You guys have heard me talk before about the importance of having a daily success metric. Metrics in a business are commonly called Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs.
When you’re trying to think of a number like that, one important thing to remember is that it should be a number you have direct control over. It should be something that you should directly be able to change, without having to rely on other people.
It can be tempting to pick a lofty goal, but remember: the key to a good KPI is that it’s a realistic objective that you can achieve on a clearly defined cycle (such as daily, or weekly). When you hit your metric, you will be rewarded by your brain with dopamine. If you feel good about doing your job, you’ll keep doing it. Each time you fail to hit your objective, your brain will create cortisol and you’ll hate getting up every day.
That’s a choice you (we) can make. Why not choose to enjoy your work?