Leading indicators.
This concept has fascinated me since I first learnt about it in college.
I always look out for them - while analysing business metrics, betting on people, and decoding life in general.
Discovered one such while talking to a primary school teacher with decades of experience the other day:
The single most important predictor of success in life she has seen among her students is the level of their attendance in school. The more regular they were in attending the school, the better off they are in life.
Their IQ, EQ, how good they were in studies, how much they participated in class, their communication skills, their economic background - nothing from their primary school days mattered as much as their attendance.
Now, this is purely anecdotal. It sounded too simplistic to me initially. I didn't even ask how she defines success.
Yet, on deeper reflection, it struck a chord.
1. 'Showing up' is one of the most under-appreciated life skills.
2. It sounds easy. But doing so consistently - even when your chips are down - is hard.
3. Good habits formed in early years give us an incredible advantage that yields compounding benefits throughout the life without us even realising.
So, if you can recall an instance where your parents forced you to school when you so wanted to skip, go give them a hug😊