Creating Your Own Door When Opportunity Doesn’t Knock
Why focusing on the right actions (not just the results) could be the breakthrough you need
There’s so much in life that’s out of our control. We can’t do much about recessions, delays, or how other people behave. But one thing is always within our power: how we show up for our lives.
Last time, we agreed that when you’re stuck, the answer isn’t in setting huge, audacious goals—it’s in making small, consistent steps forward. (You can catch that post here if you missed it.)
Today, I want to introduce a simple but powerful shift in thinking—one that changed how I approach goals personally and professionally. It comes from The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling, and it’s the difference between Lag Measures and Lead Measures.
🧭 Lag vs Lead: The Mindset Shift
Lag Measures are the results—things like your weight, your income, your number of clients. By the time you see them, they’ve already happened. You can’t change them.
Lead Measures, on the other hand, are the actions you can take today. They’re predictive and controllable. Do them well, and your results will follow.
Let’s use weight loss as an example. Stepping on the scale every day won’t change anything—it might even frustrate you. But tracking your 30-minute workouts, your daily steps, or your food portions? That’s where the magic lies. Show up for those consistently, and the scale will eventually respond.
Business works the same way. Want to grow your revenue by 20%? Don’t obsess over the bank balance. Instead, focus on the things that drive results:
→ Building awareness
→ Generating leads
→ Making solid offers
→ Following up
→ Closing deals
These are lead measures. Get those right, and the revenue (a lag measure) will catch up.
🛠️ Build Your Own Door
As we have agreed severally on this blog. We will only make progress if we take ownership for our journey, make ourselves accountable, and take responsibility for our growth.
It is easy to wallow in the mud of despair, I have been there- stuck, longingly looking at the goals I desire. but not any more!
it is possible to break camp and progress because no matter the situation, we decide the next move we will take- thats the Game of life!
Maybe you feel the opportunity you desire hasn’t knocked lately. That’s okay. You can build your own door with what’s in your hands today.
Are you lonely? Reach out. Reconnect. Be intentional.
Burnt out? What can you pause or delegate this week?
Lost a job? What network can you activate? What skill can you monetize?
Small steps matter. Track the ones that move you forward.
Pen Time – A Moment to Reflect
What’s your consuming goal right now? (Lag Measure)
What small, consistent actions will get you there? (Lead Measures)
What will you do today to move one step forward?
💬 Let’s Talk:
What’s one lead measure you're committing to this week? Hit reply or drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.
Till Next time,
Lynette, Writer, Coach, Friend