The power of small, consistent changes

When trying to make important changes in our life, the desired state often appears to require an insurmountable change in order to get there. So we change our minds about its attractiveness or relevance to make ourselves feel better, or procrastinate and feel bad because we don't know where or how to start.

It starts here, now. 

Just figure out the direction of change (it doesn't have to be precise, adjustments can come later), and what is one simple action that you can do today that will take you one step closer, and commit to doing it every day. 

For example, 

Starting with holding yourself in the plank pose for one second, and adding one more second every day, will take you to a one-minute plank in 2 months.

Or, reading 2 pages of a book each day = completing a 300-page book in 5 months.

Don't wait, just start.

Inspired by James Clear. 

Impact vs metrics

What impact are you making? 

While input or effort can easily be measured, for the knowledge worker it is nearly irrelevant as a measure of performance. Instead, performance has to be measured based on the outcome of one's effort. The impact of whatever you've done. 

That typically marks the beginning of the pursuit of metrics. The number of clicks/views/downloads, open rates, follower numbers, and so on. While they are indicators of reach and have value being monitored as such, these metrics should not be confused with actual impact. As a result of what we've done, how many people changed their minds? How many took an action that is impossible for us to observe? 

As we go about our day-to-day and the inevitable metrics that come with it, it's useful to give pause and consider the true impact of what we do. That something cannot be measured does not reduce its importance. 

Is there a reliable measure of your impact? If there isn't, how do you know? 

Inspired by Seth Godin: https://seths.blog/2021/05/insignificant-digits/