How do metrics impact our wellness?
We live in a society obsessed with metrics, data, numbers. People track their steps (I'm guilty), count their calories, and obsess over their social media likes and followers (not guilty). While there are undeniable benefits to collecting and interpreting data, mostly so we can improve and progress, the constant focus on metrics can also have significant downsides, particularly when it comes to our overall mental health and wellness.
Metrics can be a significant source of stress and anxiety. When we become fixated on attaining a number or stressing out when we don't get that number, we may lose sight of the bigger picture and start sacrificing our emotional and mental health in the process. For example, if we're solely focused on meeting a daily step goal, we may ignore our body's signals that we're actually tired and need to rest. Or perhaps in an effort to reach a specific goal, we give all our time to a project and fail to realize we haven't spent any meaningful quality time with our loved ones or ourselves.
Every time I log on to LinkedIn on my computer, there is a little section callled Analytics and tools right at the top left that lets me know how my post impressions have been over the last week. I spent the last ten minutes trying to figure out how to turn it off. (If you know how please let me know!) I don't want to know my post impressions. I don't like the feeling that occurrs when I see a green percentage increase one day and then a red percentage decrease another day. I want to post things that make me happy, allow me to celebrate mine and others' accomplishments, engage in interesting conversations and connect with people. Some people require metrics and are very focused on measurable growth and that's fine.
But what would it look like to do things, simply because you want too, because you enjoy doing them, because you know it impacts someone on a personal, emotional level. What metrics do we have in place for that? Do you know what my metric is? With my articles, I ask myself, am I putting out content that I would want to read? Content that would add value or knowledge to my life or cause to me to pause, think, reflect and maybe even make a shift? Can this be of benefit to one person on the planet? Two people this week told me they had read my last article and it really resonated with them and they appreciated what I had to say. That's the only metric I need to keep going.
When we obsess over metrics, we often fall into the trap of comparing ourselves, our accomplishments and even our phsyical appearance to others. This can lead to feelings of jealousy and feeling like we're not worthy enough, not valuable enough which can take a severe toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing. This is especially apparent in social media where everyone's highlight reel is on full display. When posting work related accomplishments, I ask myself, am I posting them to show off or compare myself to others or to be relevant and seen? Or am I posting to celebrate and recognize my hard work and the joy that comes with serving others from my calling and while living out my purpose?
I long ago stopped caring about likes, followers etc. It was easy as I had gotten rid of social media for years and didn't miss it at all. Now that I'm stepping back ever so lightly into the world of social media, only to support my current work, I remind myself to stay grounded to chasing impact and purpose and nothing else. I have notifications turned off for all platforms and yes sometimes it means I miss a comment or have a delayed response, but I'm okay with that. I trust that the universe will bring for me, what's for me. It's far more important for me to prioritize my mental wellness and stay aligned to the things that matter to me.
Metrics are only one piece of the puzzle and for me, they are one of the last pieces to complete the picture. Start with the puzzle pieces that matter most to you based on what success is to you and ask yourselves, what metrics can measure that success. By developing a more holistic approach to how we look at metrics, what the metrics say and why they matter to us, we can cultivate a greater sense of wellbeing, alignment and fulfillment in our lives.
