I was a curious observer. Having had very little exposure to a metrics driven existence, when I encountered it in quick succession in the lifestyle of a few people around me, it got me intrigued. To be honest, initially I felt remarkably ill informed about my own metrics.

For example, how well or badly I slept, as per the numbers recorded. Exactly how many calories I had consumed and expended during the day; what my heart rate pattern had been; and the numbers of my base metabolic rate. The list of my ignorance about my own metrics is long, to say the least.

Life is “work in progress”

I was not alone in my obliviousness. The cook who had been with one of the families for decades, having happily fed three generations at least, with roti, dal and a variety of accompaniments, was getting educated in the fine nuances of micro cooking.

She sat on a chair, staring with concentration at the tiny numberings of an equally mini weighing machine on the table, checking to ensure that the cooked chicken, avocado and roti were of the correct weight. Since it had to be customized to the required metrics of the diet plan of the consumer. I did not envy her job.

If life is to be equated with a football game, I am playing the last quarter. Based on that, I could forgive myself my reluctance to deluge my days with the mathematical precision of metrics – of  breaths taken and exhaled. Likewise, the crazy disruption of metrics caused by the intake of sweet ginger biscuits, which add so much joy to the morning tea.

But one is “work in progress” till the game is over.  For me this particular game of understanding life in terms of metrics has just begun. It can be somewhat overwhelming.       

So what is a life powered by metric readings?

Very simply, it is a journey where monitoring data through numbers, determines whether we are on or off the track from achieving a measurable result, outcome or goal. An internet search said it means “relying on quantifiable data and key performance indicators (KPIs), to guide decision-making, set goals and measure progress, rather than intuition or subjective assessments.“

It could be through smart watches, apps or devices that one puts on one’s body, to name a few. Based on these numbers, choices are made of how we go forward towards our chosen destination.

Metrics are there in virtually everything around us, including the health check ups we do. In this article, I have focussed on a specific few.

What are the benefits of Metrics in daily life?

• It is a clear and clean record of whatever is being monitored – steps taken, hours slept and their quality, heart rate, calories tucked in, productive hours of work, increasing our savings, etc. It leaves no room for overlooking minor indulgences like a twenty minute walk instead of thirty etc. In the numbers, there is no room for subjective human biases and so the information is objective.

• Metrics make us “smell the coffee“. “I have been very cautious about not overspending and am saving at least five grand every month,” declared Sushma. She was a compulsive shopaholic and the credit card was used liberally. Metrics over a period spoke a different tale. The hard unfortunate fact was that she was saving barely a thousand a month. She needed to get her act together and smell the coffee as it were.

• There are devices to even tell you how anxious or stressed you have been based on the heart rate and skin temperatures. You are under strict vigilance to keep your nose to the ground and work towards your goal in a focused manner.

• If the hoped for outcomes are intelligently managed, one can set the targets in a phased manner, so as to achieve them at one’s pace and convenience. The metrics are a useful guide for this.

• If we see that the goals set, that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound are being achieved, it gives us a fresh boost and a burst of happy energy to stay on track and motivated.

Data is useful in observing patterns

One cannot deny the fact that data is useful. Since it is quantifiable, when charted out, it is indicative of patterns that can help us with an insight, that might otherwise play truant with us.

For example, a young man who enjoyed his drinks and had a blind spot about its impact on his sleep, could clearly understand the direct correlation between the amount of alcohol intake and how it disrupted his sleep quality. It was this hard data that made him wake up from his self induced delusion, that he could metabolize fair amounts of alcohol without it impacting him. He got the option of making a better choice, that he would hopefully follow through in the long run.

If one takes the metrics seriously and takes the follow up action, it would, over a period of time, show the benefits; enabling us enjoy better health and greater productivity.

A simple metric where the cellphone notification tells us about the number of hours we have spent on the screen, can be a serious wake up call to do something about it. Young Srivesh refused to accept that he spent an inordinate amount of time on his phone and laptop. That was until the notification was activated and the number ‘9 hours a day’ came up on two consecutive weeks. There was no place to hide.

