We live in a society addicted to measurements. Most of us are constantly measuring something: pounds we weigh, pounds we have lost, percentage bodyfat, calories consumed, miles run, poundage lifted, push-up's executed. And there are certainly times when this measuring can make a difference. If you are overweight and need to lose 20 or 30 or 50 pounds, then measuring portions might be exactly the tool you need to employ to get the job done. If you are training for a marathon, it is vital to know how many miles you are currently able to run. If you want to get stronger, then you have to read the numbers on the ends of the barbells and make them go up.
But you may not be in any of those situations.
I believe some people are naturally more motivated by numbers. My husband, Mr. Balancing Act, is one such creature. He loves to make charts and graphs. He plots his progress on all different kinds of goals from fitness to financial. He can thus compare his progress to how much he made or gained or lifted last year or last month. He can also get online and compare his times or his averages with loads of others who are working toward similar goals. Do you get excited when you think about charts and graphs? You may also be a numbers person. In this case, measuring might push you to accomplish your goals in an effective and helpful way.
But I recently read an article arguing against just this exact phenomenon. Untrack: Letting Go of the Stress of Measuring by Leo Babauta (see dailygood.org for full article) suggests that by ceasing to constantly measure our progress, we can instead just enjoy the ride. I think this theory has its merits, too.
One of his points is that there are many factors which we value deeply that are unmeasurable. How can we gauge the exact amount of joy we feel when we kayak through the ripples on a lake? Maybe we can measure the amount of calories burned on the hike to the top of the mountain, but that number tells us nothing about the view, the breeze on our faces, the conversation we had on the way up. Yes, I think it is true that we can focus too much on just the numbers, or the things we can measure, and forget about the great value of all those unmeasurables.
If measuring is working for you and brings you information that you can use to further your goals, then I see no need for you to give it up. But if measuring is taking all the joy out of your experience of life, boot your stopwatch! Chuck your Timex! And feel the wind in your hair!
But you may not be in any of those situations.
I believe some people are naturally more motivated by numbers. My husband, Mr. Balancing Act, is one such creature. He loves to make charts and graphs. He plots his progress on all different kinds of goals from fitness to financial. He can thus compare his progress to how much he made or gained or lifted last year or last month. He can also get online and compare his times or his averages with loads of others who are working toward similar goals. Do you get excited when you think about charts and graphs? You may also be a numbers person. In this case, measuring might push you to accomplish your goals in an effective and helpful way.
But I recently read an article arguing against just this exact phenomenon. Untrack: Letting Go of the Stress of Measuring by Leo Babauta (see dailygood.org for full article) suggests that by ceasing to constantly measure our progress, we can instead just enjoy the ride. I think this theory has its merits, too.
One of his points is that there are many factors which we value deeply that are unmeasurable. How can we gauge the exact amount of joy we feel when we kayak through the ripples on a lake? Maybe we can measure the amount of calories burned on the hike to the top of the mountain, but that number tells us nothing about the view, the breeze on our faces, the conversation we had on the way up. Yes, I think it is true that we can focus too much on just the numbers, or the things we can measure, and forget about the great value of all those unmeasurables.
If measuring is working for you and brings you information that you can use to further your goals, then I see no need for you to give it up. But if measuring is taking all the joy out of your experience of life, boot your stopwatch! Chuck your Timex! And feel the wind in your hair!
Comments
Post a Comment
Please share your helpful questions and comments here! Thanks for being part of this balanced community!