Now that the year has really begun (tree out to be mulched, stockings emptied, schedules settling back in), I have begun making plans - not resolutions - for 2024. The world is chaos and some plans will be adjusted as the year progresses. See if any of these inspire you and your team too.
Don’t say yes unless it’s really a yes. Inspired by a friend (hers was a “full body yes”), I will take a minute to think before saying yes. To a new project. To another volunteer role. To which panel to join. I want to be more intentional with my time and save space for what will either teach me something new or help fulfill one of the goals below.
Invest in my future. Already launched an LLC last year to diversify my income streams, but I will get over my fears about investing and work with someone. I’ll invest in time to read, rest, exercise and travel to balance my workload.
Speaking of travel, I’ll work remotely outside of my home more. I have developed excellent work habits - morning planning, sprints, breaks, etc. - and want to take them on the road! The joy of flexible work locations is getting out there, even to a cafe down the block, to encourage new ideas.
Collaborate on DAM topics. Still in the thinking-this-through stage of planning. I’ve been reading some thoughtful, fun and exciting work from our community and believe we could combine Voltron-style to produce something bigger - a book, podcast, webinar series - maybe involving the broader MarTech, creative, media and content worlds.
Learn more from newcomers. The students in college now; the transfer colleagues from fields like IT, stock, academia and AI; the returning DAM pros - each group brings new perspective and ideas. More coffee chats ahead.
And most of all, take time to reflect. We’re all busy and it’s easy to gloss over accomplishments as well as dismiss failures. This year I plan to give myself space to enjoy the wins and try to understand the losses before moving quickly onto the next project.
In the spirit of collaboration, any plans for 2024 to share?