PN | Weekly #20: June 21, 2026
“I believe that gratitude is the best approach to life. When life is going well, it allows us to celebrate and magnify the goodness. When life is going badly, it provides a perspective by which we can view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary experiences. And this is what grateful people do.”ROBERT EMMONS |
Happy Sunday, Heroic!
And Happy Father's Day to the dads.
Michael here. ๐
Back in January, on a bit of a Ben Hardy binge, I picked up The Gap and The Gain.
Ever since then, I end each day with the Three Wins practice that the book recommends: first, write down specific ‘wins’ from that day. Then, write down the ‘wins’ to accomplish the next day.
It's a simple practice. But the impact has been amazing.
Simple practices, regularly done, often are.
This week’s new Philosopher's Note, on Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy's The Gap and the Gain, is full of simple, powerful perspective shifts and daily actions (like Three Wins!) that can make a big difference.
Here's the line at the heart of it:
"The way to measure your progress is backward against where you started, not forward against your ideal."
The Gap is measuring forwards, against an ideal that you will never reach. So you're always short, no matter how far you've come.
The Gain is measuring backward. From where you actually started. So you can’t mistake the progress that you’re making.
Same day. Same activities. Completely different experience.
Not just for us, but for those of us with families, our kids as well.
Being a dad is my absolute favorite and most rewarding job.
And Gain framing, kept alive daily with the Three Wins, has helped me show up and play that role better, one day at a time.
So tonight, write down three ‘wins’ you created today.
Wishing you and yours a great week. And a Happy Father's Day.
Day 1. All in. Let's go.
-Michael
P.S. In July, we're kicking off The Flourishing Accelerator: a live, cohort-based, hands-on, 8-week program to help you show up fully for yourself, your family, and your work.
It's built for the people juggling a lot (you know who you are).
And next week, we’re hosting free Stop Starting, Start Finishing masterclasses to help EVERYONE create progress, right away.
Come find out what you could feel like by the end of the summer.
P.P.S. Other notes from Dr. Benjamin Hardy includes Personality Isn’t Permanent, The Science of Scaling, and Be Your Future Self Now.
And Happy Father's Day to the dads.
Michael here. ๐
Back in January, on a bit of a Ben Hardy binge, I picked up The Gap and The Gain.
Ever since then, I end each day with the Three Wins practice that the book recommends: first, write down specific ‘wins’ from that day. Then, write down the ‘wins’ to accomplish the next day.
It's a simple practice. But the impact has been amazing.
Simple practices, regularly done, often are.
This week’s new Philosopher's Note, on Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy's The Gap and the Gain, is full of simple, powerful perspective shifts and daily actions (like Three Wins!) that can make a big difference.
Here's the line at the heart of it:
"The way to measure your progress is backward against where you started, not forward against your ideal."
The Gap is measuring forwards, against an ideal that you will never reach. So you're always short, no matter how far you've come.
The Gain is measuring backward. From where you actually started. So you can’t mistake the progress that you’re making.
Same day. Same activities. Completely different experience.
Not just for us, but for those of us with families, our kids as well.
Being a dad is my absolute favorite and most rewarding job.
And Gain framing, kept alive daily with the Three Wins, has helped me show up and play that role better, one day at a time.
So tonight, write down three ‘wins’ you created today.
Wishing you and yours a great week. And a Happy Father's Day.
Day 1. All in. Let's go.
-Michael
P.S. In July, we're kicking off The Flourishing Accelerator: a live, cohort-based, hands-on, 8-week program to help you show up fully for yourself, your family, and your work.
It's built for the people juggling a lot (you know who you are).
And next week, we’re hosting free Stop Starting, Start Finishing masterclasses to help EVERYONE create progress, right away.
| SAVE YOUR SEAT FOR THE FREE MASTERCLASS |
Come find out what you could feel like by the end of the summer.
P.P.S. Other notes from Dr. Benjamin Hardy includes Personality Isn’t Permanent, The Science of Scaling, and Be Your Future Self Now.
New on Philosopher's Notes TV
This week, Brian is back at the chalkboard to explore one of the most influential ideas ever shared: The Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell.
Campbell believed that each of us is called to leave the familiar, face challenges, and discover who we're capable of becoming. The question is: Will we answer the call?
Enjoy this past week's featured Notes!
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“Help others see and appreciate their own GAINS more by (1) asking them about their recent progress, and (2) pointing out to them their progress. It can be very humbling and empowering to have someone recognize or point out your progress. Be that person who acknowledges other people’s GAINS.”BEN HARDY |
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