✅ Today's Checklist: 

• Building a career safety net
• Thania shares how she's starting 2025 off with a career bang
• Recipe of the week: Chicken Katsudon

🤔 Trivia: "Les Fauves" was a name given to a group of artists that also included Matisse. What is its literal meaning of "Les Fauves"? Find out.

🌿 Start the new year right with these 5 easy wellness habits.

🧠 3 soft skills to learn in 2025 that will pay dividends for life.

📅 Stay productive with these adorable seasonal planners that double as wall art.

💔 Find out why January's infamous "Divorce Day" leads to a spike in breakups.

 

The modern career landscape is like playing Jenga—one wrong move (layoffs, downturns, or unexpected life twists), and the tower can wobble. That's why having a career safety net isn't just a smart idea; it's non-negotiable. Think of it as your Plan B (and C, and D), giving you peace of mind while setting you up to pivot, thrive, and stay ahead. Let's build yours.

1. Spot Your Superpowers

Start by identifying your transferable skills. The things you're great at—like negotiating, storytelling, or organizing chaos—can shine across industries. For example, a marketing pro could thrive in business development or content strategy. Tools like LinkedIn Skills Assessment or a quick online course can help polish those gems and make them irresistible.

2. Stack Your Income Streams

Relying on one paycheck? Risky move. Side hustles, freelancing, or passive income streams are like the financial equivalent of bubble wrap—cushioning you when things get bumpy. Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can get you started, or explore passive options like investing, blogging, or selling digital products. Even a few extra hours a week can make a big impact.

3. Make Networking Your Superpower

Networking: It's not just for LinkedIn bragging rights. Genuine connections can fast-track your career safety net. Show up at industry events, participate in online communities, and give more than you take—celebrate wins, share advice, and stay helpful. Relationships built now will pay off later (and not just in job referrals).

4. Save Like a Pro

A financial cushion is like your safety net's BFF. Aim for 3–6 months of living expenses tucked away in a high-yield savings account. Set it and forget it with automated savings, and consider trimming those non-essentials for a while (yes, that means fewer takeout orders).

5. Stay Curious, Stay Ahead

Adaptability is the name of the game. Platforms like Coursera and Udemy make it easy to level up with new skills or certifications. Focus on industries that are growing and keep an eye on trends—you'll always be ready for the next opportunity.

6. Plan Your Exit (Before You Need It)

If your current role feels unstable, don't wait until the writing's on the wall. Update your resume, revamp your LinkedIn, and build a portfolio or website to showcase your brilliance. Bonus points for practicing interview skills before you need them—because confidence is key.

7. Phone a Friend (or a Pro)

Sometimes, we all need a little help. Career coaches or mentors can provide clarity, hold you accountable, and map out your next steps. Bonus: Your current employer might offer career resources—don't leave that perk unused.

Building your safety net isn't about expecting failure—it's about staying ready for anything. Pick one area to strengthen this week, and watch how much more confident you'll feel navigating the unpredictable. You've got this 💪.

 

Kick off 2025 by creating a workplace that's truly inclusive, respectful, and compliant.

Traliant's latest edition of Preventing Workplace Harassment takes training to the next level with fresh, real-world content your team will actually want to watch.

Here's what's new:

Plus, it's accessible for all learners and available in specialized editions for different industries. Whether you're navigating new regulations or fostering a healthier culture, this course is your 2025 game-changer.

See the course in action.

I love the new year. There's something about January that feels fresh, revitalizing, and limitless. I always get this surge of energy and focus—it's like my brain clicks into gear and the world is suddenly full of possibilities. But here's the catch: the years when I don't create a vision board or a solid goal list? Those are the years I look back on and feel like I didn't accomplish much.

So this year, I'm flipping the script. My goal is to get ahead of the next 12 months by starting strong. For me, building my ideal 2025 is all about prepping, planning, organizing, and dreaming big. Here's the plan and I hope it inspires you too:

1. Starting My Brag Book Now

If you don't already have a brag book, let me put you on to something life-changing. It's where you record all your wins throughout the year—big or small. This makes it so much easier to update your resume, crush performance reviews, or just remind yourself how awesome you are.

