Feeling Janu-worried? Same.

Happy 2025, friends! 🎉 

Or should I say… welcome to December 2.0, where the decorations are gone, the inbox is overflowing, and the “new you” is suspiciously identical to the old one. 😕 

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering: How did I end up here again? And who decided January was the month for ALL the things? Goal-setting. Budgeting. Planning. Oh, and looking effortlessly fabulous on socials while your brain screams “I am NOT okay.”

Spoiler: none of us are okay. So, be sure to check out today’s essay below!

In this newsletter:

• Essay: Janu-worry Survival Guide for Solo Operators

• Candid Calendar: Free Course & Masterclass for Janu-worry

• Blog Resources: New segment with free resources

Janu-worry Survival Guide for Solo Operators

As promised above, here’s my candid survival guide to help you get through the madness without losing your mind (or your Wi-Fi password).

1. Audit your workflows (a.k.a. find the bottleneck… It’s probably you)

You know that feeling when you sit down to work and suddenly remember you’re also the CEO, admin assistant, and chief coffee maker? Yeah, me too. That’s why I’m doing a workflow audit—figuring out how long all the non-client stuff actually takes me and where I can delegate the heck out of it.

Pro tip: You don’t have to be a hero. If someone else can do it better than you with half a brain and half the time, let them. Which brings me to…

2. Hire and delegate like a boss

This year, I’m on a mission to delegate like it’s an Olympic sport. The dream? Handing off all those “important but not me-important” tasks to talented consultants who are basically wizards in their fields.

Because let’s face it: you don’t need to personally organize your Canva folders or perfect that email automation. And you probably can’t do it as well anyway!

3. Audit your tool costs (a.k.a. why do I have 7 subscriptions for similar tools?)

Scary fact: My tooling costs were almost 15% of my total revenue generated last year. That’s why I’m asking the tough questions:

• Am I using this?

• Do I need this?

• Can I split the cost with someone else?

Life hack: If you’re on a team plan, share it with a colleague or friend who also needs it. Shoutout to Jomiro for teaching me this genius move.

4. Clean up your brand assets (because clunky templates suck to work with)

There’s nothing worse than trying to work during a busy season and realising you hate your brand templates. (Cue the rage-quit spiral.)

So, I’ve been updating my designs, tweaking my blog, and making my newsletter look swanky. It’s like cleaning your room before company arrives—annoying in the moment, but future you will thank you.

5. Create a budget that doesn’t make you cry

This year, I’m focusing on clarity. Instead of going on a 24/7 selling spree (thanks, ADHD), I’m figuring out what I actually need to sell each month to hit my budget. It’s all about working smarter, not panic-selling harder.

Pro tip: Take stock of your digital products, set realistic goals, and maybe—just maybe—give yourself permission to breathe.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone!

Real talk: The only reason I haven’t completely lost it is because of the support I’ve found in the Candid Community. From pep talks to practical advice, it’s where solopreneurs like us come to feel less alone in the chaos.

If you’re thinking, “I need that,” now’s the time to join before our Founder’s Pricing vanishes in February. Shameless plug? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.

Your Turn: What’s in Your Survival Guide?

What’s keeping you sane (ish) this January? Hit “reply” and tell me your best tips, tricks, or hot takes—I’d love to hear them!

Let’s survive this month together. Or at least meme our way through it. 💪

Candid Calendar:

There are 2x VERY exciting things coming up in the Candid Community this month — and since it’s Janu-worry we’ve made sure that you don’t have to spend to get involved:

Free Blog Resources:

This is a new section for the newsletter, to make it a smidge easier to find our latest, free resources and expertise advice from our lovely Candid Consultants.

This week’s selection aims to help you kick-off 2025 with less overwhelm:

• Mapping out your Content Calendar - from idea to execution by content marketing specialist Marisa Crous

• An Introduction to Paid Media by performance marketer, Benita White

• Research 101 by educational product expert Dr. Katelin Wall

Good luck with all that “Circling back” from 2024! 😉 

Cands