Much like in the laws of physics, certain laws in life and in any endeavor where you want to be effective will indicate what will work to cause a desired result.
STEP ONE: DETERMINE WHAT THE DESIRED RESULT IS AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
If you don't have a goal, you'll never hit it. That sounds pretty inane, but it is of absolutely vital truth.
We must aim at something or we'll wander around in the woods going nowhere, toward nothing. It also vitalizes us to create a beautiful, compelling future, so we'll want to go that direction more. (Duh! Obvious. But few pay heed to it. Those who prosper can pull out their writeup of their compelling future and show it to you any time you ask. Instead, we get obsessed with our weaknesses, dangers, fears, and keeping the status quo and go into Entropy, where our energy has nowhere to go, in a sense.)
Defined
And if you set a goal that is vague, it'll be hard to know when you've hit the target.
So, you need to define it in specific detail, in a measurable way, with a specified date of accomplishment (and perhaps mini-goals, known as milestones, to measure your progress against).
Goal: Excellent health
Too vague.
So, we ask, what measurements would determine that was in existence: B/P of less than 120/80 and a BMI of 20 (see Body Mass Index Table).
Then...
STEP TWO: MEASURE WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THERE
And what would go into arriving at that, setting measures for how to get there and how well you are getting there?
Measure the two items above each 90 days, to see how you are doing and whether you need to adjust the inputs.
Ah, the inputs that lead you to that goal might be something like:
Exercise, 30 minutes, 4 times a week, at 80% of maximum heart rate.
AND THE NECESSITY OF INITIAL TESTING
Sometimes testing yourself to see where you are at gives one a wake up call, so that one will get into gear before a severe wake-up call happens or when it is too late.
Measuring yourself to see where you are now also helps you determine the size of the gap in between where you are and where you want to go.
SEE EXAMPLES IN THE TESTS SECTION
MORE ON MEASUREMENT, FROM THE EFFECTIVENESS EXPERTS
We learn much from those who are forced into being more effective by measures such as income, such as in business. The principles are not about business but are about effectiveness in any area, especially life!!!!
From Entropy , cited as the only way out of entropy in life and repeatedhere for its general value:
Drawing attention to and measuring performance
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Jack Welch, one of the top businessman of all time, says, on Measuring Performance:
The basic purpose of any measurement system is to provide feedback, relative to your goals, that increases your chances of achieving these goals efficiently and effectively. Measurement gains true value when used as the basis for timely decisions.
The ultimate aim of implementing a performance measurement system is to improve the performance of the organization. If you can get your performance measurement right, the data you generate will tell you where you are, how you are doing, and where you are going.
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What Welch says is implemented by your setting up a measure against which to judge how you are doing. And your implementation system must include a reminder system for you to do such measures on a regular basis. At least yearly, more often for some, you'd measure everything from blood pressure, sugar metabolism, weight,
nutrition, etc. in the physical areas and do the equivalent in other areas. (See Tests And Tracking Forms section and pick which you'll use directly or for revision into what will work best for you.)
