Tracking: A Necessary Evil?

2018 was the first time I actually committed to tracking my day. I’d tried it before, multiple times, but it never stuck. What was different this time? I think I stopped looking at tracking as something that would fix my life, and started seeing it as a slow, steady path to becoming the man I wanted to be.

I just remember how I let go of how it was supposed to look and feel and I just bought into the process. And I’ll tell you what, I fell in love with the journey. Seriously. I was noticing things in my life start to change over time. They were subtle changes, but I was excited to see them. I felt like I was taking my growth and development into my own hand not just hoping something great would happen.

I also noticed that what felt like effort in the beginning started to become easier and more enjoyable. Tracking isn’t a perfect process, but what I love about it the most is how grounded it makes me feel. It’s helped me lead myself better, and lead others better too.

And that’s why I’m so passionate about this conversation. Because I know firsthand, tracking isn’t about control. It’s about ownership. And when we resist tracking, we often resist our own growth.

Tracking your growth sounds simple. But let’s be honest, it’s not always easy. In fact, most people resist it. Even people who care deeply about their growth struggle to do it consistently.

Why?

Because tracking isn’t just about numbers. It’s about facing yourself.

Here are eight common reasons people resist tracking, and the truth that can set them free:

1. Avoidance

We don’t want to look at what’s uncomfortable—finances, time, discipline, effort. So we delay. We say we’ll start next week. But growth delayed is growth denied.

“I’ll get to it later. This just isn’t the right time.”

2. Perfectionism

We think tracking has to be perfect or it doesn’t count. But progress isn’t perfect. It’s messy. It’s missing a day and getting back on track the next.

“If I can’t do it right, I don’t want to do it at all.”

3. All-or-Nothing Thinking

We believe consistency means never messing up. So when we do, we quit. But consistency is just coming back again.

“I always fall off. I can’t stay consistent with anything.”

4. Self-Sabotage

Tracking is a form of care. It signals, "I matter." But if we don’t believe we deserve growth, we resist it.

“I’ll probably mess it up anyway, so what’s the point?”

5. Emotional Reasoning

It feels annoying. Hard. Overwhelming. So we assume it doesn’t work. But feeling resistance doesn’t mean the thing isn’t good for you.

“This just stresses me out. It’s not for me.”

6. People Pleasing

Tracking requires boundaries. It means taking time for you. But if your worth is tied to pleasing others, it feels selfish to slow down and reflect.

“I’ll just go with the flow so I don’t let anyone down.”

7. Mind Reading

We think others will judge us for trying. For being intentional. For growing. So we downplay what we care about.

“They’ll think I’m being too intense.”

8. Overworking

We’re so focused on grinding, we don’t pause to assess. But tracking isn’t a break from the work—it’s what makes the work more sustainable.

“I can’t stop to reflect. There’s too much to do.”

So Why Track Anyway?

Because what gets measured gets managed. Because the goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Because tracking is a quiet rebellion against the chaos.

It’s a way to say:

• My effort matters.

• My time matters.

• I matter.

If you’ve struggled to track, you’re not alone. But the minute you start paying attention, you start building momentum.

And momentum changes everything.