How many times have you heard the phrase 'We're hitting the target but missing the point'? It's one I've heard several times in the last week in relation to a number of different types of quantitative measurement. Thinking about it I realized that I'm personally rather skewed towards quantitative measurement. I set myself targets like doing one 10k running race a month for a year (eleven done and one to go) and I have to stop myself wanting to be as competitive in my age group as I once was as I have no time to practice. This is because my target of have 'Inbox Zero' is completely unattainable so I'm on a constant treadmill – but not one that contributes to actual running prowess – of keeping up. My other self-imposed targets include: a set number of steps per day on Fitbit (but see this warning), posting 3 tweets a day and writing a blog a week.
The targets I set myself have a point: I understand their purpose, they're in a specific context that if that changes I adjust the target (or not worry about it) and they are self-imposed. Not making the numbers is not a big deal.