Years ago, I worked in a law firm and we had to keep track of the hours we spent on each case in order to appropriately bill the client.  Someone in the accounting department  would take care of the “metrics” or the “measurements” of the firm’s goals with respect to financial stability and revenue.  Now, I work in a job now where metrics are the responsibility of all.  Each group is responsible for setting and meeting goals that are measurable.

A business metric is any type of measurement used to gauge some quantifiable component of a company’s performance.  Metrics are somewhat  important to keep the company on track, retain employees, and meet objectives in order to be successful or profitable.

Martial arts generally have a belt ranking system, which is sort of like a metric.  Students must meet a certain level of proficiency and the goals set forth, in order to proceed through the colored belts. During each class they work toward personal goals, too.  Getting stronger, more fit, more confident, and more agile.  They may need to test in front of others to make sure their perceived level of proficiency is accurate and accepted.  The reward is the new belt they are handed at the end of the test. The belt is the measurement of their achievement.

While metrics can’t really be applied to life, I bet there are some ways that you measure your life, too.  Do you wonder if your accomplishments and tasks are worthwhile or if they really mean anything to anyone?  What about age milestones?  Do you see them with joy or discouragement?  Does aging feel like a “metric” that’s completely out of control and unwanted?  Do you feel as if you are as good as other people?  Do you constantly compare yourself to others?

The good news is that how you measure yourself is up to you.  Well, it is only good news if you choose to focus on the positive, such as ambitions, hopes, and dreams.  If you concentrate on the positive then you will increase your appreciation and admiration for your life.  You will find yourself achieving what you once thought was  not achievable.

If you focus on your faults, you will measure your life negatively and never feel whole.  If you decide to compare yourself to others, you will have difficulty meeting your own requirements.  On occasion.  I think, “she is younger than me and making a lot more money,” or, “I’d look like that, too, if I had more time to work out.”  It really isn’t an accurate measurement of me.  I need to focus on what I’m doing, where I’m going, and how I am progressing.

What others do really doesn’t matter because the true measurement of you can be only be measured…by you.

Wasting time conjecturing on how you compare to others, unless you are trying to emulate a successful person by following some key traits and suggestions, is the wrong direction.  You will never measure up.  Someone is always smarter, stronger, richer, or better.  What you need to do instead is review your life with optimism.  Remind yourself of some of your efforts and measure your life based on what you do well or what you enjoy.  If that’s lacking, then it’s time to re-calibrate your goals.

There is only one you.  Right there you’ve met the highest achievement in originality, individuality, and uniqueness.  That is a heck of a start!

Perhaps you do not notice how important you are to the world around you, to your family and friends.  It’s hard to gauge that sometimes.  You play a role that cannot be replaced because there is only one you.  Even if you fit into a broad category, like a parent, an employee, or a student, you are not the same kind of person as others in the group.  It is easy to forget that you can encourage and inspire others; but, that’s exactly what you can do and what you should do.  In return, your life will be measured by the blessings you give and receive.

I was one of several paralegals in the law firm where I worked.  I admit, it was hard to “stand out” when we were all given similar opportunities.  There was one way I managed to find a niche and that was through a particular combination of diligence, and being positive,  consistent, and courteous.  I remember my boss saying one day,in surprise,”you really do care about what you’re doing…” It was as if he rarely worked with someone who had ambition or took pride in her work. I realized that day how important it was for me to be an example of what a good paralegal should be.

There is no particular list you can make that will highlight every accomplishment you make along the way.  The metrics of life are a lot like the journey of a karate student.  Clearly, skills can be measured, but there are many other “unmeasurable” experiences that happen.  In martial arts milestones happen along the way, but at different times for each student.

How long will it take for the student to:

• feel comfortable in class
• take his first test
• understand and apply concepts
• learn how to spar
• become a teacher
• get a black belt
• stick with it
• quit
• learn how to tie his belt
• break a board
• compete
• feel confident
• learn self-control

There are generalizations, but each karate student is different.  Each brings self-restrictions and doubts to class.  On his first day of class, he is hoping to learn great karate moves and techniques. Instead, he discovers that he has no attention span, is out of shape, or has never learned how to stare someone in the eye with intense focus. It is a catharsis of sorts; a moment when he decides if he is willing to take on the challenge, make the most of it, and succeed.

Life works the same way.  Each day is a new chance to find yourself, to learn, to become an updated version of the old you.  Day one is not the right day to start measuring anything; but, it is the best day to begin.  Begin what?  Anything.  Everything.  What you’ve always wanted to do.  Who you’ve always wanted to be.  Where you’ve always wanted to go.  Each day is the beginning of a new timeline.  It’s so very important to recognize a beginning as a good thing and to not pocket it as a hindrance or a difficulty.  Beginnings are what bring about necessary change and over time they evolve into great accomplishments or realizations.  Incremental measurements are difficult to define while in progress, but the bigger picture, long-term definitions start to reveal themselves over time.

