What Gets Measured Gets Done. Or Does It?

measuring something gives you the information you need in order to make sure you actually achieve what you set out to do.

The term “eustress” refers to “good stress,” or the opposite of distress, and captures that healthy response to stress we have when something is attainable, but almost too far out of research.

Research shows that the desire to win is heightened when rivalry and time pressure coincide, and the simple act of measuring something sparks that sense of rivalry in many people.

Without a measure, there is no way to determine whether you have won, and therefore, less motivation to get something done.

Then there’s that small matter of accountability. When we set goals and measure performance against that goal we have the ability to hold ourselves (and others) accountable for the resulting success or failure.

A performance metric tells you how well the activities are performing that have been determined as the most likely to positively impact the outcome.