Blog

Focus on the Gain, Not the Gap

I was chatting with one of my music mentors, the brilliant Kieran Wilson, and I mentioned that I recently watched a DJ perform—she was a Tech House DJ, bouncing around like an absolute pro. She was so quick, nimble, and talented that it instantly made me doubt my own capabilities.

He kindly responded, “Think of a few years ago, when the things you are easily doing now seemed impossible then.”

A fab perspective shift.

Similarly, I worked with Peter Pixel, the incredibly talented producer, and he shared another insightful perspective. He mentioned that time doesn’t matter in the music industry.

Despite having 20+ years of experience (including an 18-year residency at Fabric), he suggested that if I put my mind to it, I could achieve similar results or even overtake in just a year.

While highly unlikely—because he’s brilliant—I loved the sentiment. There was no gatekeeping from a more experienced person, only encouragement.

In both cases, these mentors demonstrated what truly works in the industry: meeting each other and providing support. Instead of reinforcing glass ceilings, they shattered mine.

The Gap vs. The Gain: Dan Sullivan’s Theory

Connecting this to the business world, where so much money has been invested in coaching and, therefore, a good area for DJs to learn. A well-known coach, Dan Sullivan, has worked with firms globally.

He is famous for helping foudners integrate health and business AND working less / making more. Again great skills for DJs.

He developed a concept that many entrepreneurs struggle with—the focus on ‘The Gap’ instead of ‘The Gain.’

• The Gap is where you compare yourself to an ideal that you haven’t yet reached. You wake up every day and see what’s NOT happened and still to do. It’s the feeling of never being good enough, the job or project is never dont. Constantly looking at others who are ahead, and seeing only what you lack.

It’s no wonder a lot of founders get depressed!

• The Gain is looking at how far you’ve come, recognising the progress you’ve made, and acknowledging achievements instead of shortcomings. We all make progress every day but we all take it for granted. Journalling fixes this.

This perspective shift is a game-changer when applied to DJing and music production.

How Gap/Gain Applies to DJs and Producers

As DJs, producers, and creatives, we’re often solo entrepreneurs.

It’s easy to look at others and think, “I’m not there yet,” or “I’ll never be as good as them.”

But the truth is, every pro was once a beginner. Instead of measuring against those ahead of us, we should measure against our past selves. Even if that ‘past selves’ is the person you were yesterday.

What skills have you mastered that once seemed impossible?

For example:

• A year ago, maybe beat-matching was a struggle—now it’s second nature.
• Maybe EQing felt overwhelming—now you instinctively adjust frequencies in real time.
• Perhaps you once doubted you could produce your own track—now you’ve released one.

It’s Human nature to look at the negative perspective in life; this is why the media and news industries and EastEnders thrive.

Shifting focus to ‘The Gain’ keeps motivation high, reduces self-doubt, and allows for sustainable progress without burnout.

Three Actions to Apply This Mindset

1. Track Your Progress

• Keep a journal or notes on what you’ve learned or achieved EVERY DAY. Think of the small steps of progression you made and celebrate it (even just your head). If you can do this first thing, you start the day ‘winning’, and I appreciate that. It sounds super cheesy, but trust me.
• Rewatch or listen to old sets to appreciate how far you’ve come.

1. Surround Yourself with Supportive Mentors and Peers

• Connect with those who encourage growth instead of gatekeeping knowledge. Do back-to-back sets. Offer to help others. Give and take. But whatever you, remember to journal it!
• Engage with communities that celebrate progress, not just perfection. LSA in London is excellent for this.

1. Set a realistic VISION

This is the number one thing you need to do; always have a clear vision and don’t deviate. If you see yourself playing at some massive event – visualise it and manifest it. Don’t be scared of your dreams.

• Draw up your vision.
• Whilst plan sounds like the most natural step, don’t. Instead define your ‘next step’ rather than fixating on an ideal far ahead.
• Instead of comparing yourself to top-tier DJs, set goals based on personal growth. What specifically do YOU need to fix?

By shifting from ‘The Gap’ to ‘The Gain,’ you’ll find that your DJing and production journey becomes far more rewarding.

Every skill you master is proof of your progress. Keep pushing forward, and remember—you’ve already come further than you once thought possible.

(Note: I provide the same advice and journalling skills to CEOs in firms, and the transformation is HUGE. I think it is because there is proof of progress and a sense of pride. I have seen people completely turnaround their businesses in a few months)