As we move closer to the new year, this daily mission challenge is about intention, possibility, and giving yourself permission to begin again. A new year does not require a full overhaul or a dramatic change. Sometimes it simply asks for one thoughtful step in a new direction. Today is about choosing that step.
Start by doing something that feels just slightly outside your routine. This could mean testing a new material you have been curious about but have not yet touched. Maybe it is a new filament, a different wood, a finish you have never tried, or a blank that has been sitting untouched on a shelf. Approach it with curiosity rather than expectation. The goal is not perfection. The goal is learning and momentum.
If materials are not calling to you today, consider your opportunities instead. Look into applying for a new market, fair, or event in the coming year. Even if it feels early or intimidating, the act of applying shifts your mindset forward. It places you in a space of growth and possibility. Researching events, deadlines, and requirements is a powerful way to remind yourself that your work deserves new audiences.
Another option for this challenge is to revisit a piece of equipment you already own and use it differently. Try a setting you have not used before. Experiment with scale, speed, pressure, or layering. Sometimes a fresh start does not come from something new, but from seeing what you already have through a new lens. If you are in a season where it makes sense, this could also be the moment to invest in a new tool or machine that supports where you want to go next rather than where you have been.
As you work through today’s mission, reflect on what you want the new year to feel like. Not just what you want to accomplish, but how you want to move through your creative days. Do you want more ease. More confidence. More experimentation. Let that feeling guide the choice you make today.
To set yourself up for a successful new year, focus on clarity over quantity. Choose fewer goals but give them intention. Build systems that support consistency rather than bursts of energy. Pay attention to what drains you and what fuels you. The work that feels aligned is often the work that lasts.
A few best practices to carry into the new year:
- Make space in your workspace and your schedule before adding more
- Track what works so you can repeat it with confidence
- Allow room for experimentation without pressure to monetize everything
- Celebrate progress even when it feels small
Your challenge today is to take one step that signals a fresh start. Try something new. Apply for something bigger. Reimagine something familiar. Then share what you chose and why. The new year does not begin on the calendar. It begins the moment you decide to move forward with intention.