• Relate to sustainability
   
  
• Make it personal
   
  
• Focus on the goal

• If people cannot understand an indicator, it won't help
   
  
• If people do not see what they can do to fix a problem, it won't help

Indicators need to be understandable. They also need to inspire individuals by pointing out a specific, practical way to solve a problem. They need to overcome the twin arguments: "That problem is too big; nothing I do can solve it" and "Well, if we don't have enough, let's just figure out a way to get more."

The following example demonstrates how to start with a traditional indicator and turn it into an effective sustainable community indicator.