Holiday Homework: 5 easy assignments to get a leg-up on 2022

Yes, you're going to buy an NFT. But I'll make it easy for ya 💸

Dec 23, 2021

You are reading Social Signals, Greg’s weekly email about creative, technology, and cultural signals worth noting. Today’s email was written to this 5 hour video of Nick Offerman enjoying a whiskey in front of a yule log. If you haven’t already subscribed, there’s a big button right there!

Hopefully you’re getting some time off in the next couple of weeks, and I’ve created some Holiday Homework™️ for you in case you have some the capacity this year – but don’t worry! It’s going to be easy.

I shared a similar holiday break homework assignment back in 2019 and a pandemic-friendly version back in 2020 and got a lot of great feedback on these easy, purposeful couple of things we can all do to help set us up for the new year. Including some couch time, too!

I want to lead with that fact that this advice is directed at white collar knowledge workers who have the privilege of taking some time off. So if that’s you and you can use your time or means to help others less fortunate and privileged while still taking a well-deserved break and doing some of these things below, please do so!

If you are able to take some time off to recharge, here are some suggestions how to spend a little of that couch time to get a leg up on 2022…

UNPLUG: Pick at least two days you won’t check your work email. Delete it from your phone if you don’t have the willpower not to look. You’re on PTO. It’s okay to take TWO DAYS OFF from checking it. Maybe try for five and settle for two. If you’re like me your “surge capacity is depleted” and without recharging, you won’t be ready for next year.
GOAL SETTING: Write down 1-3 goals for Q1. Share them with your mentor, boss, friend, and/or post them online. Accountability goes a long way. Don’t worry about planning for the whole year or making them massive stretch goals. Setting some achievable goals for January, February and March is plenty. Especially in the middle of a pandemic. But be intentional, even if they include things like rest, work/life balance, or resetting habits.
ROBLOX 101: Last year your homework was to try Among Us. This year, if you haven’t already, this is your time to register an account on Roblox and spend at least 20 minutes playing with family and/or strangers on the internet with the purpose of exploring what it’s like to experience a social metaverse game. It’s free, and you can play in a browser, on your phone, or on a gaming console. Don’t be too paralyzed to start; just jump in. Dress your avatar and do some experiences with others. For starters, visit NIKELAND, Ralph Lauren’s Winter Escape, Chipotle’s Burrito Maze, or check out some Tommy Hilfiger swag.
BUY AN NFT: Wait! Don’t worry. We’re gonna make this easy. Spend $9 on an NBA Topshot NFT using a credit card. Even if you’re not into basketball, Topshot is an incredibly accessible way to dip your toes into NFTs. When you’re ready for the next step, download Sweet and buy a cheap NFT using the iOS App Store. When you’re ready for the next step, check out Veve and peruse the Disney, Marvel, Coke, and other collectibles. If you’ve covered those easier and more entry-level NFT marketplaces and think you’re ready for the next step into how NFTs can lead to access, social engagement, and community, here’s a how-to guide for registering a crypto wallet, buying Ethereum, browsing Open Sea and buying + minting NFTs. Fair warning: this step requires a LOT of education, $$, effort, and significant time with questionable ROI. That’s why I started you with a $9 credit card purchase, y’all.
GEN Z SOCIAL TRENDS CRASH COURSE HACK: While you’re doing all the holiday reunions and/or Zooms this year and run out of things to talk about, ask your niece and nephews who their favorite TikTok, YouTube, and streaming gamers are to follow. Ask them to text you their favorites or watch some together. Don’t judge. Don’t play the “I’m old” card, either. Just ask questions and learn. And if you can, play Among Us, Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, or whatever they’re interested in with them. Spending time with young people and genuinely showing interest in what they care about is both the right thing to do and also will help you better understand and be prepared for emerging trends in 2022. Double bonus!

That’s it! Binge a show! Read a book! Play a game! Take a nap! Don’t pressure yourself to drive a ton of progress during some of your only days off during a global pandemic, okay? You’ll thank yourself in January when we’re all back at it.