The question for session 5:
What was your greatest failure? What happened and what have your learned from it?
Here are the headlines:
- Jonathan Bradley | Jonathan seeks to build a consulting business with a software element after achieving previous career goals.
- Declan Armour | Declan faces challenges in maintaining consistency with his long-standing goal of getting fit and healthy.
- Andrew Rimmington | Andrew’s goal of reaching a specific level of turnover and profitability is hindered by external factors and industry dynamics.
- Bryan Chung | Bryan aspires to play at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, viewing it as a validation of his passion and success in the jazz community.
Jonathan Bradley shared his thoughts on a goal he had set but hadn’t reached. He began by explaining that he had set various goals throughout his life, but he had become more accepting of what life presented to him. He mentioned that in the past, he had a strong desire to run a company and become a Managing Director (MD), which he successfully achieved and maintained for 11 years. However, after achieving those goals, his ambitions had shifted.
Jonathan’s current goal was to build a consulting business with a software element to it. He explained that this goal resonated with him on a deep level because he had always been involved in problem-solving through technology, whether it was setting up IT systems or helping others with their tech-related challenges. He had recently made significant strides toward this goal by setting up a business powered by AI.
When asked what was stopping him from achieving his goal, Jonathan mentioned potential challenges such as distractions, the allure of other opportunities, and the risk of getting bored. He emphasised the importance of persistence and not being easily swayed by shiny objects or immediate gratification. He acknowledged that his ability to adapt and pivot was both a strength and a weakness, making it difficult for him to commit strongly to any one thing.
Overall, Jonathan’s response highlighted his journey of self-discovery and his pursuit of a goal that aligned with his values and passions. He recognised the need for persistence and focus in the face of potential obstacles and distractions.
Declan Armour, when asked about his unachieved goal, expressed his long-standing struggle to get fit and healthy. He mentioned that he had been trying to achieve this goal for a considerable amount of time but had faced challenges in maintaining consistency.
Declan talked about using a diary, specifically the “six-minute diary,” which he found useful. He explained that the diary included exercises based on science and psychology, such as listing things to be grateful for and setting daily intentions, including eating healthy and exercising. However, despite his efforts, he admitted that he never seemed to follow through with his intentions.
He shared his frustration with not understanding what was stopping him from achieving his goal, despite knowing the science and behavioural strategies to do so. Declan mentioned that he had tried various approaches, including signing up for fitness programs and working with personal trainers, but he still struggled with consistency.
Declan also noted that he tended to be an “all or nothing” type of person and found it challenging to maintain a middle ground. He acknowledged that fitness should be a top priority, given its importance, but for some reason, it wasn’t.
In the discussion, his friends offered suggestions, such as bringing a guitar to the gym or creating rewards for himself. However, Declan couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for his inconsistency, and he recognised the need to address it.
The conversation highlighted the complexity of personal goals and the challenges individuals face in maintaining consistency in pursuing them, even when they possess the knowledge and intention to do so.
Andrew Rimmington had reflected on one of his goals, which was to attain a specific level of turnover and profitability. He admitted that he hadn’t reached this goal yet and mentioned several factors hindering his progress. One major factor was the impact of COVID-19 on his business, which disrupted the market and posed challenges. Additionally, he noted that recruitment efforts had been challenging.
Andrew mentioned that they had nearly reached their goal the previous year, running from March to April, but there was still some way to go. He acknowledged the influence of inflation on their targets, suggesting that an adjustment of 10 to 20% might be necessary due to economic factors.
Discussing the factors within his control, Andrew considered increasing their workforce to meet overheads and winning more projects. However, he pointed out a lack of investment in construction apprenticeships and the challenge of recruitment.
Regarding clients, Andrew noted that different clients had varying preferences and needs, and the industry had seen shifts in project approaches over the years. He mentioned a cyclical pattern where clients changed their expectations, sometimes favouring upfront engineering work and at other times opting for different approaches.
When asked about competition, Andrew emphasised the importance of providing value and good service rather than simply being the cheapest option. He highlighted the trade-offs between cost, speed, and quality in the industry.
In conclusion, Andrew Rimmington shared insights into his business goals, the challenges he faced, and the dynamic nature of the construction industry, where adapting to changing client preferences and market trends was crucial.
Bryan Chung, when asked about his unachieved goal, shared that his goal was more of a personal one, which involved playing at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club. He emphasised that this goal wasn’t driven by financial motivations but rather by a sense of hierarchy and the validation of success.
He expressed the belief that success is defined by those individuals whom you look up to looking up to you in return. Bryan considered playing at Ronnie Scott’s as a validation of his passion for jazz in the eyes of the jazz audience.
When asked about what was stopping him from reaching this goal, Bryan identified two main factors. Firstly, he mentioned logistics due to the geographical distance between Leeds, where he was based, and Ronnie Scott’s in London. Secondly, he acknowledged the need for originality and experience, indicating that playing at Ronnie Scott’s required a strong musical background and reputation.
Bryan mentioned that he was still in the process of researching and had been seeking advice from various sources, including tutors and experienced musicians. He noted that playing at jam sessions and making connections might be a good starting point. He also recognised that achieving this goal could take a considerable amount of time, possibly around 10 years, and that it required a combination of quality, consistency, and originality.
The conversation touched on the role of gatekeepers in the industry, the value of reputation, and the importance of finding one’s unique selling point (USP) as a musician. Bryan expressed his determination to continue researching and planning his path towards playing at Ronnie Scott’s, recognizing that it was a long-term goal that required careful consideration and strategy.