Things I'm getting wrong, in public
Since ~2016, I've been sharing my 'failures' publicly. My reasoning is twofold: (a) it's the type of thing we need more of - being real and authentic instead of a constantly curating an image, and (b) mistakes are the offerings of growth, if we choose to reflect, learn and adjust. I first got this idea from the CEO of Buffer, and was inspired by their radical transparency as a company. Maybe this will inspire you, just as someone inspired me.
I got distracted from my main purpose(s).
I have a lot of great ideas and great projects but I (like many people) get distracted. One for example is, publishing a book. I was having coffee recently with a good friend who is a published author, speaker, and asked him: how do you balance so many divergent projects? His answer was a great reminder: one project at a time, finish it, then move on to the next one. Every morning he said he does "drills", like you might at the gym. I love the idea of that, being a disciple of that commitment.
I let the channel go dark for four years.
When I went to study at Harvard, I was told posting on my YouTube channel would violate my student visa - and I'd already had issues obtaining it because of my prior humanitarian work in Sudan. So I acquiesed. But I think I could have posted a few small updates - 74,000 people once chose to listen, and I went quiet right when I had the most to say. That said, I'm glad I gave myself the space and time to really focus on my studies.
I stopped sharing my writing.
I've been a writer from the beginning and it's what I've always loved. As I rebuilt this website in July 2026, it gave me a chance to go back to some of my old blogs and articles. And I did miss sharing my writing, ideas and thoughts more. So I'm looking forward to sharing them regularly again.
I undercharged, then resented it.
I confused being accessible with being cheap, said yes too often, and classic story: burned out. Pricing honestly (whilst still including a real hardship rate) turned out to be kinder to everyone.
I tried to grow every channel at once.
YouTube, Instagram, the course, the coaching, the writing, all at full tilt. Spread thin is just another word for absent. I'm picking the few that matter and letting the rest wait.
A question to ponder: "What assumption did this mistake expose?"
