Is 10,000 steps a day the magic number?

10,000 steps - quantity or quality?

I had used a Fitbit for over five years and recently stopped. I realized that getting 10,000 steps a day didn’t necessarily translate to good health and overall fitness. Some days yes, some no. But the point was that attaining 10,000 steps was the magic elixir. “You must get the 10,000 steps!”

But, some 10,000 step days were filled with exhilarating workouts, other days with slow but steady progress, and others filled with a lost day of activity that made me wonder how the 10,000 steps was reached. 

Define quality and meeting goals

These analogies fit how individuals and businesses can approach goal setting and measuring achievement. Some strive purposefully; others let life happen or re-up the same goals over and over again, wondering why overall goals remain unfulfilled.

To have an organized plan to meeting your goals, the approach discussed below can be effective:

1. Write down goals in key areas. Three goals in each of these focus points will give you a year filled with hard work and reward:

1. Spiritual goals

2. Family goals

3. Health goals

4. Contributions (serving others with time and talents)

5. Financial goals

6. Career success

1. Define the action steps you’ll need to attain those goals

2. Commit yourself to action

3. Review your highest priority goals every day

4. Review and re-prioritize goals every week – have weekly, quarterly and semi-annual targets

5. Assess your success each week, refocus or zero in on an area if needed

6. Modify goals if needed as your year progresses

7. Do this same process in a more general manner for longer-term goals – 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25-year goals.

The list is written towards individual goal setting, but can be equally effective in setting business goals. For example, all businesses have spiritual and family aspects, they’re labeled “company philosophy” and “team”.

You’ll find many books that take a deeper dive into goal setting, but at a high level, every method has its foundation in these attributes, making for a well-rounded individual and organization.

 What am I doing now?

 Thanks for asking!

 I now measure exercise and effort by how many minutes it takes to do a particular activity, like running, weights, cals, or biking. These goals are measured by exercise minutes per week. Measuring activity by minutes gives greater focus and more specific measures toward attaining the stated health goals. 10,000 steps a day does not enter into the equation. I know this approach is working, based on the metrics I use to measure success. 

Oh, I bet you thought I meant my overall goals, not the Fitbit. For the overall goals, I’m trying to stick to the plan above. Setting goals in these main areas and having a written plan, constant reinforcement, measurement, and focus bring great results and goal attainment. Plus, having longer-term goals also brings optimism. I’m in my early 60’s and have that 25-year plan in place, updating it every year. My optimism knows no bounds. 

10,000 steps a day may work for you when it comes to health goals, but it doesn’t fit every category that will make you a well-rounded individual or business and bring you great success. Try the method discussed in this article for one quarter of the year. You’ll be amazed at the results and your desire to continue. 

About Russ Hissom - Article Author

Russ Hissom, CPA is a principal of Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists a firm that provides power utilities rate, expert witness, and consulting services, and online/on-demand courses on accounting, rates, FERC/RUS construction accounting, financial analysis, and business process improvement services. Russ was a partner in a national accounting and consulting firm for 20 years. He works with electric investor-owned and public power utilities, electric cooperatives, broadband providers, and gas, water, and wastewater utilities. His goal is to share industry best practices to help your business perform effectively and efficiently and meet the challenges of the changing power and utilities industry.  

Find out more about Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists here, or you can reach Russ at russ.hissom@utilityeducation.com.

The material in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or accounting advice provided by Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists. You should seek formal advice on this topic from your accounting or legal advisor.

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