Build, Measure, Learn: a start-up approach to recovery
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
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Build, Measure, Learn: a start-up approach to recovery
Hey folks. My boss recently forwarded a few of us employees an article on some strategies that work for successful start-up companies. He mentioned "if you want to build a great life, these are great tips too". After reading the article, I have to agree that it applies to sobriety as well! Think of your new-found sobriety like you are starting your own dream company. This is something fun, something positive...something you've always wanted to do but never had the stones to go for it. But, now you're "all in" and you're hoping to do big things! Sound about right? As you get your feet wet, remember some keys that will help you succeed: Build, Measure, and Learn.
Build, Measure, Learn is pretty simple. Build a product, get it into the real world, measure customers’ reactions and behaviors, learn from this, and use what you’ve learned to build something better. Repeat. Now let's see how this applies to sobriety:
In sobriety, we must Build a solid foundation. Who are we? What do we stand for? What do we want for ourselves and what do we offer others? Take stock of your qualities. You're good at so many things - where do you want your sobriety to take you? What are your goals?
It also helps to Measure our progress from time to time. This is why lots of people find it useful to say "14 days sober today!" or "3 years and counting!". We can also measure how much better we look, or how much better we feel.
We must also Learn how to manage our condition. Making mistakes is okay, as long as something is gained in the process. For example, I learned pretty early on that going to the bars/pubs as a sober individual was a bad idea. So I tossed that out of my plan. I also learned that travel and exploration seemed to be great fits for my new life, so I have continued to add more of that to my plan.
Anyway, thought it was a useful analogy and hope someone may gain something from this idea. Have a great week everyone!
Build, Measure, Learn is pretty simple. Build a product, get it into the real world, measure customers’ reactions and behaviors, learn from this, and use what you’ve learned to build something better. Repeat. Now let's see how this applies to sobriety:
In sobriety, we must Build a solid foundation. Who are we? What do we stand for? What do we want for ourselves and what do we offer others? Take stock of your qualities. You're good at so many things - where do you want your sobriety to take you? What are your goals?
It also helps to Measure our progress from time to time. This is why lots of people find it useful to say "14 days sober today!" or "3 years and counting!". We can also measure how much better we look, or how much better we feel.
We must also Learn how to manage our condition. Making mistakes is okay, as long as something is gained in the process. For example, I learned pretty early on that going to the bars/pubs as a sober individual was a bad idea. So I tossed that out of my plan. I also learned that travel and exploration seemed to be great fits for my new life, so I have continued to add more of that to my plan.
Anyway, thought it was a useful analogy and hope someone may gain something from this idea. Have a great week everyone!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
Posts: 4,064
Thanks for the kind words, folks. I think we often take such an emotional approach to recovery...sometimes it that can lead to super emotional thoughts and often be draining. While I think an emotional approach is very important, sometimes it helps to know that there are more formulaic steps as well. Kind of simplifies what can seem like an overwhelming process!
To simplify further: Don't drink. Repeat.
To simplify further: Don't drink. Repeat.
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