"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
Every board game has at least one rule someone learned wrong along the way.
Mulligans, redos, extra turns, draw a new card in protest … # 😤
Creative has its own set of “house rules” repeated in Threads and LinkedIn posts until everyone just starts to play along.
One of the most popular right now:
“If we ‘design’ something in Canva or with AI, we own it.”
❌ FALSE
DIY tools almost always grant usage rights, not exclusive ownership.
Canva templates, graphics and photos are licensed to many users. And AI-generated creative work exists entirely in the public domain.
You can use the designs, photos, graphics, etc. … but you can’t control, protect, sell, or defend them.
***
Another common one:
“We really just need an updated design, not a content overhaul.”
❌ UNLIKELY
Good design just hides messaging problems longer.
Strong branding only works when your visuals AND content back each other up.
When they don’t, prospects get confused and hesitate. And that’s all it takes for you to lose a sale in 2026.
***
And my personal bugaboo:
“We hired an agency to build us our own custom workspace on … ”
❌ NOT EXACTLY
All-in-one platforms like GoHighLevel and HubSpot sell convenience … NOT ownership.
You can edit copy.
Swap images.
Add pages.
Compile a CRM.
Adjust workflows.
But the system underneath (ie. your custom workspace) belongs solely to them.
Your website, email templates, workflows, automations, portals, etc. live inside the platform’s ecosystem. You’re just leasing space there.
If you leave, you can’t take the system setup (or designs) with you. You have to rebuild it from scratch.
***
So as we kick off the new year, take a quick brand inventory and ask:
Do we actually own any of this?
How clear is our messaging to people outside our office?
If this tool disappeared (or became unaffordable) tomorrow, what would we have to rebuild?
“House rules” are fine on game night.
But they can be risky when your business depends on them.
Make sure you know the facts … before you go all-in.
***
♟️YOUR MOVE:
If a dream client landed on your website today, would they trust you … or click away without a second thought? Our Website Trust Snapshot reveals the problems you’re too close to spot — and what to fix first.
See your scores: Website Trust Snapshot
Built to Solve.
The best AI tools don’t overwhelm. They get out of your way.
And my friend Kate just built a brilliant shortcut: an AI workflow finder that actually thinks like you do.
Tell it the problem you're trying to solve
Get 3 plug-and-play workflows — instantly
Skip the prompt writing burn-out
With 300+ ready-to-run automations built in, you can stop duct-taping workflows together and start moving forward like a pro.
PS: This is how smart operators scale. Not by doing more, but by doing less; better — and faster.
What do Tom Brady, Alex Hormozi, and Jay Shetty all have in common?
They all have newsletters.
If you’re building a personal brand, social can only take you so far. Algorithms glitch. Reach tanks. But a newsletter gives you real ownership and revenue.
That’s why we built a free 5-day email course that shows you how to grow and monetize with sponsorships, digital products, and B2B services.
Usually we charge $97, but for the next 24 hours it’s free. Sign up for the course today.
Victory Points
By: Mike Shary
My board-game-loving, copywriter extraordinaire and mentor, Dad ❤️
Weirdly named Dorf Romantik (#affiliate) is a cooperative, addictive tile-laying game where up to six players slowly grow a shared countryside of fields, forests, rivers, and tracks.
And every single person we’ve ever introduced to Dorf absolutely loves it.
On your turn, you simply draw a hex tile and decide where it belongs. Maybe you extend a wheat field, curve a river around a village, or stretch a rail line through the hills.
Some tiles carry little tasks that ask for a certain size of forest or town. Complete them and you gain more tiles to keep the world expanding and your score climbing.
Over time, you aren’t just trying to solve this session. You are trying to beat your own history and see what else the campaign will reveal.
As your scores increase, the game reveals sealed boxes that add new tiles, rules, and little surprises, so every few plays the puzzle changes and rewards you for coming back.
Nothing attacks you. There is no timer. The only real tension comes from answering the question, “Where does this piece make the most sense?”
Failure to plan ahead can cripple your team. One awkward placement can box you in. But thoughtful moves can connect several areas at once and suddenly the whole map looks smarter, more intentional, more beautiful.
Your brand works the same way. A logo, a tagline, a landing page, a social profile, a welcome email, a case study. On their own, each one is like a single tile. But when a brand strategist helps you place them with purpose, they unite to form a single picture that feels obvious and right to your ideal clients and boosts your reputation and results.
If you enjoy relaxed games with steady unlocks and the quiet thrill of chasing a better score, Dorf Romantik will be a rewarding addition to your collection … and a guaranteed hit on game nights.
Happy New Year, everyone. Make it a great week! 🙌
Ready for Expert Help?
15 minutes of quick, no-pressure clarity. I’ll pinpoint one thing holding your brand back, and how to fix it. For founders who want actionable, expert insight.
Our signature service. We build your high-converting brand and website: strategy, design, tech, and messaging. For business owners who want fast results, without DIY guesswork.
You received this email because you're a client of Premier Designs or subscribed to the Monday Mantra newsletter. Update your preferences or unsubscribe anytime. The links in our “Victory Points” section are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase.
