7 steps to measure progress without looking at your bank account
Measure the quiet metrics that keep both you and your business moving forward.
At first, losing weight felt like just a clear, number-driven goal to hit - lose 100 pounds.
After 90 days, 70 of those were behind me. I was almost there. But just when I thought those other 30 were around the corner, life said:
🗣️ PLOT TWIST
A routine dental visit ended in a complication that meant me having to take oral steroids, causing me to gain some of the weight back. And just like that, my progress hit a wall.
I clawed my way back, shed those few pounds I’d regained, but still felt some kinda way that I hadn’t done what I said I would do. Even with 70 pounds gone, I was feeling like a failure.
Then came a 5-hour flight from Seattle to Atlanta.
At my heavier weight, I’d always needed a seatbelt extender. Boarding the plane, I started to ask the flight attendant for one, out of habit.
Then, in that exact moment, I realized I didn’t need one anymore. One of the best non-scale victories ever!
Did you know that only 20% of people stick with a major lifestyle change beyond the first three months?
But those who track multiple indicators of progress – not just one metric – are more likely to succeed long-term. When you’re building a business alongside your 9-5, revenue is always the obvious scorecard.
But it’s not the only one that counts.
Quick money wins make it easy to stick to the business when your 9-5 and other life obligations are overwhelming you. On the flip side, when it takes you a little longer to make money than others, the discouragement can make you stop 3 feet from gold. By focusing only on income, you’re missing the growth happening under the surface - the same way I was missing all the real changes happening with my body when I was only focusing on the number on the scale.
Think about it.
The cash might not be stacking up right away, but you’re figuring out how to manage time better, sharpening skills that make you more valuable in the marketplace, and building systems to keep things on track even as your business scales. These are the quiet wins that don’t always show up in your bank account right away.
Here’s how to use my C.L.A.R.I.T.Y. Framework to create a system for measuring non-monetary success that keeps you focused on long-term growth:
C – Choose 3 Core Metrics: Start by defining three non-financial ways to measure your business’s success. This could be anything that resonates with your vision, like customer feedback, skill development, or audience engagement.
L – Layout Your Growth Metrics: Once you’ve chosen your metrics, decide how you’ll measure progress in each. Think specific and measurable—like tracking customer retention, personal efficiency improvements, or social media engagement.
A – Arrange a Simple Tracking Method: Build a system to track these metrics. Use a spreadsheet, journal, or an app - whatever keeps things simple and easy to update. The goal is to make tracking feel natural.
R – Review Regularly: Set up regular check-ins, like weekly or monthly, to review each metric. Ask yourself if these areas still align with your goals, and adjust as needed.
I – Integrate Into Daily Work: Make these metrics part of your everyday routine. Place reminders where you’ll see them or add them to your task list. When these metrics are front and center, you’re more likely to stay on track.
T – Test and Tweak: As you grow, periodically reassess. Are these metrics still meaningful, or is it time to evolve? A quarterly or annual review helps ensure you’re always focused on what matters most.
Y – Yearly Reflection: Dedicate time once a year to look back and evaluate your long-term growth. It’s a deeper reflection that shows you how far you’ve come and helps reset for the next stage.
Why This Works
Focusing on multiple indicators of success keeps you going when it seems like everyone else is running circles around you.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It:
You’ll be able to see meaningful growth beyond the numbers, which keeps motivation high and burnout low.
Tracking and reviewing non-monetary metrics keeps you on course, even during challenging phases.
By recognizing growth in different areas, you’re not just inching forward - you’re building a sturdy foundation that reinforces your ability to handle the next challenge.
“Don’t let money define you. The person you become along the way is just as valuable.”
Your Turn
Identify three non-monetary ways your business is growing that you haven’t been tracking yet. What progress have you already been making that isn’t about income?
When you focus on more than just the dollars, you’ll start seeing all the ways you and your business are growing, on the way to the cash.
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