Beyond the Numbers: Rethinking What We Measure for True Success

What gets measured gets managed, right? But is it the right thing to be measuring?

In our quest for improvement, we often rely on metrics that seem logical but may only tell part of the story. We're surrounded by numbers that claim to define our progress. But what if these measurements are leading us astray?

Here's what I mean.

Counting calories.

A glass of Pepsi (12oz) and a small portion of mixed nuts (a small handful, 25g) have roughly the same amount of calories, ~150 cals.

Using the calorie model, either option should be fine if we're managing overall weight, but for fat loss and optimizing our overall health, it doesn't hold water. For fat loss, a more accurate metric is looking at our blood sugar levels in response to the "food" we consume and using glycemic indexes to guide our decisions. More and more research on this is coming out—worth taking a look if this is of interest to you.

Test scores and a good "[institutional] education."

Test scores don't necessarily indicate the level of success in life or represent a person's true capability or capacity. Khan Academy's story shows us that while children may test poorly or progress slowly in one module, they often excel in other modules of the same subject. This reveals the limitations of standard education models. While logical and sequential, it could do better to develop true potential.

High revenue and high profit margins.

These are great indicators of a company's financial health, but in the pursuit of finding efficient and savvy ways to reduce costs, where is quality, amongst other things, being sacrificed?

When we measure things to improve upon them, guess what? We're going to see improvement! But these counter-examples are here to show that we would do ourselves a disservice if that's the only thing we measure and the only thing we look at.

Expand your "observable" universe.

As we develop systems for improvement, we should also:

1. Expand our awareness of what else is contributing to the result
2. Recognize that our measurement tools and terms are both limiting and limited

Dig a little deeper and take a look around

In expanding our awareness, a practice to try is to look at things as systems and to reconsider that what we are measuring is only part of the equation. Be curious, uncover new metrics, and develop systems that help bring other variables into the light.

For example, as it relates to calories and the goal of losing weight—or what we really mean, getting rid of fat—we need to look at other variables, such as the macronutrient composition of our food and how that interacts with our bodies.

It's known that starches (commonly known as carbohydrates) spike our blood sugar levels quicker than other macronutrients. When our blood sugar reaches too high of a level, our body releases insulin.

And what does insulin do? It stores excess blood sugar as fat. No bueno if fat loss is your goal.

Rather, eating fiber, fats, and proteins is better for keeping blood sugar at even levels—and eating them in that order…

(Everything in moderation of course! And this is not professional or health advice—just "food" for thought!)

The short of it: not every calorie is the same. Just as we use one or a few metrics to manage our progress and guide our actions, we may be missing out on critical aspects that lead to real and long-term success.

Believe it before you see it.

Our measurement tools are limiting in the sense that they put things into a box—into the realm of that term—and that they only measure what they are meant to measure. They are also limited in the sense that they can only technically measure what they're capable of.

Consider the evolution of our understanding of the size of our universe and the tools used to measure it. From less than 1000 light years in the 1600s to 93 billion light years now, our understanding and tools have grown to create a bigger picture.

There is the observable universe… and then there is THE universe!

That modifier "observable" says a lot and shows us we can only measure what we can "see" or, in other words, what we can understand.

Refine our compasses.

As we cast our net wide, we discover patterns and draw correlations. This is natural to us, but we must also be mindful that these metrics are only component parts of a greater whole.

Much like a compass, metrics point us in a direction and inspire action toward that direction. But just as in golf, even if we're facing the right direction, the slightest mis-angle of the club face can send the ball sailing way off target. And while it seemed we had lined everything up, rather than being on the green, we're somewhere in the rough.

At the end of the day, we keep moving and improving, and using metrics will help. And in our efforts to improve, we can also improve the measurements we use, determine if they are the right things to use, and be curious if there's something else we should also be looking at.

Just like our phones and computers, the operating system needs to be updated. Let's continue, and let's also open up our awareness to new understanding.

What are you measuring in your life or work?

What insights have you found that aren't often measured but contribute to a better version of success?

Hello!

I’m John Gonzales, and I’m like you—just doing my part.

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