This is the final article of the August throughline: The First Principles of Feedback: Harness the Fundamentals of Effective Critique.
We explore the various components of the feedback dynamic and a running metaphor to stretch our thinking.
Lace Up
Getting ready for my morning run has become a routine.
I check my GPS watch is ready to go, hit play on my headphones and adjust the music that will play at the start. I always pause for a moment to focus on the tightness of my laces, and then I click the button on my watch and am off.
But it is only once my shoes start to pound out a pattern on the road that I understand the type of run I will have.
Once I am moving, I notice the cold air against my face and arms.
I feel the level of fatigue or energy in my legs and how my joints feel with each step.
I pay attention to my breathing and how my body responds to movement.
After a few more minutes, my watch chimes in with the first kilometre statistics. The notification is read out in my ears, so I don’t have to look, explaining the story of that last 1000 metres.
I focus on the pace and compare it to the hundreds of first kilometres I have tracked. I also project forward to the distance I aim for and what that means today with all the other feedback I have.
Running is a flood of receiving and processing feedback signals from the whole experience.
Set a Direction
When I run, I set a direction. I choose the distance and then pick a course or route I want to run. In life, we often put our sights on a goal or dream. We may not consistently achieve it, but the act of setting a direction gives us something to strive for.
- Where am I heading?
- Is this the best direction for me?
- What is the goal or desired outcome of this project?”
It is the difference between lifting your head to look down at the path’s end and fixating on your next step. Don’t lose sight of your goal or direction. By setting a direction, we can help to focus the feedback process.
Monitor for Signals of Progress
As we run, we monitor for signals of progress. We may track our distance with a GPS watch, notice landmarks on our favourite route, or pay close attention to changes in our physiological state. We need these to close the feedback loop, keep us moving forward, and make adjustments along the way.
- How am I progressing?
- What are the indicators that show me how well I’m doing?
- What can I do to improve my progress?
There are many signals when I run, and I know nothing is isolated. In your projects, make the most of a diverse set of signals so that nothing gets isolated, which can lead to assumptions.
⏭🎯 Your Next Steps
Commit to action and turn words into works
- Set a direction: Figure out what you want to achieve and where you want to go.
- Monitor for progress: Watch for signals that tell you how well you’re doing and make adjustments along the way.
- Lift your head up: Keep your goals and objectives in mind so you don’t lose sight of what’s essential.