By now you’ve probably got your goals underway – I hope so anyway. Some people don’t have completely fixed goals, and that’s fine, but most of us need to measure our success in some way or another or else we won’t move forward in our web career. Instead of just looking at what you earn, which can only take you so far (as long as you’re earning enough to live comfortably), why not evaluate your success in terms of the 10 points listed below?
1) What Do You Know Now That You Didn’t Know Before? This is one way that I really feel I succeeded in 2009, and I’ll continue to learn throughout 2010. Of course, learning is nothing without also taking action!
2) How Many Things Have You Tried That You Were Scared of? I was pretty nervous about website flipping, but I am so pleased with the success I had in that area! I’m also trying new projects this year – such as my PLR site – that will take me out of my comfort zone but that I’ll feel great for!
3) How Many Mistakes Did You Make? I do believe mistakes are part of our success. I have made mistakes, I’ve let people take advantage of my good nature when providing services etc., but I’ve learned a lot about myself and business along the way. I wouldn’t have learned these lessons if I didn’t make mistakes.
4) How Many Milestones Did You Pass? In 2009, my first milestone was probably getting that first $100 from Google, since then I went on to get my first commissions from MarketHealth, Commission Junction, Clickbank, Pay Dot Com and so on. These are only one type of milestones, and you’ll probably have many more – which can even include writing your first piece of online content! I have a feeling I’ll be passing many more milestones in 2010!
5) How Many Goals Did You Develop? I believe goals are extremely important, because constantly developing new goals shows that you are moving forward as a person. But we don’t all write down our goals – it doesn’t matter, as long as you feel you developed as a person.
6) How Many Goals Did You Have to Change? One thing I’ve come to realise in internet marketing is that goals change as you progress. If my goals change within a few months in 2010, I’ll know that I’m successful as I’m constantly improving my business plan.
7) How Proud Do You Feel? What a simple point, but I think it’s really important. I was proud of myself in 2009 despite not being rich! I want that to continue in 2010.
8 ) How Much Closer Are You Towards Your Life Goals? On Monday I wrote about personal goals and making sure your business goals help to push them forward. Sometimes we have to work hard at the expense of some areas of our personal life, but ultimately work and personal life should be in harmony. If you got to spend more time with your kids, were able to read a few more books, or go on holiday then that sounds like success to me!
9) How Many People Did You Help or Inspire? This one is really important to me. When you’re just starting out you might not think you inspire everyone, but as long as you connect with people and have a story to tell, you’ll be showing people just what’s possible. That defines success for me!
10) Did You/ Will You Go Full Time Online? I know that this is a big thing for many. I actually went full time online in 2008, but I would love to earn the equivalent of a full time passive income in 2010. For those of you who went full time in 2009, or are going full time online in 2010, congratulations!
This is what I came up with after a quick brainstorm, but I’d love to hear the other ways in which you define your success – and you may not agree with all of my points, either. The point is that sometimes it’s nice to look at another factors rather than money, especially if you’re not quite making as much money as you were expecting at this point.
~ Web Career Girl
Forest (4)
Kidgas (4)
Loren Jaslyn (4)
Des @ Affiliate P... (3)
Eric (3)
January 7th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Great post. I’ll take a few of those milestones from point #4 this year thanks!
A measure of success I would add is – How much enjoyment are you getting out of your new career? Using the flexibility of a web career to work on things you enjoy is one of its most positive benefits I think.
Des´s last blog ..A Look Back Over my Shoulder
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 7th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Ah yes very good point to add Des. I don’t enjoy every single part, but all in all I would say I enjoy it
I hope you do reach some of those milestones this year!
Twitter: AgentDeepak
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January 7th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
What Do You Know Now That You Didn’t Know Before? is most important to me. I love reading and knowing stuffs. It helps be build my blog better.
Agent Deepak´s last blog ..I Will Simply Delete Them
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 8th, 2010 at 7:59 am
Hi Agent Deepak, I think it’s really important too. Here’s to a successful new year and learning lots of new skills
Twitter: websiteweekend
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January 7th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Ruth, best article I’ve read here!
