Before writing my goals for the next year, I make it a habit to review the current year. This helps me to take stock of what worked and what didn’t. It also provides useful points of comparison over several years that reveal longer-term progress, or lack of. Here’s a simple but effective framework to help your annual review.
Article Version: 1.1, 29th December 2009
A framework for your annual review
The framework I use is very simple. It’s presented as four key questions:
1. What were my worst failures?
2. What were my biggest lessons?
3. What were my sweetest wins?
4. What were my greatest moments?
Although I usually apply these four questions firstly, to my life overall, and secondly, to my business overall, because this is my first year on-line, I have decided to focus this post on my experiences on-line. I will post my answers to all four questions as a series of articles over the next few days.
Part 1: My 10 worst failures on-line in 2009
1. Failing Marketing 101
I have failed to identify my target audience. Coming from a sales and marketing background, not being crystal clear on who the RADSMARTS target audience is has been a source of on-going frustration. I have been flying blind and this has resulted in this blog being essentially invisible in a vast ocean of over 200,000,000 blogs. Please note that I write this with the greatest respect to the people who have visited RADSMARTS.
2. Failing financially
I have failed to make a single cent on-line. One of my main reasons for going on-line was to monetize the huge amount of intellectual property I have developed and accumulated over the past two decades. It is now obvious to me that I have completely underestimated what it will take to do that. Clearly, it’s going to take more than 6 months (I started on-line in late May 2009).
3. Failing to niche
I have failed to decide on a single-minded niche for this blog. Currently, it seems to be stuck at the intersection of ‘business development’ and ‘personal development’ – two very different worlds. Although I’ve experimented with various tag-lines for RADSMARTS, they have been far too general for my liking. The current line: ‘business development ideas that boost your performance’ is just an interim step.
4. Failing to focus
I have failed to focus the content offered on this blog. Currently, it’s a scatter-gun approach with posts across a range of unrelated categories and topics including communication and selling skills, business and financial management, innovation and creativity, and personal productivity to name a few. This ‘trying to be all things to all people’ approach is anathema to my mantra of ‘have a diamond-tipped focus’.
Obviously, this point is related to Failures 2 and 3 above.
5. Failing sustainability
I have failed to develop a sustainable approach to blogging on RADSMARTS. My rate of posting has ebbed and flowed as I have experimented with different ideas. Just as I started building up a bit of an audience, my output dropped off, and the audience disappeared with it. With a goal of building up a livelihood on-line, I will need to find an approach that can be sustained long-term.
6. Failing to learn SEO
I have failed to learn a thing about SEO. My reasons for ignoring SEO are related to Failures 1, 3 and 4 above. I rationalized that there was no point in implementing a search term strategy if I wasn’t clear on my audience, niche and content focus. After talking to SEO professionals, I now realize that this was a flawed assumption that has probably cost me dearly.
7. Failing to stop tweaking
I have failed to stop fiddling with the look, feel and functionality of this blog. Call it perfectionism, ignorance or the curious infatuation that comes with having a new and exciting project, I have spent far too much time and cash tweaking RADSMARTS at the expense of other key priorities, such as those listed above.
8. Failing at Social Media
I have failed to develop an integrated on-line approach using key Social Media sites (excluding Twitter). My attempts to make effective use of Flickr, Friendfeed, Facebook, Posterous and Stumbleupon have all flopped – primarily because of my inability to get them working properly individually, and as a part of my overall on-line strategy.
9. Failing at Linked-in
I have failed to achieve any benefit from Linked-in. Yes, I have set up an account. Yes, I have completed my profile, and even joined some groups. However, for the time and energy invested, I’m still not sure why I’m even using it. The key reason for this is that I have not made it a priority to learn how to get the most out of Linked-in. This would be the same situation for the Social Media sites mentioned in Failure 8 above.
10. Failing at failing
I have failed to fail enough! As a trained scientist, I have always respected the value of failure as a fast-track to success. Whilst preparing this list of failures, it became painfully obvious to me that I had in fact played it safe and not really risked at a level that could have delivered some serious results – successes and failures.
