No one likes to be told that they’re unoriginal and just like everyone else. You especially don’t like to think it about yourself. We all imagine we’re unique in our own special way.

But after a presentation from Julien Smith (co-writer of Trust Agents) at this week’s Third Tuesday Toronto (#TTT), one of the great bits of insight he passed on was exactly that. He asked us all if what we’re doing is enough to set us apart from everyone else? Are we creating content and adding opinions that are unique?

For me it was like a smack in the face. I started taking mental note of the things I was doing. Was my blog standing out? Are my efforts and opinions different from what so many other people in a crowded field of social media enthusiasts are already saying?

For me the answer was maybe not. I think I’ve added some value and passed on some good ideas, but there’s lots of room to grow.

I blog here because I honestly enjoy it. I live and breathe this stuff all day long and get excited with new tips and techniques, and want to share them. At the same time, I don’t want to be rehashing ideas that someone else has already said.

So my goal for 2010 is to open up the boundaries and put out more content that I think people will find value in. I won’t reinvent myself or start saying things I don’t believe in but I will try harder to ask poignant questions, engage my readers (both of you) and force them to consider angles they might not already have.

How about you? What are your goals for 2010? If they involve distinguishing yourself from the pack – what’s your strategy?