16 ideas to take into 2026
Hey – Rob here.
I don't know about you, but December for me is a trigger month. It's my birthday. Most of my immediate family's birthday (including my late mum). Let's just say the Christmas cheer is not an era I am familiar with.
But I also know generally speaking it's triggering for others, and especially so if you're part of a certain holdco which just slashed a few thousand jobs and plans to reduce headcount by a few more thousands.
So, I thought I'd share with you a list of all my favourite pieces I've written over the past 18 months about mental health, burnout, being more comfortable in your skin, making sense of uncertain situations, and so on.
I hope some of these ideas are useful to you as you think about 2026. And my inbox is open if you want to talk about things. Just reply to this email.
Finding meaning
Control is a scale. And sometimes failure happens despite our best efforts, not because of them. It matters to know the difference.
Soft corporate bullying. I've felt it, you've felt it. Let's call it what it is, and help each other better recognise when it's happening.
The subtle suffering of strategic solitude. When your safety net is pulled from under you, it's natural to feel isolated. This may help.
66 ways to have more fun as a strategist. Even if you are employed but feeling a bit flat, here are a few things to help you feel better.
Embodied practice. The more AI disembodies things, the more we need to find a way to embody how we do our work. Here's a start.
Facing redundancy
The critiques we live by. When I was made redundant, I heard some harsh things which, over time, made me better. A reminder.
Practical advice for junior strategists. Or really anyone who wants to work out how to add value in a deeply contracted labour market.
How to write a strategy portfolio. Some curated techniques from the Salmon Crew to help us all better sell our value to employers.
There are no plans only scenarios. A more a conceptual view on the nature of the job market, but a useful reframe at least for me.
Ways to glow solo. For anyone considering starting a micro studio or freelancing, whether by design or because it's your only option.
How to position yourself. A documentation of previous positioning work I did for myself, which has now changed. But there's a lesson there too: your positioning should also adapt to the market reality.
Finding yourself
Anxiety as fuel. It's a trope to say all those intense emotions can be channelled to something productive. But it's also useful... in time.
From burnout to beauty. My burnout episodes used to happen a bit like market crashes: cyclical inevitable shocks. Some notes to self.
The long and short of neurodivergence. In which I reflect on how what makes you "very you" is actually a strength, not a weakness.
Five short things on grief. In honour of my mum. Hopefully useful even if you've not lost a parent. Grief can take many twisted forms.
Notes on the inner world of worries. A medium-sized reflection on how my relationship with my own worries has evolved over time.
The newsletter will be back in 2026, with a few new editorial ideas that I think you'll enjoy. Take care of yourself, and those around you, out there.
Keep swimming,
Rob
