Episode 119: Four Creative Ways To Visually Track Your Progress

It’s great to see numbers and sales rack up, but as a creative, sometimes it’s helpful to have a visual representation to track your progress. In Episode 119 of Just One Simple Thing, you’ll learn four fun ways to keep your eyes literally on the prize.

I’ve been on the road traveling some the last couple of weeks and it’s nice to be home. I don’t know about you, but when I’m traveling, I start off focused on the destination. I just want to get there and get off the road. But shortly after I leave, I start looking for the mile markers. Those markers tell me how far I’ve gone, and how far I have left to go.

God had something to say about mile markers in the Bible. In Jeremiah 31, God was talking about gathering his nations that had been dispersed, and he said, “Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went.

Let’s talk about a few ways you can create visual markers for your business or ministry to reflect the progress you are making.

1. The classic kanban chart:

The chart is divided into three sections: To Do, Doing (or in progress) and Done. As you work on tasks, you move them from one section to another. Not only does the kanban chart help you see progress, it also is an accountability tool. Keep your eye on that Doing section. If you start accumulating things there that you have started, but not finished, you know it’s time to focus on actually finishing things to make real progress.

2. Put a name to a numbers goal:

I set a goal to talk to 50 new people. As I held each call, I put the person’s name on sticky note and put the note on a big poster board. If the call resulted in some kind of ongoing interaction, I put a check-mark on the sticky note. This process could have turned into just a numbers game with a dopamine hit for every check mark. I kept the poster board near my work area and often prayed over the names on the board. It reminded me that my work isn’t just about growing numbers. It’s about helping actual people with their actual problems using my expertise.

3. Use your progress to motivate people to be part of something important

During registration for the Do Your Thing retreat, as people sign up, I put their name on the floor plan of the house where we are staying, and share that on my social media. When they can picture themselves staying in a specific room, they want to be part of it.

4. Make a thermometer to show your progress towards a goal:

This seems to work especially well for sales or fundraising goals. This because it makes people feel like their contribution, no matter how large or small, is part of making something special happen.

When your destination still seems far away, look at your markers and see that thus far, the Lord has helped you, and be encouraged that he will help you to the next marker.

ACTION STEP
Pick one of these visual markers and find a way to use it with your own goals. Snap a picture and share it on social media. Be sure to tag me @doanewthing so I can cheer you on!

Thanks so much for listening in. I’m so grateful for every person who listens, shares, or leaves a review. Those things are an encouragement in a space that can feel very lonely, and I appreciate your generosity.

RESOURCES
Do Your Thing Retreat –Registration is open for the January, 2024 retreat!
Episode 54: Ten Creative Ways to Use Sticky Notes
Move Forward Journal –One year line-a-day journal