In summary…
I can’t reiterate the value of taking an honest and open failure-review as part of your goal setting process. It not only helps you focus on the key issues, but also helps minimize your personalization of failure – a very healthy side-benefit.
Your experience and opinion
- What’s your response to the idea of reviewing and critiquing your failures?
- What are some of your worst failures of 2009?
- Have you played it safe, or pushed the failure envelope way too hard?
Love this... 
37 Responses to this post
December 29, 2009 at 9:19 pm |
My we make a good team – i unequivocally join you with failing on the first five plus ‘tweaking’ – did slightly better on seo, linkedin and social media. In the next week I plan to work through all of the materials I have gathered from yourself, valerie khoo (online business booster bootcamp), michael port (book yourself solid)and even incorporate nancy ancowitz’s excellent self promotion for introverts. It’s going to be a big job but all of this valuable material covers the exact areas i need clarity and focus on. i imagine at the end i will have mind maps coming out my ears but i intend to come out of the process armed and dangerous! I shall call you for coffee at 40 beans when I come up for air or need to bounce something off. On the other hand I’m happy to help you with linkedin/social media directions if I can be of use.
The most difficulty I’m having still is trying to narrow down my areas of expertise and defining the target audience who most needs my help and will love working with me.
From the conversations we’ve had and the experiences I’ve had with your knowledge products to date I’ve no doubt at all that your online business will succeed in 2010.
best wishes….
Helen
December 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm |
Thanks, Helen.
I would be nervous if you were reporting failure in 6, 8 and 9. That’s where I’m relying on you for help!
I’m really looking forward to working with you in 2010 – as a team.
Let’s meet soon for that next coffee – and yes, I will ask you about SEO and Linked-In. Thanks.
Best to you, Robin
December 29, 2009 at 9:51 pm |
Robin, your list is probably a great start for a book…’how not to start your online business’ (if these failures are anything to go by!
As you say in #10, it’s about the failures that help us quickly build up our skills, knowledge or expertise. I look at your list and see 6 or 7 that apply to me for my project, although it’s not designed to make me money (yet?). I will be keen to hear your thoughts on how you resolve some of these failures and turn the RADSMARTS ship around
Best of luck in 2010 and if I can help in any way, just ask
December 30, 2009 at 2:55 pm |
Thanks, Andrew.
That’s such a lovely image – ‘turning the RADSMARTS ship around’. It brought a huge smile to my face.
Thank you for your offer of assistance. I will surely be in touch. Thanks also for helping to inspire this post. Your post http://myproactivelife.com/blog/?p=221 was a real trigger for me.
Best to you in all your projects and endeavours,
Robin
December 29, 2009 at 11:57 pm |
Robin, It’s very courageous of you to share your failures publicly – and very instructive and reassuring to the rest of us as well! If it’s any consolation, I’ve made and continue to make many of the same mistakes, which is somewhat embarrassing in that I’m an online marketer. But it is definitely easier to notice and work on another firm’s problems and shortcomings than on your own. Human nature? I hope the blogging focus exercise we’ve started has helped you – it’s certainly helped me. Best wishes for a success filled 2010, Robin.
December 30, 2009 at 3:02 pm |
Thanks, Brad. Are honesty and maturity linked?
Thanks for your feedback and encouragement. Yes, our writing project http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/blogs/a-dialog-on-blogging-focus-part-2/ has surely helped. Certainly, it was the trigger for many of the points above.
Like you, I find it much easier to help others with their issues than solve my own – especially when it comes to focus.
Best to you, Robin
December 30, 2009 at 12:19 am |
Robin
Thanks for sharing – I couldn’t help but be reminded of my tweet earlier tonight:
http://twitter.com/hollingsworth/status/7156570689
Chris Witt makes the case for:
“Great success comes out of lots of small failures.”
“We need to embrace experimentation and welcome failures to isolate why things failed. It’s the only way to find out what works.”
And more: I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Chris and he makes a lot of sense.
I’m confident with great people around us like Helen and Andrew in your comments, that we will celebrate our small failures, learn and grow. Bring on 2010!
