Importance of numbers

Are you in a place where you do not have to run through numbers for a living? If yes, then I'm assuming that you are not in the general number crunching based professions such as banking, accounting, finance, brokerage, etc. I was, and to some degree still am in a space where I do not have to literally crunch numbers for a living. But over time I have begun to enjoy seeing meaningful patters by interpreting numbers... much like how Morpheus and his team could see real images by scanning the scrolling stream of computer code / digital rain in the movie 'The Matrix'.

To put it in a very simple perspective, numbers represent a certain value. Value is something that can be associated with absolutely anything right from very esoteric / non-tangible concepts like dreams, imagination, ideas, concepts, relationships, satisfaction levels, etc... to the very typical tangible and gross concepts such as quantities, prices, etc. Just close your eyes for a few seconds and think of the word 'numbers'. I'm guessing that most of you would get thoughts on the lines of the price of the latest gadgets and gizmos on the top of your 'must buy' list, your bank balance, stock prices, the daily departure time of the train / bus you catch to get to work, and other such rather dry but practical things. These are normal, but also mostly boring and uninspiring thoughts (except for the gizmo part I guess).

Now try and re-look at the concept of numbers in the context of the more intangible, non-obvious, vague, and subjective concepts like the ones I've hinted at above. Which is your favourite out of the all time top 10 movies that you have watched? Of all the inspiring ideas that you've ever had (from how to fool your college professor to how to change the world), which is the one that you most believed in? Now the usage of numbers to arrive at the top pick (whether it is the best movie or best idea) makes the usage of numbers more of fun.

Also remember, what can be measured can be controlled or improved. So the more proficient you are with using numbers, the greater are the areas where you could apply this prowess, thereby increasing the number of areas of your life that you now have direct control over.

Getting closer to your work place, it is this non-typical perspective to numbers that can actually turn-around things for you, in a great fun way. Here are some simple and effective ways on how you could use numbers to showcase the value your giving and thereby surge ahead professionally.

- Track the number of times you need to meet with your boss to get his/her help to resolve issues. Assuming that you are accomplishing more with lesser and lesser dependence on your boss, highlight this during your performance appraisal. It would be cooler if you could also quantify the number of hours of interaction over the past months. Any boss would love to work with subordinates who deliver more with less of over-sight.

- Track the number of suggestions that you gave your boss over the last several months across various issues. Assuming that these weren't really ridiculous ideas, it goes to prove how creative you are in problem solving and how you can emerge as the 'think tank' within your team for arriving at effective solutions.

- Track the time in the day when you are most prone to making mistakes in your work, maybe it is just before lunch break, or just before you have to leave for the day. Make slight alterations as needed based on this learning and notice the improved difference in your overall output.

I could go on... but I'm assuming that by now you get the basic idea of what I'm trying to say.

Another quick point before I sign-off; in the above examples, I've assumed that you are good at what you do and you are using numbers to basically track and present your value in absolute measurable terms. However if you try these valuation techniques and arrive at unimpressive results... you should get even more excited. You have now finally arrived at the root-cause of why people around just do not appreciate your work. All you have to do is place your focus and attention on improving these precise areas needing improvement and you are sure to move in the right direction. Of course, this also calls for other faculties such as being a good learner and having the right attitude, but I'll write about this in a different post.