between the person you (believe you) are now and the one you want to be, or the gap between your cubicle and the corner office.
Whether it’s creating meaningful change, pursuing a goal, or just making the most of your life, it’s pretty easy to identify the gaps.
For example:
- Intention and action.
- Potential and performance.
- Knowing and doing.
- Inexperience and wisdom.
- Doubt and confidence.
- Reality and dreams.
- Fear and courage.
- Lies and truth.
- Blame and forgiveness.
- Hate and love.
Surprisingly, the biggest obstacle to achieving your dreams and goals isn’t the gap at all, but failing to see a bridge that will take you where you want to go.
In theory, this makes decision-making pretty simple. Without a way to reach your destination (or achieve your goal), you have no choice but to accept things the way they are.
And this is, in a word, delusional.
We all have a blind spot to our strengths while at the same time we hold a magnifying glass to our weaknesses.
~Jesse Tremblay
What If You Can’t See a Bridge?
Everyone (yes, that means you and me, too) are blind to certain dimensions of who we really are, especially when it comes to what we are capable of achieving.
Think about it, if you see a way to cross to the other side then you’re going to have to risk going for it, or admit that you’d rather stay where you are.
Why would we do this to ourselves? Lack of confidence is a common stumbling block, but then it could be as simple as something you think you should do, but really don’t want to.
Or it could come down to an all too familiar enemy, fear.
After all, even if you see a bridge, there are no guarantees what you’ll find on the other side, who knows how long it will take, and there are bound to be at least a few surprises along the way.
Seriously, how bad do you want this thing?
Once you start across the bridge it’s going to be difficult if not impossible to put things back to the way they were because even if others don’t know what you’re trying to do, you will know.
What if you fail, what if you actually end up worse off than you are now, or what if you succeed and discover you hate it?
A clear example of self-sabotage, but let’s say you decide to give up trying to find a bridge and stay right where you are, accepting the consequences of the gap as being just being the way life is.
Won’t some part of you always regret not believing in yourself enough to find out what you are truly capable of?
Believing in Yourself Takes Practice
Just to be clear, the bridge is there, it’s always been there. You will see it when you are ready.
Everything you need is within you right now, but it may take time and the willingness to practice believing in yourself to bring it out, and that’s okay.
If you make the effort, every day you’ll get a little more confident!
Gaps come in all shapes and sizes, but there is one thing they have in common, they can either serve as a stopping point or a beginning.
It really is up each of us to decide whether or not we’re willing to take the risk to cross our bridges to discover and fully explore our possibilities.
If not now, when?
P.S. How about a little practice?
Write a list of ten OUTRAGEOUS things you wish you had the nerve to do. Then sign and date the list and post it where you can’t help but see it every day until you check off every item on the list. I DARE YOU!
Will you be the passenger or the driver in your life journey?
About Marquita Herald
Marquita is an author, resilience coach and the chief evangelist at Emotionally Resilient Living. She’s also an unapologetic workaholic who loves red wine, rock n’ roll, road trips (and car dancing!), peanut butter cookies and (especially) a dog named Lucy.
She’s saddened and frustrated by excuses and cruelty and believes authentic compassion is the most powerful force in the world.
To learn more about Marquita and the mission of Emotionally Resilient Living Start Here.
