“Simple lessons. Big impact.
From our members, for our members.”
For this month's issue of Paperclips, we're continuing our Words of Wisdom feature, where members share the best advice, they've received in their careers. The response has been fantastic, and the chain of insights keeps growing!
This month, we received three great ideas to add to your resolutions for the new year. Take a moment to read what our members have to say—you might find a tip or perspective that resonates with you.
From Jolene Goodman: Create a plan - This advice has been instrumental in any success Jolene has had in both work and personal.
One of the best pieces of advice I've received is to create a plan. Having a plan turns vague goals into clear steps. It's easy to say we want to save money, get in shape, or start a new project—but without a plan, those ideas often stay just that: ideas. A plan gives direction, structure, and motivation. It helps us see where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there.
Creating a plan doesn't mean everything will go perfectly. Life has a way of changing our timelines and priorities. But even when things shift, a plan gives us a starting point to adjust from. It keeps us accountable and makes progress measurable. Most importantly, planning helps reduce stress because we can focus on one step at a time instead of feeling overwhelmed by the big picture. In short, when we create a plan, we give ourselves the best chance to succeed.
From Cory Regnier: "Don't fake it until you make it, fake it until you become it."
I first heard this phrase in a TED Talk by social psychologist Amy Cuddy. The idea of faking it until you make it implies putting on a show of confidence to get by rather than building true competence. In contrast, faking it until you become it resonates with me because it emphasizes practicing the behaviors you want to internalize. It's not about pretending for others; it's about intentionally embodying the qualities of the person you aspire to be. I also like the idea that becoming who you want to be is an ongoing process, whereas faking it until you make it feels finite, like there's an end point.
From John Draper: "Say what you are going to do then do it."
While I have learned many lessons over the years, I like this because it covers pretty much anything.
It was pushed by my old business partner who was the ad director/partner here when I started. He used it in the context of customer service and gaining trust with advertisers. However, it also applies to dealing with employees, vendors, pretty much anybody. If builds a sense of personal accountability which I like. Then, when done diligently builds trust. Makes customers believe that you will take care of business and that my word means something. Have I failed? Certainly. But keeping the focus on that throughout the company, I think has strengthened our reputation.