🪐 The Orbit Newsletter: Issue #1
Oh look, it’s The Orbit, here to save your creative day with tips, tools, and stuff you didn’t even know you needed. Buckle up, it’s about to get good.
📝 Quick Summary:
🖋️ Feature Of The Month: The Myth of ‘New Year, New Me’
🌍 Creative Hacks: How To Set Goals You Might Actually Achieve
🛠️ Toolbox Addition of the Week: Less annoying habit tracking apps
📚 Monthly editorial pick: A must-read book from our team.
📣 Orbit News: Podcast, new collaboration and '’dog ate my homework'’ situation
🖋️ Resolutions We’ll Definitely Stick To (Maybe)—The Myth of ‘New Year, New Me’
Don’t we all crave a clean slate, a chance to rewrite our own narrative? But, be honest, by the time February’s 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. I’ve found myself digging into a rabbit hole of: Biohacking, 5 AM morning routines (?!), ice baths, […]
👀 Creative Hack: How to Set Goals You Might Actually Achieve
Goals aren’t hard to set—they’re hard to keep. And honestly? It’s usually because we try to go from zero to ‘change my entire life’ overnight. Spoiler: That’s 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:
🎯 Make it real: Swap vague ambitions like 'I want to improve my design skills' for something specific and actionable: 'Every Friday, I’ll recreate one ad campaign I love using Canva or Figma.' Practice beats theory every time.
🚀 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 mind—it’s also called ‘manifesting’.
🌀 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 you’ve been daydreaming about—one step at a time.
🛠️ Toolbox Addition of the Month:
So, here’s the thing: we inevitably get sucked into New Year’s resolutions, don’t we? If that’s the case, and you’re 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 you’re really determined to survive beyond February’s magical “I’m giving up already” 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 it’s 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 “quests,” “battle bad guys” (obstacles), and “collect power-ups.”
Annoyance level: Low, with its focus on small victories and a playful narrative.
🖇️ Practical Tip: Hack Your Focus with Focusmate
Accountability changes everything, and Focusmate nails it. It’s 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.
It’s like having a creative coworker, minus the awkward small talk. If the idea of working with a stranger feels too much, no worries—start by teaming up with a friend or your go-to accountability buddy.
👉🏼 You can try it here: Focusmate
📝 Monthly Editorial Pick:
This Month’s Must-Read
Yuval Noah Harari’s 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. It’s 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.
💥 Missed Headlines You Should Know:
Staying Ahead of the Curve: 7 Marketing Predictions for 2025 – Allied Global Marketing
2025 Outlook: 10 Media and Marketing Trends to Watch – Media Now
Predictions 2025: The Media Industry Resolves 2024’s Unruly Unknowns – Forrester
6 Top Advertising Trends to Watch (2024 & 2025) – Exploading Topics
10 Graphic Design Trends to Pay Attention to in 2025 – Graphic Mama
📣 What’s New:
Our Podcast is Coming: We’re launching The Orbit Podcast soon! Expect bold conversations with creatives, industry insights, and a sprinkle of chaos. Stay tuned for the official drop date! 🎙️
Exclusive Member Resources: We’re 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. 🚀
New Collaboration: We’re excited to announce a monthly collaboration with the Creative Parenthood Club! 🎉 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. 🐕💥
🌟 Bonus Content:
Bingo card for “resolutions we didn’t make”
Perfect for kicking off post-New Year design stand-ups or workshops with a laugh!
🔗 Download the bingo card here
🚀 Final Words:
Thanks for joining us on this ride! Whether you’re here for the tips, tools, or a fresh perspective, we’re glad to have you in The Orbit. Got thoughts, ideas, or goals you’re working on? Hit reply—we’re all about keeping the conversation real.
Catch you next time,
The Orbit Crew
P.S Here is a little gift for you, totally free! 👀
Mega Freebie Bundle for Creative
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WE LAUNCHED! 🥳 so proud of us cadets!
finch on 🔝