“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it” is a pretty common phrase in the basics of running an organization and leading a team to achieve.  Setting effective performance measures that individuals and teams can understand and clearly see how those measures align with achieving an organization’s goals is a critical element in building an organization for growth.

There are a large number of management books, consultant fees, and leadership team discussions around developing the most effective “scorecard” for organizations, teams, and individuals to ensure they are all best positioned to achieve their goals.

When organizations report on progress towards achieving goals, there is a very familiar review of the status of their performance against these important measures.

As we continue on our own personal journey to build and strengthen our character, one important question we need to ask ourselves is, “What am I measuring on the “scorecard” of my life?”

As we see ourselves in the big roles in life such as a student, parent, sibling, son or daughter, friend, helper, and coworker, a fundamental question we need to answer is how are we measuring ourselves along the journey in those important roles?

Now that we are beginning to enter into another presidential election season, someone will ask that familiar question, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?”

As we intentionally put effort towards building and strengthening our character, we don’t need a politician to remind us every four years of the importance of assessing our progress in the big areas of our life.

Many times, the “four year” question from politicians refers to some financial measure.  Somewhere on the “scorecard” of life, money, as it is the currency for provision of food, clothing, and shelter, has its place.  However, I have never been to a funeral where someone said, “Bob was a nice guy and he died with a back pocket full of money.”

It would be beneficial for all of us if the vast majority of our scorecard showed how we brought health to important relationships and how we had a positive impact on those around us.  In the end, we would all be grateful to hear, “Bob was a nice guy and he simply took care of people.”

One fact is clear, when a politician asks that familiar question, the cold, hard truth is that we now have four years less on the journey to deliver on the life we are trying to achieve.

As we become more intentional on delivering top performance on the “scorecard” of our lives, we will continue to build and strengthen our character and Character Creates Opportunity® for us to have a meaningful impact on those around us.