đȘ The Orbit Newsletter: Issue #1
Oh look, itâs The Orbit, here to save your creative day with tips, tools, and stuff you didnât even know you needed. Buckle up, itâs about to get good.
đ Quick Summary:
đïž Feature Of The Month: The Myth of âNew Year, New Meâ
đ Creative Hacks: How To Set Goals You Might Actually Achieve
đ ïž Toolbox Addition of the Week: Less annoying habit tracking apps
đ Monthly editorial pick: A must-read book from our team.
đŁ Orbit News: Podcast, new collaboration and 'âdog ate my homework'â situation
đïž Resolutions Weâll Definitely Stick To (Maybe)âThe Myth of âNew Year, New Meâ
Donât we all crave a clean slate, a chance to rewrite our own narrative? But, be honest, by the time Februaryâs around the corner, most of these resolutions are left somewhere between forgotten health apps or dust-gathering notebooks.
So, why do we keep setting up ourselves like that? Yeah, it could be a lack of willpower - or a case of expecting too much from ourselves, too fast.
The self-optimisation trend is breathing down our necks. Iâve found myself digging into a rabbit hole of: Biohacking, 5 AM morning routines (?!), ice baths, [âŠ]
đ Read the full article here
đ Creative Hack: How to Set Goals You Might Actually Achieve
Goals arenât hard to setâtheyâre hard to keep. And honestly? Itâs usually because we try to go from zero to âchange my entire lifeâ overnight. Spoiler: Thatâs not how brains (or habits) work.
The trick? Keep it small, keep it clear, and keep it connected to what you actually care about. Like this:
đŻ Make it real: Swap vague ambitions like 'I want to improve my design skills' for something specific and actionable: 'Every Friday, Iâll recreate one ad campaign I love using Canva or Figma.' Practice beats theory every time.
đ Orbit-approved tip: Make your goal impossible to ignore. Write it on your whiteboard, set it as your desktop wallpaper, or even rename your Wi-Fi after it. Let it live rent-free in your mindâitâs also called âmanifestingâ.
đ Keep tweaking: If 'sketch daily' feels like too much, scale it back to 'sketch a new logo idea every Monday.' Adjust until it fits your own aesthetic and vibe.
Small actions = big wins. Build the creative future youâve been daydreaming aboutâone step at a time.
đ ïž Toolbox Addition of the Month:
So, hereâs the thing: we inevitably get sucked into New Yearâs resolutions, donât we? If thatâs the case, and youâre looking to introduce some healthy habits, push yourself to write more on Substack, or step out of your comfort zone and start posting your work on social media, why not give it a shot?
So, if youâre really determined to survive beyond Februaryâs magical âIâm giving up alreadyâ vibe, here are some less annoying apps that might just help you out:
1. Habitica (free with additional subscriptions available)
Habitica turns habit tracking into an RPG game. You create your own character, complete tasks to earn rewards, and even battle monsters. If you skip your goals, your character takes damage. Ooopsie!
Annoyance level: Low, as it focuses on positive reinforcement rather than guilt-tripping.
2. Forest (on iOS itâs a one-time purchase app)
Forest helps you stay focused by planting virtual trees. When you avoid distractions, your tree grows. If you leave the app, your tree withers.
Annoyance level: Low, as it encourages mindfulness in a calm, non-judgmental way.
3. Finch (free with additional subscriptions available)
Finch combines self-care with a virtual pet. As you complete daily goals and check-ins, your Finch grows and embarks on adventures.
Annoyance level: Minimal, since it feels like playing a nurturing game rather than a to-do list.
4. Fabulous (free trial with limited features)
Fabulous offers beautifully designed journeys to build healthy habits. It uses storytelling and a spa-like interface to guide you through routines.
Annoyance level: Low, as its focus is on positive, uplifting reinforcement.
5. SuperBetter (free with additional subscriptions available)
SuperBetter uses game mechanics to help you build resilience and achieve personal goals. You complete âquests,â âbattle bad guysâ (obstacles), and âcollect power-ups.â
Annoyance level: Low, with its focus on small victories and a playful narrative.
đïž Practical Tip: Hack Your Focus with Focusmate
Accountability changes everything, and Focusmate nails it. Itâs a free virtual coworking platform where you get paired with someone for a live, no-judgment work session.
Set up a session (25 or 50 minutes).
Share your goal with your session buddy.
Get stuff done.
Itâs like having a creative coworker, minus the awkward small talk. If the idea of working with a stranger feels too much, no worriesâstart by teaming up with a friend or your go-to accountability buddy.
đđŒ You can try it here: Focusmate
đ Monthly Editorial Pick:
This Monthâs Must-Read
Yuval Noah Harariâs Nexus explores the history and evolution of information networks from ancient times to the age of AI. It examines how information has shaped societies, driven progress, and concentrated power throughout history. Harari goes into the transformative role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in reshaping the way we share and control information. The book also raises important ethical questions about the future of information in a rapidly changing world. Itâs a thought-provoking look at the past, present, and future of how we connect and communicate that also offers valuable insights for communication, design, and advertising professionals.
đ„ Missed Headlines You Should Know:
Staying Ahead of the Curve: 7 Marketing Predictions for 2025 â Allied Global Marketing
2025 Outlook: 10 Media and Marketing Trends to Watch â Media Now
Predictions 2025: The Media Industry Resolves 2024âs Unruly Unknowns â Forrester
6 Top Advertising Trends to Watch (2024 & 2025) â Exploading Topics
10 Graphic Design Trends to Pay Attention to in 2025 â Graphic Mama
đŁ Whatâs New:
Our Podcast is Coming: Weâre launching The Orbit Podcast soon! Expect bold conversations with creatives, industry insights, and a sprinkle of chaos. Stay tuned for the official drop date! đïž
Exclusive Member Resources: Weâre stepping up our game! Paid subscribers will get access to exclusive articles, ready-to-use templates, and creative tools every month. More resources, more inspiration, more Orbit. đ
New Collaboration: Weâre excited to announce a monthly collaboration with the Creative Parenthood Club! đ Expect inspiring and relatable stories from creative parents navigating the worlds of art, design, and parenting. Stay tuned for their first feature at the end of the month.
Andrew (the dog) Ate Our Strategy Board: So if things seem chaotic, blame the cutest team member. đđ„
đ Bonus Content:
Bingo card for âresolutions we didnât makeâ
Perfect for kicking off post-New Year design stand-ups or workshops with a laugh!
đ Download the bingo card here
đ Final Words:
Thanks for joining us on this ride! Whether youâre here for the tips, tools, or a fresh perspective, weâre glad to have you in The Orbit. Got thoughts, ideas, or goals youâre working on? Hit replyâweâre all about keeping the conversation real.
Catch you next time,
The Orbit Crew
P.S Here is a little gift for you, totally free! đ
Mega Freebie Bundle for Creative
đ Quick Links:
Follow us on Instagram
Check our LinkedIn profile
We also try to post on TikTok
đ Still Not Subscribed?
Letâs be realâyou know you want more. Donât miss out on exclusive content, killer tips, insider creative knowledge and free resources. Hit that subscribe button and join the coolest orbit in the galaxy. đ
Because, honestly, FOMO is real and you deserve better. đ„
WE LAUNCHED! đ„ł so proud of us cadets!
finch on đ