Consider these examples of how Day One of something evolves over time into something positive and rewarding.  Think about your new beginnings and how they may fall into place:

Day one of something:

Karate:  Karate student enters the dojo, uncertain, uncomfortable, hoping he won’t look like a fool.  How many times in life have you felt this way?

Job:  Stressful, confusing, and unsettling, but exciting and meaningful.

New Romance:  Completely uneasy, worth a try, hopeful.

Week one of something:

Karate student:  Karate student now understands when to bow, when to yell, and how class is typically organized.  How do you feel  after week one of your new situation?

Job:  At the job, you know where the coffee is, your desk has a few papers on it, you can’t remember a single name of anyone, but it looks like everyone gets along.  Week one in school, you’ve figured out the teacher is rather boring.  You will have a lot of assignments to complete.

Relationship:  Your relationship with the potential girlfriend/boyfriend feels a little shaky and uncertain.

Month one of Something:

Karate student:  Karate student feels more comfortable.  Other students are nice and share insights now.  Movements feel a little more natural; hitting  the bag and yelling are really fun.

Job: The new job has training and there’s a closet of snacks available to all.  You’ve finally connected with another employee with whom you can eat lunch or chat during break time.

Relationship: The romantic relationship isn’t working perhaps.  Surely another will develop at some point in time.

Year one: 

Karate student:  Karate student has advanced through ranks and has a belt that represents his efforts.  He actually helps stretch the class on occasion and teach younger students.

Job:  The new job feels great and fluent.  You are learning and contributing and your insights are valued.

Relationship:  The right person came along and the new relationship has been steady for months now and feels just right.  Things are working out.

Lifetime:

Karate student:  The karate student is now a lifelong practitioner.  He incorporates martial arts into his whole being, his lifestyle, his mindset and his goals.

Job/Career:  You have had a few jobs over the years, some good, some bad; but, you’ve landed a decent career.

Relationship:  You’ve cultivated a great relationship with lasting love.

These are just examples of how good things in your life can become wonderful milestones.  Is there a guarantee that if you stay a karate student forever, land a decent career, or find a great relationship that you’ll be content and happy?  Not unless you work on how to be happy, too.

Life is a work in progress.  There’s no metric to keep it flowing in a positive, valuable direction; that is up to you.

Calculate Over Time

There is no monetary value to personal achievements or personal relationships.  There are no spreadsheets to track the work you’ve done or assessments to value the worth of your life.  Your life is full of potential and it is also full of activities, thoughts, and passions that are not able to be measured, but are significant and valuable.

The thing about business metrics is that they are calculated over time.  You set the goal first, then you diligently work toward the goal, and you measure it.  You will not always reach 100% of the goal.  At times it is 75% or 50% or 95%.  The important thing is that you had a focus on achievement.  If you are lazy, you can expect lazy results.  If you hit the mark, then you can be proud that you contributed to the success of your business team and the growth of its culture.

No karate student feels the same on “day one” or after a “lifetime” as any other.  I cannot clump them all into one category because they tread their own track. The path each travels has similar twists and turns, but none travel in the same direction all the time.

There is no way to compare the value and dedication and commitment in your life with another’s life.   Your life is not a metric but it is made up of moments that exemplify who you are.  If you are waiting for “success” to strike in your life, keep in mind that as you learn, you will advance.  For instance, if you learn from your mistakes, you won’t make them again and that will move you ahead on the “living a good life” game board.  If you study hard, you will make good grades.  If you set an example, you will advance in your job.  If you give a relationship attention, it will thrive.  There is no hard, fast deadline for any of these things.

Still hoping for that job advancement?

Still learning a trade or skill?

Still waiting for the right person to come alone in your life?

Just keep being you.  Don’t create barriers, or your own metric based on what you expect life to be.  It simply cannot be measured like that.  Take each day as it comes and be assured that it will pay off.  You are the only “you” and there is no comparison that will ever make sense.

Today, fortunately, is another beginning.  Measure its worth in the fact that you are living and breathing with good opportunities and experiences waiting for you right outside your door.  The world is a big place and surely you can count the number of people who live in it, but you can never calculate their impact, their lasting impressions, or their contributions.  The same for you.  You can never sum up your impact in the world, but it is sizable and important.

You.  Different than all the rest.  Unique and talented.   A life with limitless calculations.

Metrics works in business world.  Life, on the other hand, is measured by the powerful value of you.

To me, you measure up just fine and that is… Winning at Life.

Andrea