Day 11 is about the value of how to measure your progress along the way. Are you ready to move forward?
Often, it is hard to see slow progress. Measuring change and recording it to review later can help you see that you are actually making progress. Feeling like you are making progress can help you feel like you may reach your goal if you keep going. Without concrete measurements, you might not realize you are truly getting somewhere. Every baby step is progress. Let’s look at the value of measuring your progress along the way, how you can do measure it, and why that works.
About Measuring Your Progress
When it comes to goals, measurement is any method that identifies progress or lack thereof. Therefore, it makes sense that your units or ways will vary depending upon your specific goal. How often you note your progress will also be tied to the specific goal. Some things will be best measured sporadically, as progress is expected to come slowly. Others can be examined on a more regular basis, such as weekly because the change is more noticeable. It is important to get a handle on the general type of measurements you will want to take.
Why Measure Your Progress
Measuring your goal lets you see whether you have made a dent, are at a standstill, or if you have fallen behind. This information is useful in helping you to make or adjust a plan of action for getting back on track. Your measurements act as your guide toward reaching your goal. They give you a realistic “big picture” as to how you’re doing along the way. Without any type of progress indicator, you may find yourself lost in overwhelm or thinking you are doing better than you are. Both of these scenarios can lead to not reaching your goals.
How to Measure Your Progress
Let’s look at just a few ways you may wish to measure your goal’s progress. As noted earlier, each goal will have a different unit of measure and method of measurement. Deciding upon these isn’t necessarily difficult, but it is important to give the matter some thought ahead of time. When possible, it’s good to use a quantitative measurement.
Qualitative Measurement
Sometimes you can’t find a quantitative measurement and you need measure by task or plan completion. Therefore you can start by setting up a daily, weekly or monthly activity list for tasks you need to complete in order to reach your goal. After that check off each activity as it is done, and you can easily see if you are on track. Meanwhile, other record-keeping methods are good, too, for certain types of goals. Beyond tracking pounds lost or dollars saved, you might also wish to record observations. If you are working toward having a more positive attitude each day, keeping a diary or journal is useful in viewing your progress regarding such abstract concepts.
I hope these suggestions have given you some food for thought and that you now understand the benefits of measurement in goal setting and are feeling more confident in the process.
Why Do We Make Resolutions – Day 1
The Importance of Setting Goals – Day 2
Difference Between Goals and Resolutions – Day 3
Why Resolutions Often Don’t Work – Day 4
Combining Resolutions with Good Goals Is the Key to Long-Term Success – Day 5
How to Make Resolutions Stick – Day 6
Are You Making Smart Goals – Day 7
How Habits and Routines Can Help You Stick to Your Resolutions – Day 8
Don’t Go It Alone – The Value of a Support System – Day 9
Motivation Is Key – Keeping Your “Why” Front and Center – Day 10
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