The weather was gorgeous…clear blue sky, cool, crisp almost-spring air, flowers in bloom…PERFECT day for a walk.
I got my daughter loaded in the stroller and we took off. I was loving it.
Just past my turn-around point, I was heading back toward the house pondering if I should add on to my normal route because it was just so beautiful out.
It was at this point that I realized I wasn’t wearing my Fitbit. It was still charging in the bathroom.
I hate it when that happens.
It’s not like it lessens the fact that I went on a walk, but I like the proof of those blinking dots, you know?
And I was thinking about doing more than my normal route (which is about 6K steps), and had the brief thought that maybe I wouldn’t go further because I couldn’t track it and what was the point?
Wait, really? Did I truly care that much about my Fitbit that I would decide whether or not I’d walk farther based on the fact I wasn’t wearing it?
I don’t think so.
I decided to keep walking. In fact, I probably nearly doubled my normal walk, going well over my 10K steps…but I had no proof…
And this, my friend, reminded me of the value of tracking. I track about 15 things in my day-to-day life to keep me focused. It also helps me know what I can celebrate that I’m doing well and what I need to improve on. It’s pretty motivating because I hate seeing those empty squares.
I’m pretty sure I mentioned tracking near the beginning of the year in some of my posts about goal setting, but I couldn’t emphasize more the value of tracking when it comes to making progress on our goals.
If you have a goal that you’re struggling to achieve, start tracking! Even if it’s something simple, like drinking 8 glasses of water a day, reading daily, listening to audio daily, doing some kind of exercise daily…you get the point…track it and you’ll truly know how you’re doing and motivate yourself to do better!
…And, if you really want to take your tracking to the next level, tell someone (or lots of someones) what you’re doing so you’re held accountable!
I’ve love to hear what you’re tracking in order to achieve your goals and about your successes in the comments!
Wow I didn’t know that you track 15 things! I’ll have to start doing that, beyond what I eat, my weight each day, my exercise, and my PT exercises.
Last week I went on a bike ride and didn’t have my Fitbit on and I know that feeling! I also want the “credit”. But the ride was wonderful anyway.