Rowan Spazzoli

Benchmarking is comparing or evaluating something to a standard. In the education system, for example, there are standardised tests such as the Matric Exams which are used to evaluate students, schools and areas.

The important thing is that these comparisons are done using significant volumes of data and a uniform method of measurement. It then makes sense to contrast different schools or districts which can then inform policy makers where to direct more attention or resources.

Personal benchmarking

We get so used to this system that we continue to subconsciously (or consciously) benchmark ourselves into our adult lives. There is so much that we want to compare, with questions such as:

• How much is everyone earning?
• Who is getting big positions/promotions?
• What is the right age to marry? Why are some people getting married so young/old?
• How much leave/holiday time are people getting compared to what I get?

These sort of questions jump out at us all the time. And when we hear someone has gotten more/ better than us we tend to think we’re doing badly.

The problem with doing this is that these comparisons miss the fundamental components of benchmarking:

1. There is no standardised way to assess
2. Your sample size is often limited to a very small sample (usually just a story from one friend)
3. There is no set/average/normal level

This makes these comparisons futile exercises. Your benchmarking process is a complete waste of time.

The solution? Well… that ranges from fixing your internal dialogue to changing the way school assessment happens. There’s a lot to be done.

But the principle is simple: go at your own pace, and realise that trying to benchmark yourself is a flawed process. As long as you’re happy with your reality, then you’re doing it right.

Image is of Jared getting in the way of my sunset pic 😉

Song of the day: Porter Robinson - Language

Blog 158/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

I remember a scene in “The Matrix” where Trinity and Neo come across a helicopter. Neo asks Trinity if she can fly it and she replies with “not yet” and proceeds to call the operator. She asks for a pilot program for a B-212 helicopter, which the operator is able to find. He uploads it to her and she is able to learn the commands instantly.

“Let’s go” she says to Neo as they hop in the helicopter and fly away.

Learn Instantly

At the time I thought that having something uploaded to your brain like that would be one of the most astonishing abilities.

• Wanna learn karate? Done
• Need to learn quantum physics? Sorted
• Going to China and need to speak the language? 简易!

If Elon Musk has his way, this might be a not to distant reality, thanks to things like Neuralink.

But we’re actually kind of living in an age like that anyway. With access to high speed internet, it is possible to learn anything we want, whenever we want to. It takes a little longer than it does in the matrix, but it’s still possible.

For example, today I needed to change the battery in my car. I had never done something like that before. But on the way back from the battery centre I read two articles and watched a sort YouTube video.

And bam! I had learnt how to do it myself.

I’m basically a mechanic now.

Learning to leverage

We have access to more knowledge than we can ever comprehend. Knowledge used to be one of the most valuable assets. But it’s becoming more open and more free.

It’s now about being able to acquire that knowledge quickly, leverage it and apply it.

You can learn to do anything. So what are you waiting for?

Image was taken this afternoon on my run 🙂 first time I’ve run in a while and I managed 10km. Was aiming for 20km but my knee started giving me problems

Song of the day: GoodLuck & Boris Smith - Be Yourself

Blog 156/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here