Whenever there’s an analysis to check fluctuations in website traffic or leads, at work, there are benchmarks against which comparison is made. The metrics.
When there’s a drop in numbers, everyone is their panic-mode-on busy, in finding the needles in a series of haystacks. The reasons.
No, I’m telling you about my work. Just an inference on which I’m extrapolating the life’s metrics.
As far as work is concerned, the metrics or standards are decided by Industry leaders, which over time, become the norm.
The world order is no different, carries a similar list of pre-defined metrics for everything. School, College, Job, House, Marriage, Retirement. All of it, defined by a metric of the famous “4 log”!
Every decision taken for you or decisions that you think you’re taking are defined slash influenced under the microscopic guidance of these metrics. The barometer of your success or failure is always micro-analyzed at every stage of your life. The vicious circle just doesn’t let you think beyond. Once you strike gold in one metric, there’s another waiting to matched. Levelling up.
Remember that time when they said, “10th clear karlo, aage ka sab set hai ?” and then, “Science lelo, bohot scope hai” or “12th matter karta hai” and then a series of generally agreed set of principles for everyone. A new metric, every effin time.
And it just doesn’t stop even after you’ve become an adult. When you cross 25, you think, Phew! Finally, right!
But then new metrics! Got a job? Baahar kyun nahi chale jaate ? (Foreign currency).
And then the shocker, Aur bete ki shadi kab kara rahe ho? Which is like the favorite of all!
Leave aside the inquisitiveness of the people, the problem is with the metrics. If the name of the company you work for, doesn’t ring a bell in their heads, “Unka beta to Infosys me hai.. acchi tankhwaah hai”. Which gets followed up by, “Tum kitna kama lete ho?”!
Even my mother doesn’t know how much I earn!
And this frenzy of metrics doesn’t stop with one generation. Our own generation defines success and happiness by metrics, for instance with, how much someone travels around with remarks of, “Yaaar, teri life sahi hai”!
Who’s stopping you from living the life you want to? No one, but you!
The only reason for us to not do anything is our changing priorities. Cribbing or comparing our lives is something that we should leave it to the other generation and its 4 log.
The only metric to consider is “what makes YOU happy” and the need to make your own people help see this very metric.