September 4, 2010 82 Comments

Numbers That Matter

old fire truck The other day, someone told me they were a bit down because their score on a social media site was low. I was quick to point out that the number had no bearing on the outside world. It was just something a site had decided about game dynamics within a single social network. It got me thinking about the numbers that matter, from a business perspective, but then even out into other areas. Here were some numbers I thought might matter more.

Numbers That Matter

  • Number of smiles you caused today.
  • Number of hugs you distributed today.
  • Number of meals you ate with people you love.
  • Number of times you promoted someone else.
  • Number of ways you encouraged others today.
  • Number of times you took a break for yourself.
  • Number of times you ate the right food.
  • Number of glasses of water you drank.
  • Number of dollars you put in a needy hand.
  • Number of opportunities you get to educate people.
  • Number of times you ignore the haters and grow.
  • Number of times you say positive things to yourself.
  • Number of times you say no so you can say yes to the bigger opportunity.

    And You?

    Can you add some numbers that matter in the comments?

    • Related posts:

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    4. Bleecker: Why Games Matter
    5. Names Matter

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    • Cindymsewell

      Thank you for posting this. Many of us get caught up in achieving numbers and positions and promotions when the human element is the most important. Have a great week!

    • Heidi Cohen

      Thanks for helping us all to consider that what’s important in this world is what we make of our lives and our connections with the people whom we care about. (Also, thanks to @Tamar for tweeting this post.)

    • Heidi Cohen

      Thanks for helping us all to consider that what’s important in this world is what we make of our lives and our connections with the people whom we care about. (Also, thanks to @Tamar for tweeting this post.)

    • http://www.socialmediaprism.com Farida Harianawala

      Lovely post, Chris. It’s true, we get so caught up in the numbers game that we lose sight of what should really matter.

      P.S. I hate the idea of sites that give out scores for ‘performance’ on Twitter. Why must we have report cards for EVERYTHING? Why can’t we connect and collaborate just for the joy of it?

      • http://twitter.com/cassie_wallace Cassie Wallace

        Horrah!

      • http://twitter.com/cassie_wallace Cassie Wallace

        Horrah!

      • http://twitter.com/cassie_wallace Cassie Wallace

        Horrah!

      • http://twitter.com/cassie_wallace Cassie Wallace

        Horrah!

      • http://twitter.com/cassie_wallace Cassie Wallace

        Horrah!

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    • http://www.slymarketing.com Jens P. Berget

      Number of times you took a break with your family.

      To me, spending time with your family is very important. So, no matter how much fun work is, or how much money we’re actually earning from it, in the end, it’s all about family (and friends).

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    • http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

      What about the number is the bank account? Don’t forget about them.

    • http://www.ArvindDevalia.com/blog Arvind Devalia

      Chris,

      What a wonderful idea!

      Here are my 5 key numbers:-

      Number of times you expressed your gratitude for all the gifts the world gives you without expecting anything in return
      Number of times you looked at someone and silently blessed them
      Number of times you looked into someone’s eys rather than avoiding eye contact
      Number of times you smiled inwardly
      Number of times you said to yourself – how did I get to be so lucky!

      Thanks Chris:-)

    • Jill

      Brilliant – thank you!

    • http://weblifetoday.com Joel

      # of times your freedom/safety/way of life was guaranteed by the death/heroics/duty of another.

      # of times a missing child has been returned.

      # of days an addict has been sober.

      Also, Tire Pressure, # of miles in between oil changes, and looking at the exact mileage on your odometer BEFORE you walk in the town office to re-register the truck. Don’t guess ;)

      Joel

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    • Misterry48

      Number of times you woke up and listened to the sounds of nature

    • http://shanegenziuk.wordpress.com/category/my-poems/ Shane Genziuk

      As the blood drained away
      I counted the number of times
      my heart stopped beating
      until those numbers
      they drifted off
      to someplace
      maybe to where the memories
      of good deeds are kept
      leaving me here all alone
      in pool of red
      and a blank white canvas
      of regret

    • Oran Raviv

      as long as it’s not the number of times you ate people you loved, I think eating with people is over rated.

    • Oran Raviv

      as long as it’s not the number of times you ate people you loved, I think eating with people is over rated.

    • http://wayne-sutton.com Wayne Sutton

      Good one Chris.
      Number of times you check-in at the right locations and don’t check into the wrong locations. (Home)

    • Stephanie

      Thanks for this inspired post, Chris.

      I would add:
      * Number of kind words you said to a friend
      * Number of times you asked a question (and truly listened to the answer)
      * Number of minutes you spent in silence, thinking
      * Number of tweets you sent out to promote SOMEONE ELSE
      * Number of minutes you spent in engaged play and conversation w/ your child(ren)

    • http://www.blackfridayplanet.com/ William Hushburn

      It’s the thought that counts.

    • http://www.blackfridayplanet.com/ William Hushburn

      It’s the thought that counts.

    • http://SocialNetwork102.blogspot.com/ Shaundamien

      thank you for your simple yet inspiring+thoughtful post XD beautiful indeed

    • http://twitter.com/richardT3o Richard Teo

      Hi Chris,

      Can’t agree with you more ! Love the post :D

    • https://www.odesk.com/leaving_odesk.php?ref=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.howtogetridofstretchmarksblog.com how to get rid of strech marks

      it is true that number is most usable in our daily life.

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