Many folks are making predictions for the coming year this time of year, so I thought I’d make a few of my own. With over 20 years working with agency founders, I’m very confident that you’ll find that these predictions will hold up.

1. More change is coming

Sure, the last two years have brought massive change. The way we work and live has changed irrevocably through the pandemic. Social and political upheaval has changed how we see the world and our country. So much so that I’m sick of hearing the word “unprecedented!”

But I don’t see this stopping anytime soon. In fact, I think it might still be accelerating.

The collapse of Crypto and the rise of almost practical AI applications have dramatically changed how I see the near future. How about you?

2. You’ll make more progress than you expect.

There’s a modern maxim that humans overestimate what we can get done in a day and underestimate what we can do in a year. No matter what the economy, political climate, and competitors throw at us, you will make progress if you stay focused. Likely more progress than expected!

3. You have everything you need to meet this year’s challenges

Though much of what’s happening in the world seems out of your control, the impact of most of it on you and your business is minimal. By employing the majority of our energies and talents to solve the problems right in front of us, our businesses and lives will improve. Worrying about things out of our control is a tax on our productivity in the present!

4. Things will take longer than you want them to.

When you plan a client project, the most likely outcome is that it will take longer than you think. If you embark on a change initiative in your own firm, you are likely underestimating the complexity and time involved.

It’s hard to see complexity or to plan for uncertainty. That doesn’t mean it’s not there.

I don’t like it, but after many years of resisting this reality, I’ve decided that fighting with reality isn’t how I want to live. Instead, I’m trying to be patient.

5. I will be wrong

This one is a lock. I’ve been wrong every year of my life so far. I don’t see that trend changing in 2023! So take all of this with a grain of salt 😉.