Noticing the Gap: The First Brave Step From Self-Doubt to Self-Discovery
Noticing the Gap: The First Brave Step from Self-Doubt to Self-Discovery
Ever scrolled through someone’s highlight reel and thought, “I should be further along by now”? You’re not alone—and you’re standing at one of the most critical turning points in transformation.
In Brave Thinking, we call this moment Noticing the Gap.
Picture yourself on a suspension bridge. On one side: where you are today—your current circumstances, results, and maybe a little self-doubt. On the other: your dream, your vision, that “life I would love.” The space in between? That’s the gap. And let’s be honest—self-doubt, comparison, and old stories love to set up shop in that space.
But here’s the Brave Truth: Noticing that there IS a gap is an act of power, not shame. Awareness is the seed of change. Mary Morrissey often reminds us, “You can’t change what you aren’t willing to look at.” The moment you notice your gap, you’ve stepped out of autopilot and into possibility.
Some people try to bulldoze over the gap by hustling or criticizing themselves. But in Brave Thinking, we encourage a different approach: gentle, curious observation.
The next time you feel a wave of self-doubt or find yourself thinking, “Why am I not THERE yet?”—pause. Acknowledge: “I notice I’m experiencing a gap.” Instead of judgment, ask yourself, “What do I want to do from here? What is this feeling guiding me to notice, heal, or choose?”
Even the world’s top performers have their gaps. They don’t let those gaps stop them—they let those gaps guide them into growth. The gap isn’t a verdict; it’s an invitation to cross your next bridge.
Brave Thinking Practice
Try this today:
Take a deep breath and state, “I notice my gap.”
Pause, observe, and ask, “What’s one small step I can take toward my dream right now?”
Celebrate the act of noticing. Every bridge you build starts with awareness.
You are on the bridge, and that is exactly where power and transformation begin.