2. Quarterly Career and Personal Goals

This year, I'm splitting my goals into quarters with a focus for each one:

• Q1 (Jan - March): Grind. Hit the ground running and set the foundation for the year.
• Q2 (April - June): Optimize. Tweak and improve what's working.
• Q3 (July - Sept): Reflect & Recharge. Summer vibes, rest, and recalibration.
• Q4 (Oct - Dec): Grind (again). Close out the year with momentum.

To stay accountable, I'm setting monthly check-ins on my calendar to ensure these assessments happen.

3. Actually Doing My Vision Board

I'll be honest and say that I haven't made a vision board in the last 2-3 years. I've made a "list" to create my vision board, and then it ends up being like April and I forgo the whole thing. So this year, I'm committing to making it on Canva, printing it out to place above my desk and onto the fridge ensuring I have a visual representation of my goals and a constant reminder of where I'm going this year!

4. Setting Up My Desk Nicely

A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. I'm committing to creating a workspace that's inspiring and functional. I'm tweaking my work area to include some under the standing desk cabinets, a new light to help with video calls and a few mounted terrarium plants to bring some greenery in!

5. Organizing My Home to Support My Workflow

Why stop at your desk? A messy house can kill your productivity and mood. This year, I'm focusing on creating systems that keep my space clean and functional. An organized house means fewer distractions, better focus, and less grumpiness which means I need to spend some time this month minimizing my stuff, and making sure everything has a home—very Marie Kondo.

6. Prioritizing Personal Care Goals

I've learned that when I take care of myself, everything else falls into place. For 2025, I'm carving out time for:

• Nails, Facials and Massages: Monthly, because when I feel good, I do better.
• Fitness Goals: Moving my body regularly to be healthy and raise brain cognition.
• Financial Goals: Budgeting smarter, saving intentionally, and planning for real estate investing.

7. Keeping Up with Maintenance Goals

Here's the deal: I always forget this stuff until it's a problem, so I'm scheduling it ahead of time.

• Car: Tires, oil changes, and car washes are going on the calendar.
• Hair: No more going 8 months without highlights—I'm booking those appointments now.
• House Stuff: Chimney cleaning, laundry vent maintenance, window cleaning, and decluttering twice a year are all on my radar.

2025 is all about intention and action for me. By prepping, planning, and organizing now, I'm setting myself up for a year that feels productive, aligned, and maybe even a little luxurious. If this resonates with you, grab a notebook, make a plan, and let's make this our best year yet!

Thania (TA Content Mgr)

P.S. Would love if you replied to this email with something you're doing to build your ideal 2025.

TikTok is a full-blown, lead-generating, sales-driving machine, and if your business isn't tapping into it, you're watching opportunities scroll by. This platform is now one of the fastest-growing ad spaces, and brands are cashing in at a fraction of the cost they'd pay elsewhere.

But here's the catch – January is the sweet spot for paid media. Ad rates hit rock bottom, and your budget stretches like never before. You can snag more eyeballs, drive more clicks, and generate more leads for less. Why? Because everyone else is still in holiday recovery mode, leaving the ad space wide open.

Here's the twist: TikTok might be banned in the US after January. If that happens and you didn't jump on this, well… you'll wish you had.

The good news? TikTok's paying you to test it out.

• Spend $30, get $20.
• Spend $100, get $100.

That's free ad spend to grow your business while rates are at their lowest. TikTok pulls in new customers and readers at jaw-droppingly low CAC (customer acquisition cost), and it works. Period.

Worst case? You walk away with free ad credit. Best case? Your business levels up faster than you thought possible.

Clock's ticking – your move.

Have a recipe you love? Share it here.

🎒 This sports backpack has dedicated pockets for your shoes and ball, making it the MVP of gym bags.

🥜 If you're looking to increase your protein intake, Thania loves these flavored high-protein nut butters from American Dream Nut Butter (use code TATA10 to save 10%).

💡 Give your skin a glow with this red light therapy device.

💼 Simplify payroll, HR, and benefits with Paychex—trusted by over 730,000 businesses for solutions that save time and keep teams running smoothly.

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