Measure It to Master It—The Secret of High Achievers
There’s no motivation quite like visible progress. The problem is that most of us don’t set a baseline, so we don’t know if we’re making progress or not. Here’s how to change that.
Picture this: I’m at the gym, ready for my first session with a new trainer. I’m pumped to lift some heavy weights and get after it.
But instead of heading to the bench press, my trainer pulls out a tape measure, a scale, and—to my horror—a camera.
“What’s all this for?’ I ask, eyeing the camera warily.
His response? “Michael, if we don’t know where you’re starting, how will we know if you’re improving?”
Boom. Of course.
He wasn’t just taking measurements. He was establishing my baseline—the foundation for all future progress.
And you know what? It worked. Those “before” photos might have been uncomfortable, but they became my secret weapon. Every time I felt like quitting, I’d look at them and see how far I’d come.
That’s when I realized: Progress doesn’t start with effort. It starts with an honest assessment.
The High Cost of Guesswork
Here’s the truth: Without a clear starting point, you’re just throwing darts in the dark.
Sure, you might hit the bullseye occasionally. But more often than not, you’ll miss the board entirely.
And that’s a recipe for frustration.
Think about it. How can you celebrate a 10% increase in your savings if you don’t know what you started with? How can you improve your relationships if you’re not clear on where they stand today?
You can’t. At least, not in any meaningful way.
That’s why establishing your baseline is crucial. It’s not just about knowing where you are. It’s about charting a clear path to where you want to be.
Progress doesn’t start with effort. It starts with an honest assessment.
Why You Need a 360-Degree View
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Your life isn’t just one area. It’s a complex tapestry of different domains—your health, your relationships, your career, and more.
And they’re all connected.
Think of it like a spider’s web. Touch one strand, and the whole web vibrates. Improve your physical health, and watch your energy at work skyrocket. Neglect your relationships, and see how it impacts your mental well-being.
We know this from the research. Financial stress can lead to poor mental health, which in turn affects physical health, relationships, and job performance.
Conversely, improvements in one area often create positive ripple effects. For instance, regular exercise has been shown to boost not just physical health, but also cognitive function and mood.
That’s why a holistic baseline is so powerful. It gives you a 360-degree view of your life, showing you not just where you excel, but where you need to focus.
Your Personal Roadmap: The LifeScore™ Assessment
So, how do you get this holistic baseline? Enter the LifeScore Assessment.
This free tool evaluates nine key life domains:
Body: Your physical health, fitness, and overall well-being.
Mind: Your mental acuity, learning, and cognitive function.
Spirit: Your sense of purpose, values, and spiritual practices.
Love: Your romantic relationships and intimate connections.
Family: Your relationships with immediate and extended family members.
Community: Your social connections and involvement in your local area.
Money: Your financial health, income, savings, and financial planning.
Work: Your career, professional development, and job satisfaction.
Hobbies: Your personal interests, recreational activities, and creative pursuits.
Each of these domains plays a crucial role in your overall life satisfaction and success. By assessing and improving each area, you can work towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.
In just a few minutes, you’ll get a comprehensive snapshot of where you stand today. It’s like a personal roadmap, showing you exactly where you are and illuminating the path to where you want to go.
But here’s the real power: With this baseline, you can track your progress over time. You’ll see, in black and white, how your efforts are paying off. And trust me, there’s no motivation quite like visible progress.
Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Take the LifeScore Assessment today. It’s free, it’s fast, and it might just be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.
The Workbench
This week, I want to spotlight a tool that’s revolutionized my productivity: NotePlan.
NotePlan has become my go-to app, replacing several tools I used to juggle daily. It’s a powerhouse that combines task management, calendaring, and note-taking into one sleek package.
What sets NotePlan apart?
Incredible customizability: Tailor it to your unique workflow.
Seamless integration: Works beautifully with my Full Focus Planner.
All-in-one solution: Replaces multiple apps, streamlining your digital life.
If you’re looking to simplify your productivity system without sacrificing power, give NotePlan a try. It’s been a productivity catalyst for me, and I think it could be for you too.
Want to dive deeper? Check out the Mac Power Users podcast episode that explores NotePlan’s features in detail.
In pursuit of the Double Win,
Michael Hyatt
Founder & Chairman
Full Focus
P.S. Hungry for more insights on winning at work and succeeding at life? Tune into The Double Win Show, the podcast I host with my daughter (and Full Focus CEO) Megan Hyatt Miller. We interview bestselling authors who are living the Double Win, offering you practical strategies to thrive in every area of your life. Check it out. It would mean a lot to me if you would rate it and provide a brief review.