People often assume that success, achievement and making big changes in your life can only happen with “big breakthroughs” or big wins. You’re going to nail that big presentation, land that big client, win that big award. You’re going to dramatically improve your work performance and leadership skills “just because” you’ve set an ambitious goal and you know it’s what you want. You’re aware of the change you want to make, and you’re ready to take that big leap forward.
Ready for a hard truth? Awareness doesn’t change behavior. Measurement does.
You can have the biggest “aha!” moment of your life at 2 a.m. and still hit snooze the next morning. (Ask me how I know.)
That’s why Marshall Goldsmith teaches micro-measurements — tiny, daily check-ins that keep you honest. Without micro-measurements, you can have all the awareness in the world, all the ambition necessary to get big breakthroughs, and still fall short of your goals. Micro-measurements give you something more powerful than awareness: accountability.
Micro-measurements sound like:
- “Did I listen today?”
- “Did I make eye contact during meetings?”
- “Did I appreciate someone?”
- “Did I take care of myself?”
- “Did I reach out to a former colleague?”
- “Did I take a small step toward my next big opportunity?”
Easy, right? But here’s the magic: when you track something daily, it starts to matter. The more you measure, the more you care, and the more your brain goes, “Oh, so this is who we are now.” Micro-measurements can reshape your behavior by re-training your brain in small, persistent, everyday ways.
Marshall has coached hundreds of CEOs, and this is the secret behind all their success. Not the yachts. Not the corner offices or the big splash headlines or industry accolades. Just daily accountability — small, boring, relentless.
So try it for one week. Pick one question. Write it down. Score yourself 1–10 each night.
Warning: it’s weirdly addictive. Micro-measurements are so powerful because they happen quietly, behind the scenes. When you’re alone with yourself and make an honest effort to hold yourself accountable, you’ll go beyond simple “awareness” to “achievement.”
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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