Sports analogies are often used to give guidance for how to improve in life and in business. However, there is one key aspect that differentiates sport from life & business. The frequency and clarity of Feedback Loops.

I'm going to share a feedback system to help bring you the feedback you need to progress with your goals and ambitions.

So what can we learn from Sport? Sports teams typically get direct, clear feedback every time they play. They also get qualitative and quantitive feedback daily:

• Coach & peer feedback

• Physical performance metrics

• Video analysis

Life isn't quite like that. Think about work performance. If you're lucky, you get monthly 1-2-1's and quarterly performance appraisals. Most get much less. Some get nothing.

Without feedback, you're drifting without direction

• Direction: without feedback, how do you know if you're moving in the right direction

• Efficiency: feedback can help identify wasted or unhelpful efforts

• Fast-track: feedback from those ahead of you can speed up your journey

• Validation: feedback from multiple sources can help validate a theory or hypothesis

Here's how you can build in a holistic feedback system to keep on track.

3 steps to a holistic feedback system

Reflection: First, build in regular reviews with...yourself. Frequency should be daily or weekly. Sit down, and write down your thoughts on these questions.

• Am I still heading on the right course to my main focus / goal?

• Did I put enough intentional time into my main focus / goal today?

• What habit or action moved me tangibly forward towards my main focus / goal today?

• Is there anything that I could do better tomorrow?

Metrics: Second, identify and regularly measure 2-3 key lead metrics that support your goal or focus. Ideally frequency of metrics should be daily or weekly.

A lead metric is input focused. For example, when writing daily articles, record and review metrics such as:

• Time invested

• Ideas generated

• Daily enjoyment rating

These items are much more within your control, and lead to better outcome or lag metrics (e.g., number of articles posted, likes, followers etc.)

Feedback: Finally, find a way to get feedback from others on your process and outputs.

• Outputs: find a community like Twitter, Slack, LinkedIn. Frequency should be multiple times per week.

• Processes and approach: find 3-5 people that have mastered what you are trying to do. If you don't have an existing relationship, you can still learn from reviewing from afar how others do things and comparing it to your processes and habits.