From self-improvement to professional development to giving back, here’s what our team has resolved to make happen in 2021
Let’s talk about goals for next year. Whether they’re professional or personal goals, planning for the year ahead is the best way to get started on the right foot. And, according to Forbes, people who write down their goals are 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to achieve them. With that in mind—and staying true to our core value of accountability—we asked the team to share their New Year’s resolutions so we can all hold each other accountable throughout 2021. Here’s what we’re preparing to achieve, create and go after in the coming year.
Lifelong Learning
Our team is passionate about learning, and our fearless leader Ashley Logan is no exception. She’s always looking for ways to hone her skills and develop new ones. In 2021, she hopes to take a passion for photography to the next level. “I’d like to learn how to use Photoshop,” she says. Who knows, maybe our social channels next year will feature Ashley Logan originals!
For anyone looking for a free, accessible introduction to Photoshop, Yakkety Yak Content Strategist and graphic designer Gaby FeBland recommends checking out this tutorial on YouTube. It’s informative without being too overwhelming and conveniently broken into watchable chunks. Plus, the narrator has a soothing New Zealand accent. Or, for more of a deep dive, Skillshare offers tons of incredible photo-editing classes, and newcomers can get a free trial.
Account Manager Bryana Holcomb also has plans to pursue a professional passion. Along with reading and journaling more, she’s resolved to give a Ted Talk in 2021. On what? We’re still waiting on the edge of our seats to find out—but the team knows she has oodles of wisdom to share on everything from being creative in the workplace to career consultation.
Enjoying the Moment
2020 offered us a rare moment to be present like never before. Whether you see it as a “gift” or a setback, there’s no time like today to enjoy what you’re doing and treat yourself. And that’s exactly what Content Director Andi Summers plans to do. She encourages everyone to join her in making the most of every moment. Don’t save that amazing-smelling candle for another day or wait until a treat is too stale to eat. In tough times, focus on what makes you happy—whether that’s buying the shoes you’ve been eyeing or eating chocolate every day.
One way Andi plans to do this, and she encourages everyone to join her, is by saying “no” more. “If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s how important it is to prioritize yourself. If something doesn’t serve you, it’s totally OK to say no—politely, of course!”
Content Editor Abby Callard shares a similar sentiment. Her version of enjoying the moment is reclaiming her mornings in the spirit of self-care. “Since having my son a year and a half ago, I’ve relied on him to wake me up in the morning. Now that he’s older and sleeping later, I’d like to start setting my alarm for the same time every morning to make time for myself before he wakes up,” she says.
On average, remote employees have worked an extra 26 hours—nearly an extra day each week—each month during COVID. While this may be good for overall productivity, it can lead to burnout. So carve out time for yourself, say no when it makes sense to and don’t hold back on doing the things you love.
Rising to the Challenge
Setbacks are a part of life. When the pandemic put marathons on pause, Associate Content Strategist Maribel Leddy had to give up her pursuit of completing one in 2020. Then, she took a break from running altogether while recovering from a foot injury. “In the new year, I want to get back on track—pun intended—and finally run a half marathon,” she says. It’s a challenge she’s been hoping to take on since 2019, and she’s hoping 2021 will be the year she finally gets to rise to it.
UX/UI Designer Cesar Molina has a similar goal. “I want to continue, if not step up, my visits to and intensity at the gym.” Why? So that he can enjoy more food while traveling to his 2021/2022 bucket list of Israel, Jordan, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Regular exercise increases alertness and energy by boosting blood flow to the brain and can lead to better focus, productivity and overall mental health. Living in the midst of a pandemic promises to increase stress levels, so anything you do to balance that out will make a difference. Maribel may have been (mostly) joking when she added a bicycle desk to her Secret Santa wish list, but she does swear by the benefits of starting your day with an adrenaline-pumping wake-up call.
Pushing Creative Boundaries
Our team loves telling a good story—in fact, it’s what we do here at Yakkety Yak. So it’s no surprise that some members of our team are looking to tell more stories in the new year. (Pro tip: if you’re looking for experts to shape your brand’s story in 2021, we may have some ideas.)
Video Producer Sean Froelich’s New Year’s resolution is to create an original short film. “I’ve been wanting to flex my storytelling abilities again after spending years realizing visions of both clients and coworkers,” he explains. “I think 2021 is the year where I can be a client to myself and realize one of my own stories.” We couldn’t be more excited to watch his next work of art.
Heather Hobbs agrees. As a content editor, she spends a lot of time editing and reading others’ work. Her plan to push creativity in the new year is to keep up a daily fiction-writing routine and publish more short stories. “During National Novel Writing Month, I made a lot of progress on the second draft of my novel by writing every day and staying connected with my writing workshop group to maintain motivation,” she shares. By keeping up the pace, she hopes to write some new stories and publish more work—like her recent piece published by The Midnight Oil.
Photo credit: Cara
Giving Back
One of the most important goals for every member of our team is to do good and give back in the new year. We’d all like to continue raising the bar when it comes to doing business for a cause and being purpose-driven people. As we all live and grieve through 2020, we’re keeping in mind that everyone is doing their best—and if you can, we encourage you to give back. Donate to a great cause, or find a non-monetary way to give back, such as donating blood, volunteering at a soup kitchen or giving some of your unused office clothes from this past year to someone on their job search right now. Some of the nonprofit organizations the Yak Pak is passionate about supporting in 2021 include Cara, Planned Parenthood, South Suburban Pads, Sleep Out: Chicago and the Chicago Community Bond Fund.
What are your New Year’s resolutions? If one is to get your marketing strategy back in action, Yakkety Yak has the expertise you need to make it happen. Don’t wait for 2022—resolve to launch your marketing strategy today.
