Manage Yourself with Measures

In 2007 I read 31 novels.

In 2008 I read 19 novels.

In 2009 I read 12 novels.

In 2010 I read 8 novels.

Do you know how I know? It’s because I keep track of the books I read. It’s easy. Only a matter of writing down the title and author after I finished a book.

This year I intend to reverse the trend. I want to read more novels. How do I know if I succeed? Because I measure the throughput.

“You cannot manage what you don’t measure.”

Today I went to see the doctor. For a week I’ve been having trouble with my legs. I feared my blood circulation was out to kill me. I told the doctor that both my grandfathers died early of heart problems, and last year a regular blood/heart check up saved my father from certain death.

So the doctor decided to sample my blood. Do you know what they’re going to do with it? They’re going to perform all kinds of tests and metrics on it.

“You cannot manage what you don’t measure.”

After publishing this post, I’m going out for a walk. Because I didn’t do a spectacular job of maintaining my fitness last year. And I intend to improve on that. Can you guess what I’ll be taking with me? Indeed, I have a tracking app on my phone. I use it so I know how much I walked.

“You cannot manage what you don’t measure.”

After my walk I will settle down in my favorite café.

With a novel.