Better ways to measure progress.

On a coaching call the other day, I said something that was an "Ah-ha" moment for both of us: "I believe that you are focusing on your process goals, but I think you're measuring by outcomes."

The handler agreed, and we went on to unpack how this was showing up and what she could do about it. But the phrase stuck with me, at least partly because I realize I do this too.

Measuring progress can be a tough nut to crack. It's often tempting to judge our progress by the number of green ribbons we bring home, as it's a tangible and easily quantifiable measure. But here's the kicker: lots of Qs don't necessarily mean we're becoming better handlers. (Let that sink in.)

The bottom line is that we need to find a more effective way to measure our progress. You're probably familiar with the concept of SMART goals, where SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. This model is an excellent test for many of our process goals, though I realize we may not always have the discipline to apply it.

For instance, if a process goal is to "cue earlier,' that goal is specific, can be measured (did we do it), is achievable and realistic, and is time-bound in that it can be done during our run. While I used this model throughout my corporate life, I find it clunky for handling. Instead, I simply ask handlers, "How will you know you've done it?"

Remember, process goals should be 100% within our control, therefore we should be able to know if we have done them or not. If you can look back at your run and assess whether or not you cued early, connected out of the tunnel, or picked your dog up on the about turn, then you've likely got yourself measurable process goals.

So, back to the crux of the issue: measuring by outcomes. Once we have some juicier process goals (preferably in writing), we can go back after the run/weekend and measure how we did against them. Trying to improve your rear crosses? Working on celebrating between (obedience) exercises? Focusing on quieting your handling? Slowing down your runs? While subjective, these process goals can be assessed and improved upon - in other words, measured. Once we can measure, we can assess progress and celebrate milestones.

It will always be challenging to explain to non-dog people "how we did" when assessing by process goals - I get it. Joyfully recounting how well your dog did a recall or that they got their contacts might be lost on the listener. But your assessment is the only one that matters. YES, we all want to Q, but we also desperately want to know we're getting better, and the Q is not the only measure of progress!