An article on personal analytics sites and why they can help you reach your goals… or mental instability!
"An unexamined life is not worth living."
Apology of Socrates - Plato.
There is nothing to do: as much as I try to suppress it, the engineer in me sometimes comes out and this article is a sad confirmation! ;-)
In this article I want to talk to you about Nike +, of statistics and the new trend that is spreading in the world of personal growth. Don't worry… it won't be an engineering lesson; indeed, you could get some interesting ideas to improve your results and achieve your desired goals.
It is 14:53 on 11.10.2009 and I have written 126 words of this article.
Are you ready? Let's go.
What is Nike +?
Nike + is nothing more than an evolved "pedometer" for running enthusiasts, born from the collaboration between Apple and Nike. The Nike + system consists of 3 key elements:
- The receiver. You can use Nike + with iPod nano, iPod Touch and iPhone 3GS. By starting the appropriate application you can monitor your run (speed, distance, calories) while listening to your favorite songs.
- The sensor. This small piece of plastic and microchip fits into your running shoes and is used to collect your training information. Nike has created special shoes to use the Nike + sensor, but the truth is that you can use it with any running shoe. As for me, I keep it tucked between my shoelaces: a simple and functional position.
- The portal. Once your training is complete, you can connect your Apple device to iTunes and your run data will be automatically uploaded to the Nike + portal, where you can: view your performance in the last run, define training goals, follow a training plan and challenge your friends.
Training with Nike + just works, do you know why? Every time you record your progress you are pushed to improve yourself. Every time you log your workouts you are pushed not to skip the next one. Every time you record your run you put a face on your willpower.
Is Nike + essential for training? But not even for a dream! Yet Nike + embodies the latest trend in personal growth.
The new trend of personal growth
Nike + is just the most famous of personal analytics systems, that is, those systems that allow us to measure any aspect of our life.
There are sites to record your sexual activity (I'm not kidding), sites to monitor your habits, sites to measure your productivity on the internet, sites to track your physical activity progress, and sites to measure exactly what you don't. would you have thought!
But GetPersonalGrowth, don't you think it's a bit of an exaggeration to monitor every single aspect of your life?
Do you want an honest answer? I think it is from mentally ill! Still, some personal analytics sites, used correctly, can be very useful in helping you reach your goals.
Start a personal growth path, first of all, it means becoming aware of your areas for improvement and personal analytics sites can help you in just that.
After all, these sites are nothing more than the evolution of personal diaries, but unlike a diary:
- they are much more structured and facilitate the collection of "data";
- they are focused on a single aspect of your life (eg sporting activity);
- they are often accompanied by forums in which to discuss and compare with people who have the same passion as you.
So should I start recording my life on the internet?
No, I don't think it's a good idea; but if you have decided to change your habits, finding a personal analytics site that can accompany you on your journey would be a great idea. Being able to visualize your progress through graphs and images, having a daily reference that draws your attention to the change and sharing your experience with those who like you want to change, are key elements in any change process.
