How Do I Measure My Progress?

Hello.

in the last few weeks, I’ve been considering what I’m an “Expert” at. I have built multiple websites.  I have studied search engine optimization and content creation. I’ve written articles and created products.

I’ve even set up auto-responders and follow-up emails.

Doing Something Doesn’t Mean It Was Done Well

Although I’ve had a “presence” online since late 2009, that doesn’t mean that I’ve done it “well.”  It doesn’t mean that I’ve mastered the knowledge.

How Do You Know?

I can tell that I haven’t mastered some skills based on the results that I’ve produced.

For example, one of my websites had over a dozen pages and was constantly receiving more and more traffic year after year.  That’s excellent!

However, that website did not sell a single item. I did not use the website to generate money. So, even though I was able to receive thousands of visitors through organic traffic methods, the website had no value to me.

Why?

It’s like standing in a crowded room needing a pen and not asking a single person for a pen.

My website was there.  It was providing content and useful information for people.

In addition, over time, it proved to be a well liked website because it ranked #1 for specific keywords in both Bing and Yahoo.  I think I got within the top 20 for a short while on the search engine that shall go unnamed.

But, it didn’t fulfill the p0urpose of its design.

What is The Desired Outcome

Any time you want to measure your progress, you have to have a starting point and a desired outcome.

For example, a new internet marketer’s desired outcome may be to receive at least $1 in income from their online activities.

Okay, with that desired outcome, there are going to things that go into that process like product launches, ads, social websites, and much more.

Define Milestones

Before you can start measuring your progress, you will need to define your desired outcome.  Then, the process is as easy as defining steps or milestones between where you are now (which takes a whole new level of self-honesty) and where you want to be.

Milestones can be as simple as writing an article a week or as complex as getting 10,000 subscribers on your email list.

It all depends on where you want to go and how fast you want to get there.  For me, my milestones are smaller increments so that I can accomplish a little each day without spending more than 45 minutes doing something. Plus, by having smaller increments, I feel progress more often and can stay focused on each step without getting caught up in the details of trying to do too much.

11 Comments

  • Kevin

    Reply Reply July 29, 2014

    Hi Rachel

    I read your article with interest – I totally agree that I consider myself still to be a newbie as I have been dabbling for ages without any success or making any sales. I would be delighted to make my first $1 or in my case, my first £1.

    Your thoughts on defining milestones in something I am going to try and do myself!

    Thanks
    Kevin

    • rachelbock

      Reply Reply July 30, 2014

      Thank you for your feedback!

      What I learned some time ago is that the $1 (or first pound in your case) is symbolic. I don’t know how many people understand that it means that the system is in place.

      Once the system is set up, and the first sale “arrives,” it represents that more sales can follow.

      That is a very large milestone in any business! I’d love to hear when you have that success!

  • Brian Oliver

    Reply Reply July 29, 2014

    Hi Rachel,
    Yes, I believe it is important to set achievable goals so we do not get swamped with too many tasks to do.
    ‘You cannot eat an elephant all in one go’
    Keep up the blogging, I felt compelled to leave a comment, so that is, I believe a simple measure of your success.

    Brian

    • rachelbock

      Reply Reply July 30, 2014

      Thank you, Brian! You bring up a good point.

      The next measure of success would be that others notice the progress too.

      🙂

  • Kim

    Reply Reply July 31, 2014

    Hi Rachel

    There are always going to be things we still don’t know about.

    I’ve been doing this since 2002 and there is still a ton of stuff I don’t have a clue about.

    You’ll get there in the end, it just takes perseverance!

    Kim

    • rachelbock

      Reply Reply August 1, 2014

      I absolutely love your comment!

      Thank you for reminding us that even after years of experience, there will still be more “progress” to be made!

      Thank you, Kim!

  • Karl Dieterich

    Reply Reply August 3, 2014

    Hi Rachel,

    I think you’re right on with defining key milestones along the path to the outcome you desire. Some outcomes are very clear, such as installing a particular plugin on your website. But the more complex ones, such as creating an information product, can be tricky if the scope of the product is not clearly defined. That’s where I got into trouble. I kept moving the boundaries of my project until it became an undefined mess.

    Clearly defining what will be included and what will not can help establish those milestones. That’s what I’m working on now.

    Thanks for your article.

    -Karl

    • rachelbock

      Reply Reply August 7, 2014

      Thank you, Karl! I appreciate your input on that.

      Someone once taught me that “No” is the most powerful word in our language. We learn more when something doesn’t work than when it does.

      Sounds like you are on the right track.

      You’re very welcome! Thank you for reading it and replying. 🙂

  • Mats Rehn

    Reply Reply August 8, 2014

    Hello Rachel.

    It’s good that you are strong and focused even when the progress is temporary not exactly where you want/expect it to be.
    Your patience will take you to your goals, in one way or another. Mats

    • rachelbock

      Reply Reply August 15, 2014

      Thank you, Mats! It’s easy to move forward when one has a goal in mind. 🙂

      Have a great day!

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