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Easy to Measure

 


Easy to measure does not mean important to execute. In life, we have a tendency to measure things that are easy to track, regardless of their impact or consequence.

And this makes perfect sense. When we have a yardstick to which we can compare ourselves, it can be very motivating. The yardstick shows us where we stand and what a win looks like. However, just because something can be measured does not mean it should be. And for better or for worse, what gets measured usually gets done.

We waste a lot of time measuring – and then acting on – the wrong variables. We often seek actions for their well-defined yardsticks rather than their impact and significance. Building trust and connection in my interactions at work – showing people I care about them and their future – is far more impactful than how many emails I respond to. It takes me about 20 seconds to figure out how many emails I have sent this week, but measuring trust and connection is far less tangible.

We must seek maximum impact and significance in what we do. While it may require a lot of effort and creativity to find metrics that match up with what is truly important, it is effort that will be handsomely rewarded. Measure what is important, not just what is easy to measure.

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