Indicators of Success

I wrote in an earlier post about the definition of success.  In this post I'm not going to focus on what success means but rather on those things which are the measures used to gauge the progress toward success.  If you have defined success in terms of money, or property, etc., what I'm talking about are the indicators you will watch to determine whether or not you are approaching your goal. 

Everything we do is an indication of something.  Finding the right indicators and then paying attention to them is what differentiates success from failure.  Let's look at a goal of being physically fit.  You may define that by a specific weight, or certain body dimensions or BMI or the ability to achieve defined athletic goals or any combination of the above or more.  Indicators which would lead to success might include measuring caloric intake, or fat intake, or exercise, along a path that will lead eventually to success.  For instance, you might set a goal of losing five pounds in weight.  As you track your caloric intake, nutrition, etc, you will be able to see yourself either proceed toward or away from your goal.  Not tracking these indicators can provide the illusion of success, while in reality you are going the opposite direction.  Those who are serious about achieving success will not just define success, but will also identify which indicators are most likely to identify progress toward that success. 

The indicators should be limited to as few as possible which will provide the necessary guidance.  Having too many indicators overburdens the mind's ability to stay focused and actually detracts from the possibility of success.  As an example, one author I read said that studies have shown (this is what everyone says but hardly anyone ever checks the studies) that those who have been most successful in consistently losing and keeping weight off have two patterns of behavior (I will call these indicators): they drink a glass of milk each day and weight themselves each day.  Two things - not a dozen.  The right indicators, once identified can place success within reach.