WARNING: While I do my best to keep this to a limit of 500 words (786), this one is a bit longer. My hope is that each extra word adds value and clarity.

If you read yesterday’s Reflection (076) you know the gap analysis is one of the most powerful tools you have. 

It’s simple in theory, but simple doesn’t always mean easy. As I’ve reflected on why that is, I believe it’s because most people lack a systematic way of going about it. 

In its simplest form, a gap analysis consists of the following (and I’ll use a tangible example we all can relate to): 


List out your current state/where you are today. 

You have to pee

List out your desired state/where you want to get to. 

You want relief 

List the major milestones that exist between the two points (current & desired state). 

Locate bathroom - go to bathroom - enter bathroom - relieve yourself - flush - wash - exit. 

Start working on completing the first milestone

Continue on until you have reached your desired state. 

But what if it’s not that simple? What if the gap is a little more complex and nuanced than a life lesson you learned when you were little? 

As with anything in life, it comes down to the quality of question we’re asking.


For that, try performing a gap analysis that consists of the following: 

Current State: 

What is your current state in relation to where it is you’d like to be? Where are you today? What makes that a problem? How do you know it is a problem? What is the reason that has to change? What is the reason that has to change now? 

Desired State/Outcome:

Now, ask yourself the following question. If it were 12 months from now (any timeframe will do). We're sitting down for coffee and you say, “holy shit Nate, these past 12 months have been the best of my life for ‘X’.” What will have to have had happened, for us to be having that conversation? 

List out everything that would have to take place if we were to have that conversation. Be sure to keep asking yourself “what else?” until you feel you’ve exhausted what you desire from your future state. 

Obstacles: 

After you’ve established your desired state, ask yourself what’s stopping you?

What stops you from having that already? What has or is currently getting in your way? What have you tried that didn’t work. What did you try that would have worked, if you’d increased your effort or stuck with it longer? How exactly did those things prevent you from getting to your desired state? 

Note: these are the obstacles that are standing in your way. You must find a solution to overcoming these obstacles to reach your desired state. 

Impacts: 

Once you’ve listed all the obstacles and what's stopping you, ask: what impact have they had or are having? What’s been the cost in time, revenue, effort, energy? What’s been the cost in relationship and leadership capital? What’s been the cost in mental energy and sanity? 

Timeline: 

How have those obstacles affected your ideal timeline? Or, could they affect your timeline in the future? What is the ideal timeline for reaching your desired state/outcome? What happens it takes longer? What happens if you reach it sooner? What things need to be in place and by when in order for you to stay on course with your desired timeline? 

Results & Checkpoints:

What needs to happen in order for you to reach your desired result/outcome/end point? What are the milestones that need to take place? By when? How will you know when you’re on track? How will you know if you’re off track? 

In NLP, we refer to the gap analysis as a Before - After -Bridge. And I’ve come to understand it like this:

The Before is synonymous with your Current State. 

The After is synonymous with your Desired State/Outcome. 

The four areas you ask questions around are Obstacles - Impacts - Timeline - Results. These are the stabilizers. The four pillars of your bridge so to speak. 

Without them, you may as well be crossing a rope bridge in an Indiana Jones movie, just hoping you make it across. 

With them, you’ll have built a bridge Andrew Carnegie himself would be proud of. You’ll have everything you need to reach and/or exceed your desired state. 

​All you have to do now is Direct, Adapt, and Iterate your way to success.

Death - Before - Dishonor

To your success,

Nate

​P.S. If you’d like to share your reflections with me, feel free to email me at reflections@mindvaultllc.com as I’ll be happy to hear your thoughts. This email goes directly to me and is reserved only for those who read these Reflections.