I’m going print it out so I can refer to it. Makes a good basis for a blog post as well.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..No Blog Post Today. Busy. Don’t Feel Like Writing
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 8th, 2010 at 7:59 am
Thanks for the compliment Dave
Actually, one of my new year’s resolutions is to make better posts 
January 8th, 2010 at 12:21 am
Your first point is great. Specially that part about taking action. Taking action also defines success for me. All those people who actually did something to reach a goal or a milestone, are already successful
Isaac Ben´s last blog ..What do you look for in a job?
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 8th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Isaac – you are so right about taking action, I think that should be an added extra point of its own actually!
Twitter: lionslinger
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January 8th, 2010 at 6:14 am
These pointers are excellent provided we implement them into our lives. More often than not, we just settle in dreaming our success, afraid to make the first step. Sure it maybe hard at first, but if we take on the challenge we shall gain things that are meant for us. It’s just a matter of choice and courage.
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 8th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Walter you are so right. Much like Isaac said, we need to make sure we take action to achieve what we want. I do believe we are in control of our success. Thanks for the comment!
Twitter: frugalzeitgeist
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January 8th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Excellent list Ruth…. I have definitely let people take advantage of my good nature, maybe it’s a Britsh thing
… But I do feel very proud of myself and even proud of my mistakes.
Forest´s last blog ..Free Coffee Samples
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 8th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Forest – I think it probably is a British thing! I still do it but I have actually learned how to say ‘no’ and it feels good! And true, too about being proud of your mistakes. I made lots of mistakes but at least I learned a lot.
Twitter: Static
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January 8th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Self-motivation is really critical to your success and I think a lot of your points are good way to keep that motivation in you. By the way, regarding the first point, I just wanted to share with you a quote that has really struck me pretty hard in the last few months.
“The more you know, the more you realise how much you don’t know — the less you know, the more you think you know.” by David T. Freeman.
I’ve been thinking of what I know and what I don’t know and while this is a little “off-topic” or I should say “off-line,” being an engineering major, surprisingly, I actually miss the days when I didn’t know how things worked. In those days, I could just have a go and explore at my free will. Having the knowledge now, I feel like I’m not as motivated to push forward with, I guess, arrogance. Actually, now that I think about it, I think I was a little better off in my early days online too. I wasn’t a flamer, but I certainly made my points strong and pushed forward in projects that I believed would suceed. In fact, many did suceed and now that I think about it, what I didn’t know played a big role in the success.
I’m blabbing on with no point I think.
I should stop this comment here. 
Static | ahnternet´s last blog ..5 Tips to Quickly Writing A Quality Post Part I
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 8th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Static – I don’t think you were blabbing, it’s really interesting to hear your experience. I can kind of see what you mean, I think. Especially about just exploring and wondering where things will take you. Sometimes that lack of knowledge can make you want to do more. I know a LOT now but sometimes it does paralyse me a little to get things done.
It’s very nice to know how your earlier projects played a part in your success though. It’s great to be able to look back and see things clearly like that.
Twitter: arafat21
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January 8th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I’m going full time online this year and so and want to improve my earning stat. Want to see a consistent growth on my traffic and willing to make some good friends online.
Arafat Hossain Piyada´s last blog ..Ask Google Team to analyze your site free
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 11th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Arafat – Good luck in going full time this year! I also love making friends online, it really helps make the work much more enjoyable
Twitter: ShaneRQR
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January 8th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Some great questions on that list!
I agree that measuring progress is very important. Measuring and keeping track of progress is probably the most important thing I do in business and in my everyday life.
I tend to go for more “hard” numbers, though, so this list was an interesting new perspective for me.
Cheers,
Shane
Shane´s last blog ..Web2Mayhem Videos (Massive Video Post)
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 11th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Shane – Thanks for leaving your comment. We all make different kind of goals, whatever works for you is best but I’m glad I gave you something to think about
Twitter: bluepop13
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January 16th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
These are excellent!
I like how many mistakes you’ve made. I think looking at your mistakes helps you see where you can improve and move on from. This helps you see just how much more you can get done and do.
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 17th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Eric – You’re so right about the mistakes