We embrace the metrics' intended consequences at the birth of the metric. The unintended consequences are vivid at its death.

Every parent has lived the dream of their child going to bed without complaint. The absence of this reality prompts a heavy negotiation and a variation of the "quickly to bed" metric. Each night sleep happens without an academy award performance; the child earns a treat, a star, or fake Internet points.

This measure's effectiveness is quickly revealed at the end of the first week. The reward has to be significant for a three-year-old to demonstrate self-control for seven days in a row. The creativity a child exerts to bend the rules and still satisfy the contractual obligations is majestic. The timing coincides with seeing clearly how the metric drive's behavior.

Behavior is a good indicator of how your personal or business metrics work. If a retirement fund balance prevents binges at the poker table to help save, then it is working. However, if meeting sales goals are driving dishonest reporting, it is time to rework the metric.

What are the key metrics you use in your life, and how is behavior influenced?