At Hire Up, personal growth is not a side goal. It is part of who we are. Each year, we intentionally choose to invest in our people, their character, and the habits that help them grow both personally and professionally. This year, that commitment is guided by our company-wide focus on the book Atomic Habits and the powerful idea that small, consistent actions shape who we become.
Instead of creating traditional vision boards focused only on future goals, we are doing something different this year. We are building Foundation Boards.
Why a Foundation Board
The idea behind the Foundation Board is simple but meaningful.
Your foundation represents who you are and what truly matters to you.
Your habits represent the actions you take that support and strengthen that foundation.
Rather than starting with what we want to achieve, we are starting with who we want to be. When identity comes first, habits become more intentional, and growth becomes sustainable. This mirrors one of the core lessons from Atomic Habits. Lasting change happens when habits align with identity.
Our goal this year is to help every team member strengthen their foundation and intentionally build habits that support it.
What the Foundation Board Represents
Each Foundation Board has two main parts.
The Foundation section focuses on identity. This is where individuals reflect on what matters most to them right now. These are not actions or tasks. They are values, priorities, and roles that define who someone is.
This might include things like family, faith, health, leadership, creativity, learning, service, stability, or the deeper outcomes of hobbies and passions. If it feels like something you would say, “This is part of who I am,” it belongs in the foundation.
The Habits section focuses on action. This is where individuals identify the routines and behaviors that support their foundation. These habits should directly connect back to the identity items on the board.
The guiding questions are simple but powerful.
What habits help me show up as this person?
What actions strengthen this part of who I am?
By making that connection visible, the board becomes a living reminder that habits are not random. They exist to support who we want to be.
How the Activity Works
Each Hire Up office has received Foundation Boards along with the supplies needed to get started. Team members are given dedicated time to begin working on their boards together, with flexibility built in depending on office logistics.
Everyone has up to two hours set aside to begin this process. That time is meant to be reflective, creative, and personal. Team members can print photos that represent what matters to them or use magazine images that feel meaningful.
An important part of this activity is understanding that the board is not meant to be finished in one sitting. In fact, it should not be. As the year goes on, new insights, priorities, and habits will emerge. The board is designed to evolve along with each individual.
Leaving space is intentional. Growth does not happen all at once.
A Living Reflection of Growth
The Foundation Board is not about perfection or comparison. There is no right or wrong way to complete it. It is a grounding exercise meant to bring clarity and intention into the year ahead.
As the year progresses, team members will have opportunities to share their boards during meetings, with time to reflect and prepare. This allows space for deeper conversation, connection, and accountability, while honoring that growth looks different for everyone.
Why This Matters at Hire Up
At Hire Up, people come first. We believe that when individuals are supported in becoming the best version of themselves, everything else follows. Strong habits lead to stronger character. Strong character leads to stronger teams. And strong teams allow us to better serve our clients, candidates, and communities.
This Foundation Board activity is more than a creative exercise. It is a reflection of our values. It is a reminder that growth starts from the inside out and that small, intentional habits can lead to meaningful change over time.
We are excited to see how this year unfolds and what our team learns about themselves along the way. This is just the beginning.
