...but is it measurable?

[Christopher Calhoun]

I have goals. Everybody who wants anything has goals. Have I met any of my goals? Not until recently and it wasn’t because my goals weren’t reachable. It is because I did not create an environment for my goals to become habit and follow the discipline needed to stick with it and complete them.

In short, my goals weren’t entirely measurable.

I wanted, still do, to be secure in paying my bills but I would always just say, “I want to be able to pay my bills.” Okay but what does that look like? Is it working for company or person and just “making more than before?” Yes and no. I was never intentionally saving anything. I still haven’t even received a raise I was supposed to get, qualified for, and submitted documents stating I am owed. But it’s still on me.

I wanted, still do, to be physically stronger. Before I would just lift and lift and eat whatever the heck I wanted. Yeah, I felt good about myself because I stopped drinking sodas every day but boo-hoo. First world problem there. I didn’t track anything else. Not reps, not how much I ate, not total weight, or much of anything else. I only ever tracked my runs and sprints.

I can go on and on. Going into the new year, I have a new found interest in “being better” but, to measure that, I’ll have to write down what better actually means. A better anything can always be measured. And I aim to grow by leaps and bounds this year now, just by keeping myself more accountable by measuring my progress. An old concept for sure, one I’ve never put into place sadly. But, here we go.

Standing by to get some in 2020. Nothing is going to hold me back except me.

What are your tips for measuring success that have worked for you? Things you like and things you stay away from?


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[Brent Yamamoto]

Excellent.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't spend a lot of time measuring progress. My focus is more on just doing things...exercise, practice, eating right, etc. But there's no question that if you really want to progress it is worthwhile to actually measure progress.

The only thing I'll add on measurement is to avoid the all or nothing mindset. Don't obsess about measuring every little thing...it will become a burden and you'll spend more time measuring than DOING. Just measure a few things that are really important. You can always add later.

Again, my focus is just on DOING. For example...see if you can perform the pistol kata every day during 2020. It's ok to miss a day, just make it up the next day. Other than doing it there's not much to measure here (though there is filming...maybe I'll make a separate post on that). Perform the kata every day and you can't help but improve.

Another idea...this has nothing to do with measurement but it's something that works for me regarding diet. While I do aspire to incorporate paleo, I admit I'm not hardcore about it. I still eat/drink some things that aren't the best, but I limit myself to consuming them only when I'm REALLY craving them. For instance, I love ice cream, but I don't always CRAVE it. I won't eat it just because it's there. Ice cream can linger in my freezer a long time. It's there when I really want it, but otherwise I just stay away.

I could certainly eat better than I do but I do pretty well with this method.

[P.D.]

This is just my opinion, but quality of life is measurable by one's level of satisfaction. That is a relative and not necessiarly an acceptable measure. Some people may be satisfied being fat, lazy couch potatoes sucking the life out of a six pack of Coors and a large Domino's meat lovers pizza while the rest of us -- or at least some of us -- are satisfied being debt free, financially independent, and constantly achieving new training and fitness goals.

[Christopher Calhoun]

Excellent.

The only thing I'll add on measurement is to avoid the all or nothing mindset.


It's ok to miss a day.




I like these concepts. I don’t beat myself up if I miss a day and just make sure I pick it up the next day.



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[Oscar01]

Excellent.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't spend a lot of time measuring progress. My focus is more on just doing things...exercise, practice, eating right, etc. But there's no question that if you really want to progress it is worthwhile to actually measure progress.

The only thing I'll add on measurement is to avoid the all or nothing mindset. Don't obsess about measuring every little thing...it will become a burden and you'll spend more time measuring than DOING. Just measure a few things that are really important. You can always add later.

Again, my focus is just on DOING. For example...see if you can perform the pistol kata every day during 2020. It's ok to miss a day, just make it up the next day. Other than doing it there's not much to measure here (though there is filming...maybe I'll make a separate post on that). Perform the kata every day and you can't help but improve.

Another idea...this has nothing to do with measurement but it's something that works for me regarding diet. While I do aspire to incorporate paleo, I admit I'm not hardcore about it. I still eat/drink some things that aren't the best, but I limit myself to consuming them only when I'm REALLY craving them. For instance, I love ice cream, but I don't always CRAVE it. I won't eat it just because it's there. Ice cream can linger in my freezer a long time. It's there when I really want it, but otherwise I just stay away.


Bold what I've found very helpful for myself.


Using diet as an example, I eat about 95% of the time Paleo. As long as you're going in the right direction and making progress, that's what matters the most in my opinion. Don't sweat an off day.


While I agree that too much measuring is bad, some is quite helpful for tracking progress. Whether it's saving for another SI slide or improving deadlifts, it's helpful to track progress.


IE: Nothing saved for several months? Time to re-evaluate your spending habits.

or

Did a ton of lifting yesterday? It's fine to take an extra day off for recovery.

[Greg Nichols]

Some things I've learned about goal setting. 1) be specific, 2) put a date on it, 3) make it reachable, 4) have a stretch goal incase you meet it early. One of the reasons I track my fitness and work done is that I use the forum as an accountability buddy so I don't slack off.

You miss 100% of the goals you don't attempt. Set one and do your best, if you miss it, reset and try again. Even if you miss your goals you'll still accomplish more than if you didn't set it at all.

I miss my goals all the time, I just adjust and drive on. I either change what I'm doing or give myself more time if it's working but not as fast as I anticipated.

[Papa]

One of the reasons I track my fitness and work done is that I use the forum as an accountability buddy so I don't slack off.

Helps the rest of us, too. Maybe I can't match the numbers, but the thinking is: "Can't now, will then."

[Mr. Anthony]

There's no excuse to NOT be tracking things in this day and age--there's an app or program that someone else has already done the work on for virtually anything you want to track. Make yourself more organized and accountable.

Want to read more books? There are apps to track them.

Want to eat better/lose fat/gain muscle? There are good nutrition apps and programs.

Want to lift more weight? Find a proven lifting program and do it. Use an app or spreadsheet or just write it down in a composition book.

Want to track your business numbers and metrics? Tons of things to help with that.

Takes a small amount of research to get started; then it's just a matter of doing the work.

[henri]

Goals are variable. They can range from attaining a level of academic achievement, physical ability such as lifting x amount to running y number of miles, reading at least 2-3books/week, mastering skill set z, landing a 300 lb sailfish, whatever. In order to comfortably achieve whatever goals, the first should be, to my mind anyway, is financial independence. One must have a sufficient (non working) income stream,cash reserves, and an admirable net worth. Earning a mid to high six figure salary is of no benefit if ones reserves and net worth suffer the moment one stops working. My goal was to maintain my lifestyle if I stopped working and the salary check ceased, I was blessed (through planning,investing, long hours and hard work) to achieve this goal several years ago, making other goals more fun!