Cheers
Tony Hollingsworth
December 30, 2009 at 3:06 pm |
Thanks Tony, your contribution makes a great addition to this conversation.
The great thing about the collaborative on-line environment is that it IS safe to share problems and failures – safe in the knowledge that there are strong people around who are ready to jump in quickly and offer their help. Good people like all of those who have commented here. How good is that?
I appreciate your friendship and encouragement,
Robin
December 30, 2009 at 7:10 am |
Hello Robin – this is quite a list, but then you are quite a man…especially to write honestly about what didn’t work for you this year and then share it with everyone.
I think everyone sees themselves in a bunch of these because a lot of them are new (not new in the industry per say, but new to them). We are all still figuring out most of these – even SEO – because it continues to change quickly.
You are at the beginning of an amazing and awesome journey – these points are the the baseline for where you are. I can’t wait to see what you create.
I’m grateful to have met you and now getting to know you. This post helps. Now I know where you are. Nowhere to go but forward…ever forward.
Cheers & Happy New Year,
kristin rohan
SassySEO.com
December 30, 2009 at 3:10 pm |
Thanks, Kristin.
Yes, the ever-changing on-line landscape means many of us are forever in a state of newness. Often, I’ve felt that as soon as I get up to speed on something, it goes and changes and I have to start again. Just as I learn XP, Vista comes, then W7 – or OSX > Tiger > Leopard etc (I’ve probably got that wrong
)
So we plod on and do the best we can. Mind you, the job is much easier and much more fun with friends such as you.
Best to you,
Robin
December 30, 2009 at 8:09 am |
Good post Robin, and a big tick on what you have done RIGHT i.e. write with openness and transparency, a key hallmark of blogging (and the social web generally).
I think your post highlights what is a very common thing among those who have dived into the world of social media, and that is EVERYONE (including the ‘experts’) make mistakes. This is such new territory and it’s changing all the time, how can we possibly expect to get it right all the time?
It’s blog posts like these that allow us to learn from each other that makes the social web so special.
I look forward to tracking your progress in 2010!
- Trevor
December 30, 2009 at 3:14 pm |
Thanks, Trevor.
You share wise insights to be sure. I have been caught by surprise at how a post like this can trigger such sharing of experiences and offers of support. It is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And that’s what drives me on to keep at it – to keep experimenting, to keep taking risks and making mistakes.
I very much appreciate your contribution to this post.
Best, Robin
December 30, 2009 at 1:20 pm |
Worst failures? that takes some care and attention even to analyse and your blog makes it easier to do that. one that rings a big bell is ‘failure to niche’, for me in health care and social media. Why? It is possible I resemble a rabbit in headlights on occasion with the ‘surely this has already been said/done/written so much better’ a refrain.
Another challenge for 2010 ‘I must get out more’ – Helen’s comment about ‘self-promotion for introverts’ struck a chord.
but…. it’s also a lot of fun – and that’s a theme for me in 2010. Fun online. with something to say.
December 30, 2009 at 3:17 pm |
Thanks, Heidi – fellow ‘rabbit in headlights’
Helen’s a wise soul for sure. I agree and will be doing the same in 2010. I love the sound of ‘fun on-line, with something to say’.
I look forward to our developing connection.
Best to you, Robin
December 30, 2009 at 1:38 pm |
Failing at Failing…but succeeding at trying, triumphant in sharing and resolute in determination.
I feel inspired to keep on ‘keeping on’ despite the walls feeling like they are crumbling around me.
Thank you for sharing
Mike
December 30, 2009 at 3:20 pm |
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for your inspiring comment. There’s a great lyrical quality to you words…
Failing at failing;
But succeeding at trying;
And resolute in determination!
What a mantra for 2010. Well done. I’m excited that we have connected.
Best to you, Robin
December 30, 2009 at 2:35 pm |
Robin –
I like this list too. It’s disarmingly honest — and that’s good because I find myself wanting more. I genuinely want to know what you will do next? What the scientist in you will do next? And have you failed really? Or are you simply building a base?
