Get Momentum

Chapter 6Monitor

Measure twice; cut once.

—English proverb

What gets measured, gets managed.

—Peter Drucker

If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.

—Albert Einstein

What Positive Things Are Happening That I Can Acknowledge?

What Do You Need to Monitor, Really?

One beautiful spring morning in New York City, Jason and Jodi met with their mentor, Frances Hesselbein, in her third-floor office at the corner of Park Avenue between 50th and 51st Street (www.HesselbeinInstitute.org). During the meeting, she held tightly to one of each of their hands and asked them to look out over the city.

She said, “Look out this window.” She paused before continuing, “Tell me what is visible to you that is not yet seen by the people you serve.”

Now, you need to know that it was Frances' mentor—the author Peter Drucker—who taught her to think about that question while she was CEO of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America from 1976 to 1990. As you learn about Peter's work, you'll find he often said, “I don't predict. I just look out the window and see what's visible but not yet seen.”

While working toward your milestones, keep your eyes open. Identify the indicators that you're on course to achieve what you set out to accomplish. And, be on the lookout to realize when you're slipping off course. The sooner you know, the better. Identify specific indicators so that you can check to ensure you're on track ...