"You are wrong again!"

[ no response ]

"I told you yesterday and last week that this is not what I expect!" raising my voice even louder.

[ still no response ]

"Look, I thought we had an understanding.  You are really disappointing me, and we may need to make a change.  And, it's not going to be pretty!"

[ silence ]

Suddenly, I hear my wife's voice from the adjacent room.

"Are you yelling at the bathroom scale again?"

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At work and life outside of work, we have many measurements that tell us how we are doing, what's going on and where we are going.  From the indicator lights on our car dashboard, to our financial statements at work, to a smile on a customer's face, to even our bathroom scales, measurements are there to guide us and help us better understand what is going well, and what could be better.

But measurements can only go so far.

In order to understand the meaning behind a flashing indicator light, a color, a number, a smile, we need to take the time to understand what this measurement is telling us, and ask ourselves some tough questions -

• If this measurement continues, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
• How does this measurement coincide with similar measurements?
• Do I need to change my behavior, strategic plan, or diet because of this measurement?
• If anyone else saw this measurement, would they be applauding or in shock?
• Does this mean a new beginning, more of the same, or is the end near?

The questions go on and on.   But that's a good thing!

Measurements are present in our lives to raise awareness,  influence our behaviors, and help us make better, more consistent decisions. As the saying goes -- 

"Don't tell me what you think.  Tell me what you know."

Measurements are indications of what "is" and what "is not."  How the measurement will change for the better or worse ... well, that's up to you.

Until Next Friday,