What counts on your scoreboard?

As I sit on the couch nursing my baby girl (who very recently turned one and started walking, as if on cue), thinking about everything I need to get done today and this week, a question popped into my mind: What is it that I am counting?

I am sure you think this is a strange question but please bear with me as I attempt to explain.

Ask yourself the following questions: How many of your markers for success are tangible or countable things we can tick off our list? How many of these are things you think you “should” be doing, expectations set by others that take priority in your diary or planner? When was the last time you considered which of these things in your schedule really matter (like REALLY, to you)?

What are some examples of things that are tangible, countable, off-tickable? Cooking dinners, grocery shopping, the amount of hours we spend working, being on time, dropping off kids, picking up the kids, the number of meetings we attend in a day. Now I am not saying these things aren’t important. But how often do you use these metrics to determine your success at the end of the day? And more importantly, are these the only things that need to go on your scoreboard?

What if?

We started counting those 15 minutes we were late for school because we were laughing hysterically at silly outfits getting dressed for school, as time invested in our child’s happiness and character building?

Or getting to bed a few minutes later because your little one wants to brush their own teeth?

Or the 30 minutes extra it took to make dinner because they wanted to cut the veggies, as time invested in learning a new skill?

The walk around the block with your partner rather than tidying the play room as time invested in building your relationship?

Obviously having small children informs many of my examples, but the principle holds true for people in any stage of life. Catching up with and old friend, having a deep conversation with an ageing parent, taking the time to watch the sun set just because you can – the examples are endless, but they usually don’t feature on our scoreboards of success.

What if we started thinking differently about success and what the markers of success should be in our homes and our businesses?

Recently I watched a very enlightening talk about a study which was done on measures of success in countries. Bhutan’s fourth Dragon King (Bhutan is a country between India and China, apparently), Jigme Singye Wangchuck was asked about his countries GDP. His response: Why are we so worried about GDP and not our countries level of happiness? This was a profound question. Although GDP is our current measure of success of a country, it is driving survival or thriving? This led to the development of the GNH (Gross National Happiness) index which comprises the following measures: economic (which obviously matters), environmental, physical, mental, workplace, societal and political wellness. One of the questions included in the index is: How do you feel about how you spend your time?

Gallup asks something similar in their annual State of the Global Workforce survey: they ask respondents to rate their current level of satisfaction with their life. In the latest 2022 report only 29% of South Africans reported that they are currently thriving (compared to 33% of people measured globally). This is obviously a complex question to answer, but the metrics we use to measure our own success definitely plays a part here.

Which brings me to companies.

Most companies prefer to measure the tangibles. We have metrics for efficiency, productivity and profitability (as we should). But we often overlook the metrics for happiness, fulfillment, personal growth, engagement, or at least see them as less important. I am not suggesting we create companies that sing kumbaya and have feeling circles every morning. That would be awkward. I am suggesting that companies start investing money, time and energy in creating the environments in which people can flourish and experience happiness, engagement and fulfilment. Where individuals and teams can move from survival to thriving. It’s time we start paying attention to the intangibles too.

As always, thank you for reading and ending your week with us. Have a great weekend and GO BOKKE!!

(PJ: Here is a beautiful picture of Shinell laughing, although not hysterically ;)).

At PurposeWorks we are all about Making You and Your Work Rock. Our focus is on Organisational Health and Design, Employee Centered Culture, Leadership Development and Performance Coaching. For more information on how we can help you create a work environment that rocks, develop a great team, become an inspiring leader or unlock your personal excellence talk to us at info@purposeworks.co.za.