Charting metrics can help you achieve goals

Do you use metrics in your personal life to determine whether you’re making progress on a goal? If so, what are your favorite ones to use? Some people believe wholeheartedly in metrics while others feel the use of them can feel oppressive.

Let’s look at the example of weight loss and other health goals like eating more healthfully and exercising. Research shows that when you track your behavior in a journal or on an app, you will more likely reach your goals. The act of recording your daily behavior holds you accountable. Some people report that simply knowing they will have to record it makes them want to engage in better behaviors. Working on financial goals is another opportunity to use metrics to track success. Many people use a spreadsheet to look at how much they’ve saved, spent, invested and gifted each month. Others use a notebook. Meditation is another behavior where many apply a personal metric. People report feeling satisfied when they see they’ve meditated daily as they intended. It becomes more complicated, though, when you want to measure changes in the brain state or health as a result of the meditation. There are some exciting new metrics on the horizon through the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza and others in this field. There are many positive implications.

When people consider a big goal, they are often standing on the starting line envisioning crossing the finish line. That can feel intimidating and overwhelming. Their focus is on going from 0 to 100. Instead, focus on going from the start line to the 10 yard line. Do what needs to be done to achieve mini-metrics to build momentum. Metrics can be an ally. Choose and use them wisely for best results.