💡 CheatCode #131: The Honest Metric
Measure what hurts, not what flatters.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James Baldwin
We love numbers that make us feel good:
followers instead of revenue
hours worked instead of results
ideas brainstormed instead of deals closed
These are comfort metrics.
High performers obsess over something else:
the Honest Metric — the single number that tells the uncomfortable truth about whether they’re actually moving forward.
For you it might be:
sales calls per week
deep work hours, not screen time
workouts completed, not “steps”
difficult conversations actually had
The Honest Metric is rarely glamorous.
That’s why it works.
Related Study
Performance research shows that clear, specific, behavior-linked metrics create significantly higher achievement than vague or feel-good indicators.
Why It Works
✅ Cuts through self-deception
✅ Focuses attention on what truly drives outcomes
✅ Makes progress visible and trackable
✅ Aligns daily behavior with long-term goals
✅ Builds a bias toward reality over ego
Today’s Challenge
Choose one Honest Metric for a goal that matters.
Write it down. Track it for the next 7 days — no excuses, no padding, no spin.
Final Thought
Your life changes when you stop worshiping comforting numbers
and start honoring the honest ones. -1% CheatCode