With every New Year, there is a new pressure to hit the ground running. To make the next year better than the last. So, you register for every conference, fill your Kindle library with tons of books, and enroll in pricey continuing education. Maybe the vision you see for yourself at the end of 2026 includes a new job title, a higher salary, and a corner office. But before you sprint into sales strategies, planning sessions, or performance metrics to get you there, here’s something worth remembering: Knowledge is actually free. You just have to get a little creative.
You don’t need a massive budget for formal workshops to start thinking differently. You just need to give yourself permission to learn, explore, and think differently.
Start With Curiosity
Growth can happen without a big financial investment. The only thing you need to dedicate is a little time and patience. We’ll give you a head start with some ideas. Do you have a local library? A smartphone? Social media?
With these tools, you can feed your brain daily—through podcasts, blogs (we know a few), articles, webinars, books, and even five-minute mindset shifts. And it won’t cost you a dime.
Did you know that Yale and Harvard both offer free online courses? Yeah, you can brag about taking Ivy League classes! And Google offers 13 Free Certification courses, too. Our advice? Think of your question first before starting to browse. It may sound obvious, but because there is SO much information out there, it’s easy to doom scroll and get overwhelmed. Here are some topics to think about: Project Management, Digital Marketing, Leadership Skills, Data Analytics, etc.
So if you’re thinking, “I want to grow, but I’m not ready to invest just yet,” we get it. That’s why we’re reminding you that some of the best professional breakthroughs begin with one simple step: get curious.
Celebrate Education Day Your Way
If you need a sign to get started, here it is: National Education Day is January 24th.
Consider this your invitation to commit to learning one new thing this month.
Take 15 minutes to explore a topic. Pick a book, article, podcast or blog to devote your time to in January. Can you block your calendar to read an article in February, listen to a new podcast in March, attend a webinar in April, etc.?
We’ll make it easy for you: Dr. Cindy is hosting a webinar on April 14th. Save the date and check her LinkedIn/Facebook for the registration link!
Put one fresh idea into motion. Then keep the momentum going.
Learning isn’t about checking a box. It’s about expanding and shifting how you think about your work, your team, your leadership, and your impact.
When You’re Ready to Go Deeper… We’ve Got You
When your curiosity turns into commitment, and you’re ready to invest in meaningful growth, Orange Leaf Academy is your next step. You can treat yourself for your dedication to education!
Think of it as your personal growth gym, but with real-world tools instead of treadmills.
The on-demand training was built for modern professionals. You’ll learn how to shift your mindset to improve skills and implement strategies to lead better, sell smarter, and grow stronger.
Whether you’re sharpening your own skills or equipping your entire team, the Orange Leaf Academy is designed to meet you where you are… and help you go further.
Let’s Make Growth in 2026 Uncomplicated
Here’s what we’re inviting you to do:
- Fuel your brain with free ideas first
- Celebrate Education Day by spending 15 minutes learning your topic, your way.
- When you are ready to commit, take a look at Orange Leaf Academy
People tend to think of New Year’s resolutions as all or nothing. They show up every single day for a few weeks and drop off by March, or sooner, because they get burned out. Let’s make learning a habit instead of a resolution. Allow yourself room for grace. Some days, you might want to binge-watch a show instead of reading about data-driven strategies. And that’s okay! Start strategically. Take some breaks. Keep going. And when you need a guide, we’re right here.
Because you know what we say around here…
GROW BIG OR GO HOME®