Stop keeping score!
I used to lead a large music department for a cruise line. Like many large companies, complicated systems exist to measure as much activity as possible - especially performance.
We'd then slice these metrics a hundred ways; adjust scores when we have too many people scoring too high; and require justification for every rating. It was too much. Admittedly, I wasn't part of the solution as I often over-complicate.
Now, years later, I'm sitting here and reflecting on the experience. What could I have done differently? What would I do differently moving forward?
I would have asked, "what are scores for?"
Determining how well we've accomplished a task against a "standard."
Comparing ourselves against others.
Gauging progress over time and learning from failure.
But, I think that's a bit short-sighted if I can be honest. I think I would have asked a broader question, "what is work for?"
To me, work is for "communicating an idea to another human through a medium that hopefully changes their life in a meaningful way."
Writing this blog is work. I get to do more of this work every day, and I love it.
Representing your client is work. An attorney communicates the idea of "you're safe, I've got your back" through their problem-solving abilities. It's their hope that this changes their client's life in a meaningful way.
Being a parent is work. A parent gets to communicate the idea of "you're safe, I'm here to help you grow into the human you'll be proud to know" through their actions. It's their hope that the human in their care will fully develop into one that serves their tribe.
So, if that's work, then "what's a score for?"
It's invented.
It's invented by other humans to measure something because that's what humans do, measure. It makes us "feel" safe to "measure." But, I submit to you, this is an illusion of your own creation.
If it's an illusion, then "how do we know what we're doing is right?"
Simple.
Give yourself an A. Tell yourself you exceeded expectations. Rate yourself the highest you possibly can. Then, tell yourself what you did to deserve it.
Some might say, "David, that's just opening yourself up for laziness."
Sure. But, the lazy person doesn't read this blog - you are not lazy.
You want to do more of the work that matters.
You need others to get out of your way.
You need to get out of your own way.
Today, or soon, write yourself a letter/email/voice memo. This letter will be addressed to you. And, you'll author the letter as "future you." Then, in the letter, write all the things you did to earn the "A."
"June 11, 2021
Happy Birthday, David!
A year ago, today, you challenged me to deliver useful content to my readers. You challenged me to do this better than I did it in the previous year. I accepted your challenge. And, because of my efforts, I've received an 'A' for the work. Here's what I did...
With love and deep respect,
David Brady"
Maybe next year, June 11, 2021, I'll take a look and see if I did is what I said I was going to do - that's accountability. It's also what a score is for.
