Why Keeping Track, Not Score, Is the Best Advice You’ll Ever Get

Sometimes, the most profound advice comes from the simplest statements. "Always keep track but never keep score" is the single best piece of advice I’ve ever received, and it’s something every driven, success-minded individual should adopt. But why? And how does it apply to your journey?

The Story

Let me take you back to a conversation I had early in my career. I was in the middle of a stressful week, frustrated that the results I expected weren’t aligning with the effort I was putting in. I felt like I was constantly falling behind, despite doing all the right things. Ever been there?

That’s when someone wiser than me dropped this little gem: “Keep track, but don’t keep score.”

It felt counterintuitive at first, especially when everything in business and life tells us that the numbers are what matter. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

Keeping Track vs. Keeping Score

Think about it for a second. Keeping score focuses solely on the outcomes—Did I win or lose? Did I hit that number? It’s easy to get obsessed with these results, right? But here’s the catch: when we only focus on the score, we lose sight of the process.

Keeping track, on the other hand, means you're focusing on the effort, the growth, the journey. You track your daily habits, the steps you’re taking toward your goal, but you don’t let the outcome—whether you’re winning or losing—determine your worth or your drive.

Why This Shift in Mindset Matters

When we only look at the final score, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. After all, how many times have you been frustrated because you didn’t hit that arbitrary number? You know the feeling—it’s like you’re running on a hamster wheel, trying to reach a destination that keeps moving further away.

But when you focus on keeping track of the process, everything changes. You start to see the small victories: the habits you’re building, the skills you’re mastering, the little tweaks that make a world of difference. And before you know it, those little wins add up.

How I Apply This in Business

In my own business, whether I’m working with healthcare professionals or entrepreneurs, I remind them to keep track of their growth, not just the outcomes. It’s not about hitting a revenue target right away; it’s about building systems and offers that work. When you obsess over the score, you lose the motivation that comes from seeing consistent progress.

The Real Win

The truth is, success isn't a race to the finish line. It's about continuously leveling up, day by day. So, if you're stuck in a loop of measuring yourself by wins and losses, stop. Start tracking your progress, your learning, and your effort. I guarantee that over time, you’ll be surprised at how much further you've come when you're not obsessed with keeping score.

Conclusion

So here’s my advice to you today—start keeping track and stop keeping score. Don’t get caught up in the final results just yet. Stay focused on the process, and the success you seek will follow.

Follow Greg on Socials:

https://www.Instagram.com/gregtoddpt

https://www.Facebook.com/gregtoddpt

https://www.tiktok.com/gregtoddpt

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoddpt