Get the start-of-year feeling all year around for your personal brand (3 Tips)

Don’t wait for January 1 to start fresh with your personal brand goals. The chance to reset, reimagine and recreate can be achieved year-round.

You likely use landmarks to navigate through space. But, you can also use landmarks to navigate through time. The good news for your goals is, it doesn’t have to be January 1 for you to tackle them. Landmarks in time, that help reset your goals, can be found throughout your whole year.

I drafted this blog from Santorini, Greece. Much like the first time I was there, it was a surreal experience. Only this time, it was exactly ten years since I last visited. Returning to the same destination a decade on, halfway across the world, naturally brought self-reflection.

Ten years ago, a trip to Europe helped change the direction of my life. It opened my eyes to new possibilities, new experiences and new people.

The timing of this trip has marked several significant milestones. Some bitter, some sweet. Before I left for Europe this time,  I celebrated the death anniversaries of my grandma and dad with my family. It has become a special tradition to remember our dearly departed with the same appreciation as we do their birthdays.

While in Europe, I also celebrated my partner and my anniversary. Why does it all matter? Because they are personal landmarks. For a few years now, I’ve kept a list on my phone titled ‘On this Day’. It contains every significant date I can think of and is always growing. So, I never miss a chance to reflect. It was something I started doing as a gratitude practice. I now understand its potential in a new way.

The start of each year doesn’t need to be the only time you revitalise your personal brand goals. Don’t let the years slip by. Fresh starts can be found everywhere.

Temporal Landmarks’ for your personal brand

In Daniel Pink’s book, When, he describes how social scientists call the first day of the year a ‘temporal landmark’. Like humans who navigate landmarks through space, landmarks can also help navigate time. Prominent dates help you navigate your way.

A study of Google searches revealed the word “diet” always soared on 1 January. This was by approximately 80 percent more than other days. But, it didn’t stop there. Searches also spiked at the start of the month, the first day of the week and the day after national holidays. “Firsts” are a switch that powers people’s motivation.

Tip #1: It’s always ‘Day 1’ for your personal brand

In Bezos Blueprint, Carmine Gallo highlights Jeff Bezos’ saying:

“It’s always Day 1.”

The tech tycoon first referred to ‘Day 1’ in his first shareholder letter in 1997. The phrase appeared repeatedly in the annual letters for decades while Bezos was at the helm. In 2016, Bezos began closing every letter with “It’s still Day 1”. Updating the phrase to “It remains Day 1” from 2016-2020. Bezos even named the Seattle building where he worked “Day 1 North”.

The metaphor spread beyond Amazon and is now a management philosophy taught in Business School. A ‘Day 1 company’ is not a physical thing, it’s a mindset.

Every day after my grandma or dad’s anniversaries or birthdays, I feel a new lease on life. What might be a sad time for many, becomes my motivation. On that first day after these temporal landmarks, it feels like Day 1—a chance to make the most of the time I still have in the land of the living.

Tip #2: The ‘12-Week Year’ of personal brand

Ever noticed how you get productivity superpowers right before going on vacation? You do whatever it takes to tick every box, organise every file and clear every email.  All for an arbitrary deadline you’ve created. And that fresh feeling when you return on your first day back. In their book, The 12 Week Year, Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington teach you to harness that power all year.

The '12 Week Year’ is a mindset shift away from annual goals. It helps you achieve more in 12 weeks than most do in a year. A 12-week focus raises the intensity and reduces the complacency. It gets you to focus on what’s most important with a sense of urgency.

Annual goals are more likely to suffer dips in motivation. This can lead to giving up on the goal until the following year. If your motivation wanes, a shorter 12-week mindset gives you more chances to hit refresh.

Tip #3: Fresh-Starts for your personal brand

The power of “firsts” and temporal landmarks can be found anywhere. Just some of the 86 ideas Pink details in When are:

• First day of the month (12)

• Mondays (52)

• Start of a season (four)

• Your birthday (one)

• Your loved ones’ birthday

• Your work anniversary (one)

• Your graduation anniversary

• Your wedding anniversary (one)

• Your first day back after vacation

Finding fresh starts in your year lies well beyond 1 January. Create temporal landmarks throughout your calendar. And keep your ability to reset your personal brand strong all year round.