...we're about to flip the calendar to 2026! So here's what I want to know. What are you going to do DIFFERENTLY this year? Not the same old "I'll try harder" or "this is my year" stuff. I mean actually different. ....Changed. New approach. And here's the real question... WHY? What are you actually hoping to get out of it? Because if you can't answer that, you're just making another wish list that dies by February....and one more thing. Are you doing this solo? Or are you smart enough to buddy up with someone who won't let you quit when it gets hard? Because accountability changes everything. Drop your answer below. Tell me what you're doing differently and why. And if you're stuck... if you're reading this thinking "I don't even know where to start"... SAY THAT! Because sitting in silence won't help you. But this community will. We all started somewhere. Most of us started STUCK. So, talk to me....talk to US! What's on your mind? Happy 2026. Let's make it count. - Alf

I've been deep in studying what makes some communities thrive while others die a slow, painful death. And I discovered something controversial: The most successful groups aren't the ones with the strictest rules. ..... They're the ones where people feel safe being weird. Let me explain... Everyone talks about "staying focused" and "keeping things on topic" in online communities. But here's what I've noticed: The groups where everyone puts on their "professional mask" and only shares the "right" stuff? ....they become boring. Sterile. Transactional. ...People show up less. Engagement drops. The magic dies. But the groups where people feel free to share their quirks? Their random thoughts? Their authentic selves? Those groups become magnetic. Because here's the truth most people miss: We're not just looking for information or advice. We're looking to BELONG. To be seen. To be accepted. To drop the performance. When someone shares a "weird" hobby, admits they're struggling, or cracks a joke that has nothing to do with "the topic" ...That's when real connection happens. So here's my controversial take: Maybe we've been building communities wrong. Maybe the goal isn't to eliminate the "off-topic" stuff. Maybe the goal is to CREATE SPACE for people to be fully human first. And then the valuable business stuff follows naturally. When people feel like they truly belong, they contribute more. They engage deeper. They stay longer. Question for you: In the groups you're part of (or the ones you run) ...Do you encourage people to show their full personality? Their quirks? Their "off-brand" moments? ....Or are you trying to keep everything "professional and focused"? ...I'm genuinely curious what others think about this. Drop a comment below - especially if you think I'm completely wrong about this.

https://youtu.be/yBQrACPA8QY?si=Feh0MQ_Vf_O4W-C4 I agree with everything Ryan has to say.