Metrics Improvement: That Which Is Recorded Is Performed
The Thought Behind The Thought: Often in life, you experience principles and truths, and you are not even aware of the lesson at the time.
"What gets measured gets improved." -- Peter Drucker
Time And Perspective Make The Connection: It is only later when you discover, overhear, stumble upon, or are taught something that the connection makes sense, in retrospect.
"You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward." --Steve Jobs
Smiley Shades of Grey
Three Guys – Three Gals: In my first year of college, my two friends and I moved into a 3-bedroom apartment to live together. Coincidentally, at the other end of our complex, a trio of females did the same.
No Unexpected Plot Twist Here: Craig, one of my friends, quickly got cozy with Marti, one of the ladies, and soon enough, his nights were mostly spent at her place.
Flash forward to about a month later, during a party at the girls’ apartment. Because it was cold, I was dressed in my best bulky sweatshirt, and Marti suggested I could stash it in her room for the duration of the party.
The Emoji Evaluation Chart: A unique calendar just above the light switch caught my eye while exiting her room. It was decorated with emoticons, and each date flaunted either a meh face, a happy face, or what turned out to be the double happy face.
Curious, I asked Marti what that calendar was for.
The Bedroom Scoreboard: With a smirk, she confessed, “It’s my way of tracking Craig’s, umm, nightly performances. It’s a visual aid for him, if you will.”
The Metrics Of Progress – From Mediocre to Magnificent: I went back to look at the calendar with Marti. A closer inspection revealed a trend: a humble start with ‘meh faces’ at the month’s start, crescendoing to a fanfare of ‘double happy faces’ by the end.
“Is this a sign of… improvement?” I ventured curiously. Marti laughed and replied, “Absolutely! It turns out feedback can work wonders!”
How’s That Working? I said, “That looks effective. But where are Craig’s ratings? Why not let Craig join in the fun? Have him add his own ratings!”
She thought for a moment and said, “That starts tonight.”
This is how a simple calendar turned into a humorous report card of sorts, charting the highs, lows, and ‘oh-wow’s of a college romance.
True story ☺☺
Thought Lesson – Is This The Connection Formula? Experience + Time + Awareness + Recognition + Knowledge + Wisdom + Curiosity + Reflection = Connection
"Creativity is just connecting things." --Steve Jobs
How To Harness The Power Of Metrics To Improve Your Personal Well-Being
Enhancing your well-being can be as simple and enjoyable as using a calendar creatively. By placing a calendar in a prominent spot, you can employ personalized icons to mark and celebrate your daily achievements. Here’s how you can apply this fun and effective strategy to various aspects of your life:
Fitness Footprints: Eager to keep up with regular exercise, like walking or jogging? Jot down a tiny footprint for each day you complete your workout. This visual reminder serves as both motivation and a record of your fitness journey.
Bookworm Bonanza: If you’re keen on reading more, add an eye or sketch a little book on the days you delve into reading. To add a twist, note the number of pages read or minutes spent reading inside each book drawing. It’s a delightful way to track your literary adventures.
Hydration Highlights: Striving to drink more water? Illustrate your hydration success with water droplet drawings for each glass you drink. This simple method acts as a continual nudge towards better hydration habits.
Meditation Moments: For those exploring meditation or mindfulness, depict your tranquil state with a peace symbol or a flower on your meditation days. This serene imagery can reinforce your commitment to mental wellness.
Healthy Eating Habits: Focusing on nutritious eating? Use vibrant symbols like an apple or carrot to signify days or meals when you met your dietary goals. These colorful markers can inspire a continued dedication to healthy eating.
Savings Stickers: If financial saving is your goal, mark days of frugality with a piggy bank, cash emoji, or dollar sign. These icons can celebrate your days of smart spending or moments when you boost your savings.
Learning Ladders: Embarking on a journey of learning a new skill, language, or subject? A brain or a light bulb icon can illuminate the days dedicated to your educational pursuits, keeping your progress in plain sight.
Creativity Corners: For those immersed in creative projects or hobbies, such as music or art, add a musical note or draw a paintbrush or pencil on days you engage in these activities. These artistic symbols can chronicle and encourage your creative expression.
By implementing these fun and personalized visual metrics, you can transform your calendar into a colorful dashboard of your personal growth and well-being. (And, of course, you and your partner can both share the same calendar, just use distinct icons.)
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