Comparison. It’s the thief of joy, the killer of confidence, and the silent sabotage to your progress. As entrepreneurs and executives, it’s tempting to measure our success against others—revenue numbers, product launches, social media milestones. But here’s the truth: someone else’s journey isn’t your benchmark.
Your real competition? It’s you. And the secret to staying focused and motivated is learning how to track your own progress. Forget comparing outcomes—this is about comparing who you are today to who you were yesterday.
Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Define What Progress Means to You
The first step in tracking your progress is getting crystal clear on what success looks like for you—not for your competitors, peers, or anyone else.
Ask yourself:
- What specific goals matter most to me right now? (E.g., scaling your business, improving team leadership, or carving out more time for family.)
- What does meaningful personal progress toward those goals look like? (E.g., hitting revenue milestones, receiving positive team feedback, or spending two uninterrupted hours with your kids.)
Write it down. When you have a personalized definition of success, you can track progress that aligns with your values, not someone else’s highlight reel.
Pro Tip: Break big goals into measurable milestones (see: mini-milestones!). This makes progress feel achievable and tangible.
Step 2: Create a Simple Progress Tracking System
Once you know what progress looks like, you need a system to measure it consistently. The good news? This doesn’t need to be complicated.
Here are a few simple methods:
- Daily Reflection Journal: At the end of each day, write down:
- Weekly Progress Review: Schedule 15 minutes every week to reflect on:
- Visual Tracking Tools:
Seeing progress visually can be incredibly motivating—it’s a constant reminder of how far you’ve come.
Step 3: Focus on Inputs, Not Just Outcomes
Here’s a mindset shift: personal progress isn’t always about the results. Sometimes, it’s about the effort, consistency, and actions you take.
For example:
- Outcome-focused: “I didn’t close the deal.”
- Input-focused: “I made five outreach calls and refined my pitch for next time.”
By tracking inputs (what you do) instead of obsessing over outcomes (the results), you stay in control. Outcomes can depend on external factors, but inputs? Those are all you.
Pro Tip: Use this approach to reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth. Did the result fall short? Great—what did you learn, and how will you adjust? That’s progress, too.
Step 4: Compare Yourself to Your Past, Not to Others
The only person you should be comparing yourself to is yesterday’s you.
Ask yourself:
- What have I achieved or improved in the last week, month, or quarter?
- Where was I 6 months ago, and how have I grown since then?
- What challenges did I overcome that I once thought were impossible?
Write it down. Reviewing your past wins reinforces a key belief: you’re capable of growth, and you’re already making progress.
Mindset Shift: The journey is yours. No one else’s timeline or milestones matter.
Step 5: Celebrate Personal Progress (No Matter How Small)
Progress isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about building momentum. And momentum grows when you take time to celebrate how far you’ve come.
Here’s how:
- Acknowledge Daily Wins: Write down one thing you’re proud of every day, even if it feels small.
- Reflect Monthly: Look back on the progress you’ve made and identify the habits or strategies that worked best.
- Share Your Growth: Whether it’s with a mentor, peer, or your LinkedIn network, sharing your progress reinforces your efforts and keeps you accountable.
Pro Tip: Celebrations don’t need to be big. A quick fist pump, a relaxing walk, or even a sticky note with “I crushed it today” can go a long way in boosting your motivation.
Why Tracking Personal Progress Works
When you track your personal progress instead of comparing outcomes, you take control of your journey. Here’s what happens:
- You stop wasting energy on comparison traps.
- You gain clarity on what’s working and where to adjust.
- You build confidence by focusing on how much you’ve grown, not how much further you “should” be.
This isn’t just a mindset shift—it’s a performance hack that keeps you moving forward.
Your Action Step for Today
Take 10 minutes to set up your personal progress tracking system:
- Define what personal progress looks like for you.
- Choose a method to track it (daily journal, weekly review, or visual tool).
- Reflect on one win from the past week—it doesn’t matter how small.
What’s Next?
Personal progress isn’t about perfection or instant results—it’s about consistent steps in the right direction. Start tracking yours today, and watch how it transforms your confidence, focus, and performance.