Look forward to your next post on what are the action items around each of your various failures…
Whitney
December 30, 2009 at 3:42 pm |
Thanks, Whitney.
I really appreciate your feedback and encouragement. It’s funny because as I was writing the post, two things occurred to me apropos ‘the scientist’:
a) I have been tracking these failures for quite a while now – watching as the hair line cracks spread and widen into ‘fault’ lines (excuse the pun). So these failures haven’t suddenly appeared, but have been building up as I wrestle with attempts to manifest successful outcomes;
b) for each of these failures, I instantly know what I need to do next. Without getting too abstract, it’s as if the process of writing and naming them – of getting them out into the light – in this case, the limelight – has disempowered them in some way. Or at least objectified them to a point where I can disassociate from them and apply maximum creative energy to solving them.
Have I failed really? My knee-jerk reaction if to say ‘Yes’ in the context of the objectives that were set. That said, I would like to further deconstruct the notion of failure.
What will I do next? Take the data, reapply it to the hypothesis – test the assumptions and then set new objectives. Which is code for ‘keep pushing the trolley forward’.
Whitney, I will report the next installment with great enthusiasm thanks to your interest.
Best to you, Robin
December 30, 2009 at 3:19 pm |
Hello Robin,
I call your actions “Failing Up”. Many of what you consider failures seem, from an outside view, to be learning experiences. How would one know whether the ROI is going to be greater with Linked-in, posterous, twitter, radsmarts, all of the above or none of the above, without trying each one?
I have had some of the same experiences as you, such as not having made any money DIRECTLY as a result of being online, and yet as the year evolved I realized that if I was open to the turns in the roads, I was being led down the ones I needed to take. One example is that, while I initially thought I would be finding my niche market online, what I actually found was the complete validation of what that market is, and has been, and how to refine my presentations to it. Then I found incredible resources for that through my online contacts.
And that, Robin, brings me to your incredible support for the many people drawn by your strength, energy, and inspiration. This blogpost is a shining example of leading by doing. It’s thought-provoking and fun (what a great combination). It makes real the concept of high-tech, high-touch. And I have no doubt the relationships and base (TQ Whitney)you’re building with it and with your tweets will soon lead to fiscal rewards as you continue to build and doors continue to open.
Now, I’ve got to go draw up my list of failures, using your great template!
Many thanks,
Kristina
December 30, 2009 at 3:50 pm |
Robin Dickinson
December 30, 2009 at 3:49 pm (Edit) | Reply
Thanks, Kristina.
‘Failing up’ is a brilliant way of putting it. I must say, thanks to the wonderful responses from your kind self and the other leaders above, failure has never felt so good. It’s quite mind-blowing.
I agree – try, try and try again. Keep moving. Keep doing things differently. Be open to the turns in the road. Persevere. And never, ever personalize the mistakes and failures.
I’m very moved by your comment. It’s thrilling to be art of this global, online support network to which you contribute so much.
Thank you,
Robin
December 30, 2009 at 11:58 pm |
Hi Robin,
Well it is great hearing from you what you have assessed as failures to highlight the areas you have been trying to teach me about over the last few months. Sharp focus, niche market, are all areas I have failed at this year so I look forward to working on those areas in 2010 with your help and guidance. Thanks for a fantastic 2009 and I too look forward to our future working together.
Tony
January 3, 2010 at 3:16 pm |
Tony, I love your comment. It’s always harder to work on your own “stuff”. That’s why participating in such a generous community is so powerful – you get to help each other get focused and get ahead.
You’re going really well with your on-line work, and have been a joy to work with.
Thanks, mate.
Robin
December 31, 2009 at 8:44 am |
Great analysis Robin, although I’d take you to task though on what you consider failure.
The real challenge for anybody seeking to make a living on the net is to be heard through the noise. While SEO and using various social media tools are important, the real aim is to find your niche and be an authentic voice.
You’re working well at doing that, but as you’ve found this takes longer than six months.
I wouldn’t stress about how you’re going on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook and I certainly wouldn’t worry about SEO, much of which is snake oil anyway. Just steadily work at building trust and respect in your chosen field.
