A North Star Metric for my Personal Life
New year, new me.
Using a North Star Metric in my personal life. As someone skeptical about the "new year, new me" bollocks, I find the idea of fresh starts inspiring. My issue with the whole concept of New Year's resolutions (e.g. losing 15kg) is that it's a bit like setting your yearly revenue target (+20% revenue YoY) - these targets often feel insurmountable due to numerous sub-metrics and a tendency to lose focus over time.
But this year is different. I turn 40, and I would love to be back in good health - especially following my health scare last summer. I know I need to lose weight, be more active, lower my blood pressure, cut back on sugar etc... But it's overwhelming to think about and I know myself well, failing in one area will have a cascading effect. To counter this, I've decided to use my favourite business strategy tool. A metric tree with a focus on a North Star Metric (NSM).
Sean Ellis defines a NSM as "the single metric that best captures the core value that your product delivers to customers. Optimizing your efforts to grow this metric is key to driving sustainable growth across your full customer base".
By adopting a NSM, I can concentrate on one primary, achievable goal with significant impact.
I started on my quest to find this NSM by building a metric tree. My ultimate goal is to lower my blood pressure into a safe range (the aforementioned unsurmountable problem).
Why this goal? I've had high blood pressure since I was in my early 20s. In the past my blood pressure has come down when my weight has been at a healthy level (this is a bit like a prior), but over the last 4 years I've put a lot back on (for various reasons - sciatica, 2nd born, pandemic, WFH, stress, work) and last year I finally started taking medication for it.
Weight loss, therefore, becomes a critical secondary goal, supported by both personal observation and medical advice. To lose weight I need to eat better and be more active. Studies show that two of the biggest levers I can pull for weight loss through diet are intermittent fasting and maintaining a calorie deficit. A personal challenge I've identified is the habit of consuming empty calories late in the day.
Interestingly, better eating habits have historically resulted in higher energy levels for me, encouraging more physical activity. This direct causal relationship is something I can try to leverage.
Finally I realised I hate dragging myself off the sofa late at night to brush my teeth because I just want to crawl into bed. I also refuse to eat after I've brushed my teeth as I don't want to brush my teeth again.
That's when it hit me! This is my North Star Metric!
Brushing my teeth by 8pm for 95% of the year (347/365 days).
Brushing my teeth by 8pm means, I can roll straight into bed. I won't eat afterwards. I can do intermittent fasting. I'll cut back calories. I'll have more energy hopefully leading to me being more active again.
I'm tracking everything so I'll keep you all posted :)
