Benchmarking your performance - the first step towards improvement

The path to growth is never-ending. When you are looking to improve your performance in your career, in your business or in your life generally, you need to know what "success" looks like.

Forward movement matters, but how do you know whether you are improving or slipping backwards? This is where benchmarking comes into play.

Benchmarking means setting a standard against which you measure your performance. Athletes do it. Those at the top of their profession do it. And it's a useful tool for anyone striving for progress.

As the saying goes, "What gets measured, gets improved".

The power of measurement

Think about it. How can you improve if you don't know where your performance levels are right now?

It's like a race. Without a starting line, would it be possible to judge how far the finish line is or how much progress you've made?

Similarly, having a clear understanding of your performance is crucial in your journey to self-improvement and growth.

Every action you take, every skill you learn, every habit you develop contributes to your performance. By tracking your performance against desired behaviours and habits, you set a solid foundation upon which to grow.

Improvement begins by getting clear on where your performance currently is. With it, you gain a clear view of your strengths and areas where improvement would help. This isn't about competition. You are not necessarily benchmarking against others. Rather, you are doing so to understand your own capabilities at that moment. When you understand yourself better, you have the intelligence you need to make the right changes.

What are the behaviours or habits to measure yourself against? This is where the 7 Natural Powers come into play. The 7 Natural Powers are our natural abilities to control different areas of our work and life. And they are key areas against which we can measure our performance.

Here are the 7 Natural Powers:

1. Vision Power: align your actions with your passions and strengths.

2. Growth Power: be open to change, embrace learning and seize opportunities.

3. Emotional Power: develop emotional intelligence to tackle new challenges with ease.

4. Belief Power: overcome limiting beliefs and enhance self-confidence.

5. Mind Power: foster a positive mindset to unlock your inherent abilities.

6. Physiological Power: harness your physical potential to boost wellbeing and health.

7. Brand Power: create a unique personal brand to amplify your impact and influence.