I wrote yesterday (dot #4000) about the importance of recording cumulative steps on a project, and an organization that exemplifies this is the local ReStore. Sponsored by Habitat for Humanity, it accepts donations of unneeded appliances, housewares, building supplies, doors, windows, furnishings, plumbing, and hardware — all for resale to benefit Habitat building projects.
Before the ReStore sells these items, it weighs them. Last month they kept 4.4 tons out of the landfill — and they tell me that it was a slow month!
By weighing all their goods, they are able to document (and use for grant purposes) the impact that they are having on the environment and community. It may have been easier for them to say we accepted X donations or sold $X of goods, but weight is a much more powerful indicator of success.
Think about what your critical number is and find a way to track it, even if it requires effort on your part to do so. The right data has power.