Look forward to seeing you in 2010, it’s going to be a fantastic ride.
January 3, 2010 at 3:13 pm |
That’s a marvelous thought, Paul :’the real aim is to find your niche and be an authentic voice’. It has inspired me to write Point 1 in this post: http://www.radsmarts.com/2010/01/how-to-instantly-upgrade-yourself-to-a-best-ever-you/.
Thanks for your feedback and encouragement. I didn’t know you were a distance swimmer until I read it in your tweets – hence a man who respects steady, consistent and focused effort.
I look forward to seeing you in 2010.
Best, Robin
December 31, 2009 at 12:09 pm |
Hi Robin, great article!
Reading it I can identify more clearly my own failures on-line.
I’m not very concerned about getting traffic,learning SEO, earning money or being popular on Social Media sites. I prefer to focus on creating the best content I can and to be consistent with the blog post frequency. As you said, sustainability matters (a lot), above all for coming bloggers. I like your content, it’s original and fresh, and that is the key to stand out from the crowd.
I wish you a prosperous and a happy new year buddy.
Sincerely,
your friend
January 3, 2010 at 3:23 pm |
David, you’re a man of great honest and integrity. There’s a pioneering freshness to your approach – a boldness that is contagious. Thank-you for your friendship, feedback, encouragement and contribution.
Your advice about content is something I will be paying great attention to from now on.
Best to you for 2010 and beyond,
Robin
January 1, 2010 at 2:16 am |
Excellent post. Like yourself I have started an online business this year, everything you have “failed at” I have as well. But on the other hand we are going strong building those relationships be it with potential clients or google’s ranking. For myself I have found out what video products I need to start offering next year.
I’ll take a wild swing at something you may want to offer. Larry Jordan (a Final Cut Pro expert) has a monthly newsletter where he complies neat tricks, questions and news about FCP. He is selling his training and books, if you did something similar with a single sponsor (aka – admail) that might bring in the $.
Also I really like lists. I tend to read blog articles that say something like: 5 ways to improve your design or 10 ways to prepare for taxes. Since I read this stuff at work I can quickly pop in, learn something, and jump back out.
Random thoughts. Best of luck in the new year, keep up the great work!
AdamV
January 3, 2010 at 3:27 pm |
Thanks, Adam.
That’s good, practical advice and it’s much appreciated.
Congratulations on your successes and failures in 2009. There’s a wonderful spirit in your comment that obviously fuels all you do.
Shine on, Robin
January 3, 2010 at 2:40 pm |
There’s an awesome list of innovators/thinkers/online pioneers/leaders/writers commenting above, as well as 200+ other readers. That in itself speaks volumes. If I were the CEO of a large online company, they would be my *dream team*.
Frances
January 3, 2010 at 3:29 pm |
Thanks, Frances. I never looked at it that way, but you’re right. I’m humbled by the depth, breadth and standard of the comments and people who have responded. A “dream team” indeed.
Thanks for being part of this dream team.
Best, Robin
March 10, 2010 at 2:34 pm |
Robin,
This is exactly my year as well. I am still struggling with the focus and niche. I know so much about so many things and am passionate about sharing what I know and helping others, that my target audience is still eluding me. As for SEO, like you, the rest is so all-consuming that SEO isn’t even making the radar.
Personally, I like your business advice and your “Black Chair” videos are spot on. Thanks for doing them.
BTW, I agree with Kristina above about “Failing Up”. Author and speaker John Maxwell (very inspiring guy) wrote a book recently with a similar title: “Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success”.
Keep up the great work. I think you are finding your niche.
Warmest Regards,
Kelly
March 11, 2010 at 4:47 pm |
Thanks, Kelly. I really appreciate your feedback and encouragement. It spurs me on! Black Chair is a lot of fun to do – something that’s been on my radar screen for a long time. It’s just so easy to produce and post video nowadays that I just couldn’t resist doing it.
I’m looking forward to building our connection and regularly comparing notes.
Best to you, Robin
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