In this week's issue: With a little planning, 2026 could shape up to be epic. But.. don't discount the rest of this year. So many productivity sites suggest you start right now for your 2026 planning. That's not a bad idea, but don't forget to maximize the time you have left THIS year.

Hey there, amazing Reader:

I was taking a little time to review my 2025 strategic plan recently and was surprised to see I have already met almost all of my goals. A few stragglers didn't quite hit the mark (I wanted more LinkedIn followers by now. #SocialMedia Dreams). But nearly everything else is on track or beyond.

This was the first year I built a full strategic plan—one that I pulled out monthly, updated quarterly, and really used and reflected on to stay on course. Following a plan meant tabling some great ideas for later, but it also kept me focused on the metrics that matter most.

As part of my planning process, I create a yearly theme. That way when I make a major decision, I can ask myself if that decision aligns with my theme. So, this week I started tinkering with theme ideas for 2026.

54 Days

Then it occurred to me... Why am I so focused on maximizing 2026? (Probably because every so-called expert is already talking about planning for next year.)

But we still have solid six weeks left in 2025. Yes, there are holidays and parties and all that present-buying, but that doesn't mean we can't work. Before we jump into 2026 planning, we still have plenty of time to meet this year's goals, before focusing on what happens next.

So I started researching ideas for this newsletter, when I found an article I wrote - exactly one year ago - about end-of-the-year planning. That article was pretty great (if I do say so myself), although it was a little light on the AI references.

So I dusted it off, infused some AI energy, including what tools to use for which task. A great piece to read if you want to finish this year at a sprint. Future you will thank you for the foresight!

Need clarity? Book a free Vision Call and let's talk about what you can get done before December 31.

​

Warmly,
​Monica Poling

PS: While I am a super fan of AI, I am also a big believer in the power of human connection. Meeting my strategic planning goals isn't JUST because of AI. It's also thanks in part to many, many people who have walked me through my epic (and less-than-epic) ideas.

In particular, big thanks to my SCORE mentor Samantha Lapin. No idea if she's taking on more clients right now, but if she is, run don't walk to sign up for a session. (SCORE offers all entrepreneurial mentoring services free of charge. You can also find a mentor in your community.)

Set Up Your End-of-the-Year Plan

Whether you’re focused on deepening client relationships, refreshing your digital presence, or positioning yourself for breakthrough 2026 growth, the next few weeks are the perfect time to stand out now.

The AI Six

AI headlines and what's shifting for creative leaders this week

🟣 OpenAI: Study Reveals Real ChatGPT Habits — Everyday Use Is Overtaking Professional Use — A large-scale analysis found most users turn to ChatGPT for personal tasks and quick learning, rather than business. It shows AI is normalizing in daily life. (OpenAI Blog)

🟢 Indigenous Communities Face Both Big Promise and Big Peril with AI — A new feature spotlights how AI could boost language revival and cultural archiving for Indigenous peoples—but also risks misrepresentation, data exploitation, and widening the digital divide. (USA Today, Nov. 7, 2025)

🟣 Lawyers Turn on Each Other Over Bad AI Work — Legal pros are catching and exposing fake citations from AI tools. Attorneys are publicly shaming peers who use AI to draft filings full of fake citations, sparking a wave of “AI vigilantes” in the legal world. (New York Times, Nov. 7, 2025)

🟢 Amazon Rolls Out Kindle Translate — AI-Powered E-Book Translation for Indie Authors — Amazon’s new AI translation tool helps self-publishers instantly offer books in multiple languages. Expect a ripple effect: guides, museum catalogs, and creative content that could go global with less cost and friction. (The Verge, Nov. 6, 2025)

🟣 Google Launches Gemini API Files — All Your Docs, PDFs, and Images in One Searchable Place — Google’s new Gemini Files feature lets users upload and search across any file type with natural-language queries. For creative teams, it’s “find anything, fast” (like CTRL F, but across all your files.) (Google Blog, Nov. 6, 2025)

🟢 Tech Stocks See Biggest Drop Since April After $800 B AI Sell-Off — Investor confidence in the AI boom wobbled as market giants lost hundreds of billions in value. OpenAI’s finance chief added fuel by hinting the $500 B startup might someday need a U.S. government “backstop.” Translation: even AI’s biggest players are looking for a safety net. (Financial Times, Nov. 7, 2025)

Upcoming Events

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✍️ 11/14 (12:00 p.m. Mountain)
​AI Office Hours: Prompt Like a Pro: Join AI Office Hours and spend an hour with other creative leaders learning how to write stronger AI prompts for better results. Register now (free)​

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