Book Review: Measure What Matters by John Doerr

A Practical Guide for Paramedics to Set and Achieve Career Goals

John Doerr’s Measure What Matters is an essential read for anyone looking to turn aspirations into reality through a structured and measurable approach. Originally designed for high-performing organizations like Google, the Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) framework introduced in this book is equally valuable for individuals aiming to excel in their careers. For paramedics, Measure What Matters offers a powerful toolkit to break down career ambitions into actionable steps, track progress, and ensure every effort aligns with long-term goals.

➡️ What Are OKRs?

At its core, OKRs are a goal-setting system designed to create clarity, accountability, and focus. Each OKR consists of two parts:

1. Objective: A clear and ambitious goal that sets the direction.
2. Key Results: Measurable outcomes that indicate progress toward achieving the objective.

For paramedics, OKRs can bridge the gap between career planning and actionable milestones. They help paramedics focus on what truly matters, whether it’s advancing in clinical practice, transitioning into leadership, or improving patient care.

➡️ Key Insights for Paramedics

1. Clarity Through Specific Objectives

Doerr emphasizes the importance of setting clear, meaningful objectives. Ambiguous goals like “become better at my job” are replaced with focused objectives such as “improve critical care skills to prepare for Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) training.” This clarity ensures every effort is directed toward meaningful outcomes.

• How Paramedics Can Apply This: Define specific career aspirations, such as earning certifications, gaining clinical experience, or transitioning into leadership roles. A clear objective gives you direction and purpose, making it easier to map out your career.

2. Tracking Progress with Key Results

Key Results are the measurable milestones that signal progress toward an objective. For example, if the objective is to specialize in trauma care, key results might include:

• Completing a trauma-focused certification within six months.
• Gaining 50 hours of trauma-related clinical experience within the next year.
• Shadowing a trauma specialist for 10 hours to gain insights.

These measurable outcomes help paramedics track their progress, adjust their approach if necessary, and stay motivated by celebrating small wins along the way.

• How Paramedics Can Apply This: Break long-term goals into short-term, measurable steps. Regularly review these metrics to ensure you’re on track, and adjust as needed to accommodate changes in your workload or priorities.

3. Focus on What Matters Most

One of the standout lessons from Measure What Matters is the importance of prioritization. In the fast-paced environment of paramedicine, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by competing demands. Doerr’s framework encourages individuals to focus on a few critical objectives at a time, rather than spreading themselves too thin.

• How Paramedics Can Apply This: Choose no more than 3–5 objectives at a time to avoid overcommitment. For example:
  • Objective 1: Advance clinical expertise.
  • Objective 2: Develop leadership skills.
  • Objective 3: Build resilience and work-life balance.

This focused approach ensures you make meaningful progress without sacrificing your well-being or professional effectiveness.

4. The Power of Accountability

Doerr highlights the role of transparency and accountability in achieving goals. Sharing OKRs with mentors, supervisors, or peers fosters collaboration and provides a support system to keep you motivated.

• How Paramedics Can Apply This: Discuss your career objectives and key results with a trusted mentor or colleague. Regular check-ins can provide valuable feedback, encouragement, and a sense of accountability to stay on track.

5. Flexibility to Adapt

While OKRs provide structure, Doerr stresses the importance of flexibility. As priorities shift or unexpected challenges arise, OKRs can be revised to remain relevant and achievable. For paramedics, this adaptability is particularly important given the dynamic nature of their work.

• How Paramedics Can Apply This: Schedule quarterly reviews of your objectives and key results. Reflect on what’s working, identify any barriers, and adjust your OKRs as needed to reflect new opportunities or challenges.

🔥Why Measure What Matters Is a Must-Read for Paramedics

Paramedics often face a unique set of challenges when it comes to career planning, from unpredictable schedules to the emotional demands of their work. Measure What Matters provides a framework that empowers paramedics to take control of their professional development in a structured, achievable way. By breaking down ambitious goals into actionable steps and focusing on measurable outcomes, paramedics can create a roadmap for success while staying aligned with their values and priorities.

John Doerr’s Measure What Matters is more than just a guide to goal-setting—it’s a blueprint for turning aspirations into actionable achievements. For paramedics, adopting the OKR framework can make career planning less overwhelming and more effective, providing clarity, accountability, and focus. Whether you’re aiming to specialize in a clinical area, step into leadership, or simply build resilience in your role, Measure What Matters offers the tools to get there one measurable step at a time.

You can access Measure What Matters by John Doerr via print, digital or audio format. Hit the link below to head to his webpage with more content available.