In effect we use the limited productive time we have in a day to an optimal level and at the same time consciously limit wastage of time and other precious resources.

What could be the pitfalls with metrics in daily life?

Loss of Spontaniety:

Being unfamiliar with this style of functioning, I feel that it is possible that we could lose our spontaneity of simply doing something because we feel like it; even if it is a little off track. So we could give ourselves the freedom of some off days, when we switch off our devices and simply be. It is possible that if we have internalized the rhythm of the metrics and truly appreciated the benefits of following them, we will not do anything outrageous that will neutralize all the benefits. But we will need the free time to be flexible.

Do we listen to our body and do what it is telling us organically? It might be a craving for some leisurely stretches, a stroll outdoors, a mid morning siesta, a peanut butter cookie or a double chocolate ice cream. Occasional indulgence in the normal course of things, unless it is completely detrimental due to a medical condition or a specific target that needs to be achieved, is okay.

Hey, we are not wound up machines!

New stresses from over control:

Care needs to be taken to not allow the metrics to take over our life and mind and become a dictator. That will create a stress of its own, where we are driven by fear of messing up. In other words we have to be careful of not getting obsessed with tracking numbers. A case in point is the person who weighs what can be weighed before consuming it and counts every calorie that he ingests to maintain his weight.  The benefits, health wise and in other spheres of life could get lost or camouflaged if the mind is always on edge. The fun element must not be sacrificed.

Loss of ability to self-monitor:

At another level it is important  to not lose the ability to monitor ourselves and be sensitive to what our own body is telling us, without being completely dependent on metrics to tell us how we are feeling. “I am feeling relaxed and rested after a good sleep, ready to enjoy the morning tea or coffee. But stop. My metrics say otherwise. So I now feel anxious that I did not get the required amount of  deep sleep according to the numbers.” 

What would you go with?!!

Over-emphasis on metrics, leading to relationship failures: There are several other aspects to our lives that are not driven by numbers and if we allow metrics to take over, there also we may be asking for trouble.

For example in relationships. Some amount of tracking could potentially help us understand if the balance in terms of input from both sides is healthy. Keeping a tab of these metrics usually happens if one party is feeling deeply uncomfortable and needs to verify his or her intuitive feeling.

However, over emphasis on numbers, simply for the sake of keeping note, has the lurking danger of turning a warm relationship into a cold transactional one. Saachi was  constantly keeping count of what she had done for or received from her close friend. In the bargain she forgot to enjoy the friendship and all the little joys it offered. She ended up feeling alone and unhappy.

As we know, everything in life cannot be weighed by numbers and quantified.

Similarly there are the other non weighable and non ‘metricable’ emotions like happiness, joy in doing something for others, following a creative pursuit and the like. Is there a parameter on which we track numbers for say the thrill of participating in an adventure sport or whooshing down a giant glass of rich creamy chocolate shake?

We have heard this earlier but at the risk of repeating it, it needs to be emphasized that not all metrics are actually what they seem to be. Tracking personal health parameters is one thing, but numbers on social media of getting ‘likes’ to a post, friends online, cannot compensate for real time interactions. Quality, depth, impact and reach of the work we do cannot always be tracked by numbers either.

Metrics are tools to use for our benefit

Life as we know it is not merely a balance sheet of numbers that need to be tallied. Metrics are important – to achieve targets, keep oneself disciplined and focused, build awareness of what might not be easily visible and to keep us accountable. But metrics are tools to be used for our benefit. The magic word is balance. Between keeping the facts and numbers as beacons to guide us and our hearts, emotions and joie de vivre to make the life experience exuberant.

Given below are two quotations, reflecting two opinions. The former is most likely to do with business while the second one possibly is to do with one’s overall feeling.

Which one resonates with you? Or do both make sense, depending on the situation?

“You can’t improve what you don’t measure.” Peter Drucker

“For me, my inner performance tracker, my personal metrics is what I go by. It normally does not lie.”  Author Unknown

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