The beginning of a new year often sparks motivation for self-improvement. According to a Forbes Health poll, 60% of people feel pressured to set New Year’s resolutions. Of these, 37% have specific goals for 2024, and 66.5% plan to set three or more objectives for the upcoming year. This reflects the "fresh start effect"—a psychological phenomenon where significant milestones, like the start of a new year, inspire people to pursue their aspirations. While these moments can provide a great boost, aligning with a timeframe alone isn’t enough.
Personally, I believe that if you recognize the need for change, you should act immediately—don’t wait for Monday or January 1. Often, the disappointment of failed resolutions sets in by December, leaving many disheartened. To avoid this trap and grow as a privacy professional in 2025, here are some practical lessons, inspired by iconic movie characters, to guide you on your journey.
1. Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption: “Get busy living, or get busy dying.”
Lesson: Make plans, not resolutions.
Resolutions without action are just wishes. Treat every goal as a plan with specific steps you need to take. Whether it’s learning new jurisdictions, deepening expertise in your current jurisdiction, acquiring new skills, or building visibility in the data protection field, focus on what you can actively do.
Even genies in stories remind us—they can’t grant wishes about other people. Change starts with you. For instance, if you want to establish a presence in the data protection community, focus on creating engaging, insightful content. Avoid relying on tools like ChatGPT for generic posts—audiences value authenticity and originality.
2. Ancient Knight, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: “You must choose, but choose wisely.”
Lesson: Focus your efforts thoughtfully.
Analyze what you need to improve, and don’t overextend yourself. In my experience, concentrating on one or two well-defined goals is more effective than dabbling in multiple areas. Deep knowledge always outweighs superficial understanding.
For example, if you work primarily in the EU market, enhance your expertise in GDPR, ePrivacy, or the DSA before branching into new areas like the EU AI Act. If you’re planning a career shift, focus on learning the data protection frameworks of your desired jurisdiction, such as Canada or Asia. Jumping between unrelated topics may hinder your ability to achieve real expertise.
3. Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada: “Fashion is not about utility. An accessory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individual identity.”
Lesson: Don’t chase trends blindly.
Jumping into a trending field like AI law without the necessary background or genuine interest is a recipe for frustration. Success comes from consistent effort and passion, not just chasing high-paying trends.
Choose a path that fascinates you. For instance, if you’re drawn to AI law, start by understanding its connection to your current expertise in privacy. A genuine interest in the subject will make the learning process enjoyable and sustainable.
4. Yoda, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back: “Always pass on what you have learned.”
Lesson: Find a mentor, and become one for others.
A good mentor can save you time, effort, and unnecessary mistakes. They’ve already navigated the challenges you’re facing and can provide guidance to elevate your career. Equally, mentoring less-experienced professionals strengthens your own understanding and contributes to the growth of the privacy community.
Rocky Balboa: “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”
Lesson: Use discipline, not motivation.
Motivation is fleeting. Some days, it will simply not be there. Discipline, however, keeps you moving forward. Break your goals into small, manageable tasks, and commit to working on them daily—even on tough days.
This strategy worked for me when I started writing textbooks. I committed to writing just 1–2 pages a day, even when I lacked motivation or felt unwell. Those small efforts added up, and before I knew it, I had completed something significant.
6. Avoid the Pitfall of Thanos’s Quest for Infinity Stones
Lesson: Don’t collect certifications without substance.
It’s amusing—and troubling—to see individuals blindly chasing certifications like Thanos collecting Infinity Stones. Passing a CIPP/E, CIPP/US, or AIGP exam without truly understanding the laws or their practical applications doesn’t make you a professional.
Certifications are meaningless without knowledge. Even if you manage to get hired, how will you perform without a solid foundation? There’s no magic shortcut to expertise—it requires effort, analysis, and consistent hard work.
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