Lead & Lag Indicators – Essential to Every Success Planning Process.
Have you ever caught yourself obsessing over external results? Felt the emotional highs when things go your way, and the crushing lows when they don’t?
This article is about shifting that mindset.
Learn to stop riding the emotional rollercoaster by chasing outcomes you can’t control. Focus more on what you can manage, such as your daily actions, commitments, and the process that leads to success.
To do this, we need to distinguish between two types of targets
- Lag indicators – The external results we measure (revenue, weight loss, social media engagement, etc.).
- Lead indicators – The actions within our control that drive those results (sales calls, workouts, content creation, etc.).
Let’s explore why focusing on what you can control (lead indicators) matters more than worrying about external results (lag indicators).
What Are Lead Vs Lag Indicators?
Understanding Lead vs. Lag Indicators
In 2019, I discovered lead and lag indicators when I read The 12-Week Year, a fantastic book that changed my method of setting goals.
Distinguishing between lead and lag indicators has been one of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve experienced. It’s also something I emphasise with my coaching clients as they establish their own Success Planning Process.
These two types of measurements are key to tracking progress. Understanding them can make or break your ability to stay focused on what truly matters.
Lag Indicators = External targets, targets you set that aren’t directly within your control (e.g. revenue projections, engagement numbers, weight loss target).
Lead Indicators = The controllable targets (actions you will take) that drive progress (e.g. making sales calls, publishing content, exercising).
Why This Distinction Matters
One major mistake people make is concentrating too much on things they cannot control (lag indicators). They frequently examine sales reports, step on the scales to see weight loss outcomes, or check social media engagement. They connect their emotions to results beyond their full control.
This leads to frustration, stress, and a feeling of helplessness when things don’t go as expected.
There is a time and a place to review results, and we will get to that soon.
To overcome daily frustration, focus on actions you can control instead of external results (lead indicators). Lead indicators are the daily, controllable actions you’ve identified as the best path to achieving your external goals.
Example: Lead vs. Lag Indicators in Action
Let’s say you’re trying to lose weight. Your lag indicator might be to lose 10kg over the next 10 weeks—a clear, measurable outcome.
But here’s the catch: You can’t directly control how much weight your body loses each week, and right now you might not know what’s required, but that’s okay!
Instead of fixating on the number on the scale, create a plan based on what you can control, and focus on it for a set period of time (a list of lead indicators).
These are the daily actions you commit to that give you the best chance of success.
For example, this week I will:
- Limit eating to 1,500 calories per day
- Exercise for 30 minutes per day
Your goal is to stick to this plan every day. At the end of the week, you’ll measure and review your progress.
That’s it. These actions are completely in your control, including the end-of-week review—no external factors required.
Using Lag Indicators in Your Regular Reviews
It’s essential to regularly review your progress to ensure you’re staying on track toward your goals.
This is the time to assess whether you’re making the progress you expected.
In the example above, at the end of the week, you would weigh in and compare the actual result with the planned 1kg loss.
If the results aren’t what you expected, instead of stressing over the outcome, use this feedback to your advantage. Decide how to adjust your lead indicators in the next period to keep moving forward.
By following this success planning process, you stay proactive, in control, and build a positive cycle of continuous improvement and better outcomes.
Key Takeaway:
- Your lead indicators are are you focus for all daily action.
- Measure actual results against your lag indicators at specific intervals to ensure your strategy is working
- When you shift your attention to what’s within your control, you take the emotional rollercoaster out of the equation.
- Stay committed to your actions, reflect on your results, and refine as needed.
- Focus on what you can control
- This is the real formula for hitting your goals.
The Trap of Focusing Too Much on What You Can’t Control
Both lead and lag indicators are essential for success. While lag indicators measure progress, overly focusing on them can lead to stress, self-doubt, and inconsistency.
The key is to grasp the cycle of action focused on what you can control, instead of always worrying about external outcomes.
Imagine this: Your goal is to hit a specific target—whether it’s a revenue milestone, a weight loss goal, or growing your audience. The problem is, you don’t control the outcome directly. The result might fluctuate and sometimes seem out of reach, creating uncertainty and, with it, emotional highs and lows.
Choose a positive cycle by focusing on what you can control: your thoughts, ideas, actions, and ability to follow through. It’s about pre-deciding the steps needed to hit your target—your lag indicator—and committing to the actions, or lead indicators, that will drive you there.
Here’s the process:
- Pre-decide the Plan: Decide on the next milestone, the timeframe, the specific lag indicator you’re aiming for (e.g., 10kg weight loss or $10,000 monthly revenue), and the lead indicators (actions) that will get you there. This is where you set yourself up for success.
- The Doing Phase: Now, commit to the actions. Focus solely on what you’ve decided needs to be done. Don’t waste time constantly checking external results—just focus on the day-to-day actions that are within your control.
- Reflection & Learning: At the right time—whether weekly, monthly, or at specific milestones—take a step back and reflect on your progress. Review the lag indicators and see how they align with your lead indicators. If the results aren’t as expected, this is your moment to learn and pivot. You’ll update your plan with new lead indicators and strategies as needed.
- Repeat: Then, get back into action. Continue the cycle of focusing on what you control—your actions—and repeating the process until you reach your goal. This is all about getting feedback and improving as you go.
This system creates a powerful, positive cycle. When you follow it, the focus is on consistent action, steady improvement, and learning from feedback. And here’s the best part: over time, the results will follow.
For more on how I apply this strategy into my own success planning process, check out this post—Stay focused on your goals and start taking control of your journey to long-term success.
Trust the Success Planning Process!
At the end of the day, sustainable success isn’t about obsessing over external results. It’s about committing to the right actions, tracking progress, and refining your approach based on what’s working. The more you focus on lead indicators, the more empowered and in control you become—this is the essence of the success planning process.
So, take a moment to reflect: What are the lead indicators that will move you toward your biggest goals?
Define them, track them, and commit to them consistently—the success will follow.
By shifting your mindset from chasing outcomes to mastering the process, you set yourself up for long-term, sustainable success.s.
If you’re ready to take control of your success, book a call with me today to learn more about how the Success Planning Process can help you reach your goals!
