Preparing for 2025

Since we’re fans of strategy and analysis, we like to turn the lens on our own company too. As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on a big year of growth and change for 5 by 5 Design and five key lessons we learned along the way. 

We hope these takeaways inspire you and serve as a reminder that now is a great time of year to pause and reflect on your past year as well. What did you learn? What worked and what didn’t? Don’t forget to forgive yourself for any failures. Or if you didn’t have any in 2024, maybe try something more challenging next year. And be sure to celebrate your successes, no matter how small.

Growth is uncomfortable

Doing the same old thing only results in the same old thing. If you want to grow, you need to move outside your comfort zone and try something new. We can say firsthand that’s not always easy. It may require more networking, training, tenacity, and the humbling act of asking questions of others who have already mastered it. However, for the small price of short-term discomfort, you can gain long-term success, which is good for your business, your brain, and your soul.

Prepare for the unexpected

Some of our biggest wins this year were when we decided to make hay when the sun was shining. In a rapidly changing world, you need to take chances when you have the chance, particularly if the stakes aren’t too high or you have a little wiggle room with timing, budget, or a flexible team. To be clear though, we found it helpful to have solid systems and processes in place to act as a safety net to keep things humming. Spending a little extra time on paperwork and preparation can be a lifesaver when you head into the great unknown. 

Stay in your lane

It’s impossible to be all things to all people. Instead, figure out what seat you belong in (what seat you flourish in), then start putting others in the seats in which you shouldn’t be sitting. To be honest, as a lean company of multitaskers and lifelong learners, we haven’t mastered this one yet. It’s become a good exercise in trust and faith. But we’re learning that if you surround yourself with good people, (recognizing that “good people” come in all shapes and forms) and trust them, most of the time things will work out. Will it always be done “our way.” Nope… and that’s ok. 

Let go of what isn’t working

There’s nothing wrong with giving something a solid try, assessing its success, and then calling it a loss and changing plans. That’s a sign of vibrancy and flexibility, not “failure.” Avoid getting caught up in shame and focus on the lessons you learned and the valuable time, money, and energy you’ve freed up to tackle something new. Even the most impeccable business practices and plans outlive their usefulness or become stale, so take time to periodically revisit, refresh, and (if needed) retreat. Sometimes the only way to achieve something new is to clear out space from something old. 

Time is precious 

As we age and continue to balance our 5 by 5 Design work with our families and rich personal lives, we’re constantly reminded that life is short. Even with looming deadlines, it’s important to carve out time to chat with a child for a few extra moments before school, take a parent to an important appointment, ask a client about their vacation, or take a break to simply breathe. None of us can do it all… nor should we. There’s no prize at the end for running yourself ragged. In fact, doing so may simply mean you get to the end faster. Which is why we are happy to grow and move into 2025, slow and steady. 

We wish you all the best in the upcoming year. Happy New Year, everyone!