Isheanesu Chikumbu
Imagine you’re driving down a busy highway, humming along happily, when suddenly—bam! You take a wrong turn. Maybe you missed the signs or didn’t pay attention to the GPS, and now you’re heading into unfamiliar territory. If you had simply checked the signs or glanced at your GPS, you would have known to turn back and avoid the impending calamity. Life is much the same. Without monitoring your progress, how will you know if you’re on the right path?
The Misconception: M&E is Just for M&E Personnel
Many people think monitoring and evaluation are specialized tasks reserved for M&E personnel. But that’s a misconception that needs busting. M&E is for everyone. Yes, everyone. Whether you’re managing a project at work, running a business, or even navigating your personal life—monitoring and evaluation are your best friends.
Why Monitoring and Evaluation Are Essential in Life
Because if you don’t monitor, you might be heading straight into trouble with your eyes wide open. Some of you are busy crying foul and yelling “mujolo the pandemic!”, commenting on couples’ social media posts with cringe-worthy statements like, “Lord, if I’m an onion, please fry me.” The real reason you find yourself saying this? You don’t want to monitor and evaluate! Until you start paying attention to your progress in that relationship (or lack thereof), you risk missing critical indicators, red flags, or worse—getting into a relationship that’s not going where you’re headed – or is going nowhere at all!
Monitoring Isn’t Just for Projects; It’s a Life Skill
Think about your daily life. You set goals—maybe losing weight, saving money, or improving your skills. How do you know if you’re making progress? You track it. Maybe you keep a journal, mark your daily steps on a calendar, or use a planner to note your achievements and setbacks. These simple tools are forms of monitoring.
Everyone Can Do It—and Should
Monitoring and evaluation aren’t exclusive skills for professionals. They are life skills that anyone can develop. Whether you’re managing your career, relationships, health, or personal projects, monitoring helps you stay aligned with your goals. It allows you to see red flags early—like noticing your savings aren’t growing or your relationship is stagnant—and course-correct before it’s too late.
In abstract, monitoring and evaluation are like having a personal GPS for your life. They help you navigate, avoid wrong turns, and reach your destination faster and safer. It’s not some complex, exclusive task—it’s a simple, powerful habit that, when embraced, can truly be a Pandora’s box of opportunities to elevate your life. So, start checking the signs, track your progress, and watch how your journey transforms from chaos into clarity. I said all this to say, skipping monitoring is like you’re sailing a ship without a compass – hope you enjoy the drift.
