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What happens when you combine tapping into motivation with tracking metrics?

I recently had an eye-opening, firsthand experience of merging motivation (the force that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors) with metrics (the measurements of progress). This story, however, is not a business case. It comes from the experience of breaking my wrist just a week before I was scheduled to go to Portugal.

After receiving several x-rays and medical consultations, the best path forward became clear 鈥� I needed to forgo the international trip for surgery. (I admit briefly wondering if the surgery could be performed in Portugal!) The short-term possibility of go-to-Portugal-and-deal-with-the-injury-when-I-return was incredibly enticing because I wasn鈥檛 in great pain, but my long-term goal of maintaining an active lifestyle required a discipline I did not know I had.

The injury meant that my yet-to-begin climbing season was put on hold. The best I could hope for was a return to climbing in time for my Grand Teton, Wyoming adventure at the end of summer.

Just a week after surgery I began my weekly occupational therapy journey. The first question the occupational therapist (OT) asked me was: 鈥淲hat do you want to get back to?鈥� Without hesitation I answered, 鈥渃limbing.鈥� I explained that my climbing partners and I had a coveted permit to climb in the Grand Tetons at the end of August. She wrote in my chart: 鈥�90-Day Plan: Climb the Grand.鈥�

It was a stretch, but my team of OTs did not dismiss my dreams. Instead, they leveraged my motivation to shape my recovery strategy.

The OT professionals took all kinds of range-of-motion measurements, and later, strength measurements. The first numbers posted in my electronic chart were my baseline. The instructions noted that any improvements would be captured in bold.

At the beginning of my second OT session, they were about to take the next round of measurements. I told her I was 鈥済oing for bold.鈥� In just one week, there was quantifiable progress! The initial exercises were simple, but hard. The OTs鈥� instruction: if it is merely uncomfortable, do more; if it is painful, cease the exercise.

Each week the OT would examine my progress and provide new exercises customized to the function of climbing. Each week my range of motion and strength metrics improved.

The surge of satisfaction that came from seeing the next round of numbers, posted in bold, fueled hope and enthusiasm. It also fueled something else: my determination to do the work. I have had physical therapy exercises for injuries sustained in the past. Truth be told, I was never great at completing them. This time it was different. I had a clear goal, on an ambitious timeline, that required my full commitment. I had a team of OT professionals who had bought into my goal, believed it was possible, provided the resources necessary to be successful, and shared in the celebration of my wins.

In early August it was time to put the wrist to a real-world test: bouldering at the rock gym with my buddy Jason. I was tentative as I made my first couple of moves, but soon was awash with the joy of climbing again. I was back! The following week: roped climbing outdoors. My objective: Beacon Rock. Again, I was tentative to trust the left-hand placements, but pitch after pitch my confidence grew. (Thank you, Paul, for your patient belays!). Now I needed endurance. My climbing partner Bob joined me at the gym for climbing laps; Jerry joined me on the bouldering traverse wall at Rocky Butte.

Healing has been a collaborative effort. The weekly OT sessions served as an accountability guidepost. My friends, climbing partners, neighbors, and colleagues have been encouraging supporters. I am focused and determined to get strong. I respect the sense of urgency required to be ready for backcountry climbing in less than two weeks.

How does all this relate to your organization鈥檚 health?

If you want motivated employees, you need to be a motivated leader. Understanding what makes you tick can unlock your potential 鈥� increasing your impact and enhancing your satisfaction. As you model genuine personal motivation, you inspire others to tap into their own.

Motivation is best ignited when it is directed toward a clear goal. Goals have a built-in bias for action. They 鈥渁re a 鈥榮pring into action鈥� force that energizes and directs our behavior in purposeful ways and motivates people to behave differently鈥� (Ames + Ames, 1984). However, Positive Psychology magazine emphasizes that 鈥済oal setting translates into performance only when the goals are challenging, specific, and congruent with the self.鈥�

Metrics are simply a way to gauge how you are doing in pursuit of the goal. They help you identify what is most valuable to measure. Metrics are communication vehicles for relaying expectations. Often these are referred to as Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs.

KPIs are metrics you have decided are important to track because collectively they give you objective signs of the organization鈥檚 overall well-being. 鈥淜PIs stand as beacons, illuminating our path and ensuring we are aligned with our true north鈥� (Richard Amburgey, founder, L3 Initiative). He suggests that before you finalize a KPI, ask 鈥淲hy does this metric matter?鈥� Amburgey states that when the 鈥渨hy鈥� is understood, the metrics turn from 鈥渕undane to meaningful.鈥� It keeps you focused on the big picture, assuring the metrics being measured will get you where you want to go.

Tapping into motivation, setting clear goals, and identifying and tracking metrics sets us up to experience a more purposeful, aligned, and satiated path 鈥� one that includes celebrations along the way.

I invite you to mine for your motivation. You can repeatedly query the brain with a simple question: 鈥淲hat do I want?鈥� As your answers begin to emerge, pay attention to patterns. With motivation identified, you will be in a more optimal position to create and achieve goals that matter to you.

鈥淚n our world of exponential change and ever-increasing complexity, the power rests with those who act鈥� (Beata Souders).

Karen Natzel is a business therapist who helps leaders create healthy, vibrant and high-performing organizations. Contact her at 503-806-4361 or [email protected].

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed in the preceding commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Daily Journal of Commerce or its editors. Neither the author nor the 91视频 guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.